Tashahhud and Ibrahimic Prayer
🔔 Tashahhud and Abrahamic Prayer
Allah says: 🟢 "Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe, send blessings upon him and greet him with peace." 🟢 [Al-Ahzab: 56]
📚 Invocations in this lesson
This lesson covers the Tashahhud (greetings) and the prayer upon the Prophet ﷺ (Abrahamic prayer), which are to be recited in every prayer and are pillars and obligations of Salat.
🤲 ① Tashahhud (Greetings)
Tashahhud is recited in every sitting of the prayer, whether in the first Tashahhud (after the 2nd unit in 3- or 4-unit prayers) or the final Tashahhud.
📖 Full Tashahhud (Ibn Mas‘ud version)
🟢 "At-tahiyyatu lillahi wa-s-salawatu wa-t-tayyibat..." 🟢
🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 In every Tashahhud sitting
| Source | Reference | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Bukhari | 831, 6230 | ✅ Authentic |
| Muslim | 402 | ✅ Authentic |
💎 Merit
"The Prophet ﷺ taught me the Tashahhud, palm to palm, as he would teach me a surah from the Qur'an." [Bukhari & Muslim]
💡 Word meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| At-tahiyyatu lillahi | All greetings and glorifications are for Allah alone |
| As-salawatu | Prayers and supplications |
| At-tayyibat | Good deeds and words |
| As-salamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu | Peace and blessings upon you, O Messenger of Allah |
| As-salamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibadillah as-salihin | Peace upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah |
| Ash-hadu an la ilaha illa Allah | Testimony of Allah's oneness |
| Wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh | Testimony of the Prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ |
📖 Middle Tashahhud (Ibn ‘Abbas version)
🟢 "At-tahiyyatu al-mubarakat as-salawatu at-tayyibat lillah..." 🟢
🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 In every Tashahhud sitting
| Source | Reference | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Muslim | 403 | ✅ Authentic |
| Abu Dawud | 968 | ✅ Authentic |
🤲 ② Prayer upon the Prophet ﷺ (Abrahamic Prayer)
After Tashahhud, it is obligatory to send blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ. This is recited in the final Tashahhud (obligatory for Hanbalis and Shafi‘is, recommended for Hanafis and Malikis).
📖 Full formula
🟢 "Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala ali Muhammad..." 🟢
🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 Once (×1) — in the final Tashahhud
| Source | Reference | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Bukhari | 3370, 6357 | ✅ Authentic |
| Muslim | 406 | ✅ Authentic |
💎 Wisdom
"O Messenger of Allah, how should we send blessings upon you? He said: Say: Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad..." [Bukhari & Muslim]
📖 Short formula
🟢 "Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala ali Muhammad" 🟢
🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 Once (×1)
But perfection is in reciting the full formula.
🤲 ③ Seeking protection from the four (in the final Tashahhud)
After the Abrahamic prayer, it is recommended to seek protection from four things:
🟢 "Allahumma inni a‘udhu bika min ‘adhabi jahannam..." 🟢
🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 Once (×1) — in the final Tashahhud
| Source | Reference | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Bukhari | 1377 | ✅ Authentic |
| Muslim | 588 | ✅ Authentic |
💡 Explanation
| Request | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Min ‘adhabi jahannam | From the punishment of Hellfire |
| Min ‘adhabi al-qabr | From the punishment of the grave |
| Min fitnati al-mahya wa-l-mamat | From the trials of life and death |
| Min sharri fitnati al-masih ad-dajjal | From the evil of the trial of the False Messiah |
🤲 ④ Supplication before the final salutation
After seeking protection, it is recommended to supplicate for whatever you wish before ending the prayer.
📖 Supplication chosen by the Prophet ﷺ
🟢 "Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi..." 🟢
🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 Once (×1)
| Source | Reference | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Bukhari | 834, 6326 | ✅ Authentic |
| Muslim | 2705 | ✅ Authentic |
💎 Story
Abu Bakr asked the Prophet ﷺ: "Teach me a supplication to say in my prayer." He replied: "Say: Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi..." [Bukhari & Muslim]
📖 Another recommended supplication
🟢 "Allahumma a‘inni ‘ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni ‘ibadatik" 🟢
🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 Once (×1)
| Source | Reference | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dawud | 1522 | ✅ Authentic |
| Nasa’i | 1303 | ✅ Authentic |
💎 The Prophet’s ﷺ advice to Mu‘adh
"O Mu‘adh, I love you! Do not leave, after every prayer, to say: Allahumma a‘inni ‘ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni ‘ibadatik." [Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, authenticated by Al-Albani]
🤲 ⑤ The final salutation (Taslim)
After all supplications, the prayer is concluded with the Taslim:
🟢 "As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah" 🟢 (to the right)
🟢 "As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah" 🟢 (to the left)
🔢 Repetitions: 🟢 Twice (×2) — right then left
| Source | Reference | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Muslim | 582 | ✅ Authentic |
| Abu Dawud | 996 | ✅ Authentic |
💎 Ruling
Taslim is a pillar of the prayer. Without it, the prayer is invalid.
