What it is and when you say it
The tashahhud is what you say while sitting in the prayer. It begins "At-tahiyyatu lillahi" and ends with the testimony of faith. This wording was taught by the Prophet (peace be upon him) to Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, who said he taught it to them as he taught them a surah of the Quran.
In a two-rakat prayer you say it once, at the end. In three and four-rakat prayers you say it twice: in the first sitting after the second rakat, then in the final sitting, where the salawat follows it.
Read the full guide: What is the Tashahhud and what do I say?
How to learn it by heart
- Read the whole text once with its meaning, so you know what you are saying.
- Learn one line at a time. Say it out loud until it flows, then add the next line.
- Hide the words little by little: first letters, then nothing. Tap a line when you need a look.
- Use it in your prayers right away. Repeating it five times a day is what makes it stay.
Common questions
What is the difference between tashahhud 1 and 2?
The words are the same. In the first sitting you say only the tashahhud and stand up. In the final sitting you say the tashahhud, then the salawat (Allahumma salli), then a short dua if you like, then the salam.
Is the wording the same in every school?
There are a few authentic wordings with small differences, for example the one narrated by Ibn Abbas, which the Shafi'i school prefers. The wording of Ibn Mas'ud here is the most widely taught. Any of them is correct.
Do I raise my finger?
Many raise the right index finger at "Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah" as a sign of the oneness of Allah. The schools describe it a little differently, so follow what your local imam teaches.
Hear every word
Revertly teaches new Muslims to pray from zero, with a recitation for every line, so you learn how it sounds, not only how it looks. Cannot afford it? Ask for a free code.