What is the Tashahhud and what do I say?
The Tashahhud is the testimony you recite while sitting in prayer, starting "At-tahiyyatu lillahi". In a two-rakat prayer you recite it once at the end; in three and four-rakat prayers you also recite it after the second rakat. In the final sitting, you follow it with the salawat on the Prophet (peace be upon him).
By Benjamin · Last updated
The Tashahhud, phrase by phrase
While saying "Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah", many raise the right index finger as a sign of the oneness of Allah.
Phrase 1
التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ
At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat
All greetings, prayers, and good things are for Allah
Phrase 2
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
As-salamu 'alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings
Phrase 3
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ
As-salamu 'alayna wa 'ala 'ibadillahis-salihin
Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah
Phrase 4
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah
I bear witness that there is no god but Allah
Phrase 5
وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh
And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger
The salawat (Durood Ibrahim)
Recited after the Tashahhud in the final sitting only. While you learn it, the short salawat "Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad" is enough to begin.
Line 1
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala aali Muhammad
O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad
Line 2
كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ
Kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala aali Ibrahim
As You sent prayers upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim
Line 3
إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Innaka Hamidun Majeed
Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious
Line 4
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
Allahumma barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala aali Muhammad
O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad
Line 5
كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ
Kama barakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala aali Ibrahim
As You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim
Line 6
إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Innaka Hamidun Majeed
Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious
When to recite it
- Fajr (2 rakat): once, after the second rakat, then the salawat and salam.
- Maghrib (3 rakat): the Tashahhud only after the second rakat; the Tashahhud and salawat after the third.
- Dhuhr, Asr and Isha (4 rakat): the Tashahhud only after the second rakat; the Tashahhud and salawat after the fourth.
Learn Tashahhud (At-Tahiyyat) by heart, line by line, with the free memoriser.
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Common questions
Is the wording the same in every school?
There are small differences in wording between the schools, and all of them are authentic. The version here, narrated by Ibn Mas'ud, is widely used.
Do I say the salawat in the middle sitting?
No. In the middle sitting you recite only the Tashahhud and then stand up. The salawat belongs to the final sitting.
Can I make my own dua after it?
Yes. In the final sitting, after the salawat, you can make a short dua before ending with salam.
Practise it with audio
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