"Its opening is takbir, its closing is taslim." [Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, authenticated by Al-Albani]
🎓 Importance of Tashahhud and the Abrahamic prayer
📌 Scholars’ statements
Ibn al-Qayyim:
"Tashahhud is praise of Allah, greeting the Prophet ﷺ, supplication for the believers, and testimony to the oneness and message. It gathers the foundations of faith."
Imam Nawawi:
"Sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ in the Tashahhud is obligatory according to Shafi‘i and Ahmad, and is among the greatest acts of worship."
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymin:
"Seeking protection from the four is a confirmed Sunnah, not to be neglected in any prayer."
🌍 Practical application
📱 How to master Tashahhud and the Abrahamic prayer?
✅ Practical steps
-
First Tashahhud (after the 2nd unit in 3- or 4-unit prayers):
- Say only the Tashahhud (greetings)
- Do not say the Abrahamic prayer
- Stand up immediately after
-
Final Tashahhud:
- Say the Tashahhud (greetings)
- Then the full Abrahamic prayer
- Then seek protection from the four
- Then supplicate as you wish
- Then give salams to the right and left
📝 Memorization plan (30 days)
Week 1: Memorize the Tashahhud
- Days 1-3: Learn the first part (At-tahiyyatu lillahi...)
- Days 4-7: Learn the second part (Ash-hadu an la ilaha...)
Week 2: Memorize the Abrahamic prayer
- Days 8-11: Learn the first part (Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad...)
- Days 12-14: Learn the second part (Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammad...)
Week 3: Memorize the protection supplication
- Days 15-18: Learn the four requests
- Days 19-21: Review Tashahhud + Abrahamic prayer
Week 4: Memorize additional supplications
- Days 22-25: Learn Abu Bakr’s supplication
- Days 26-28: Learn Mu‘adh’s supplication
- Days 29-30: Review all supplications
⚠️ Mistakes to avoid
❌ Mistakes
- Forgetting Tashahhud → prayer invalid (for Hanbalis)
- Not sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ → incomplete prayer
- Rushing through Tashahhud → lack of reflection
- Neglecting the protection supplication → missing a confirmed Sunnah
- Not supplicating before the final salutation → missing a great opportunity
✅ Good practices
- ✅ Memorize Tashahhud by heart
- ✅ Memorize the full Abrahamic prayer
- ✅ Say the protection supplication in every prayer
- ✅ Supplicate as you wish before the final salutation
- ✅ Take your time in Tashahhud
❓ Frequently asked questions
Q1: Is sending blessings upon the Prophet obligatory in the first Tashahhud?
A: No, it is only recited in the final Tashahhud. In the first, only the greetings are recited, then you stand up.
Q2: What if I forget the Abrahamic prayer?
A: The prayer is still valid according to the majority, but you should perform the prostration of forgetfulness if you follow those who consider it obligatory (Shafi‘is and Hanbalis).
Q3: Can I supplicate in another language before the final salutation?
A: It is preferable to supplicate in Arabic, but it is allowed to use another language if needed.
Q4: Should I raise my hands when supplicating in Tashahhud?
A: No, the hands remain on the thighs.
Q5: What is the difference between the first and final Tashahhud?
A:
- First Tashahhud: Only the greetings are recited, then you stand up
- Final Tashahhud: Greetings, Abrahamic prayer, protection supplication, personal supplications, then Taslim
📝 Essential invocations summary
| Invocation | When | Count | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tashahhud (greetings) | Every sitting | ×1 | Bukhari: 831 |
| Abrahamic prayer | Final Tashahhud | ×1 | Bukhari: 3370 |
| Protection supplication | Final Tashahhud | ×1 | Muslim: 588 |
| Abu Bakr’s supplication | Before Taslim | ×1 | Bukhari: 834 |
| Mu‘adh’s supplication | Before Taslim | ×1 | Abu Dawud: 1522 |
| Taslim | End of prayer | ×2 | Muslim: 582 |
📚 Main references
Hadith books
- Sahih Bukhari — Book of Adhan (Tashahhud chapter)
- Sahih Muslim — Book of Prayer (Tashahhud chapter)
- Sunan Abu Dawud — Book of Prayer
- Sunan Nasa’i — Book of Application
Fiqh books
- Zad al-Ma‘ad — Ibn al-Qayyim (prayer chapter)
- Sharh al-Mumti‘ — Ibn ‘Uthaymin (Tashahhud chapter)
- Al-Majmū‘ — An-Nawawi (Tashahhud chapter)
And Allah knows best
Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta ‘ala Ibrahim...
"Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet..." [Al-Ahzab: 56]