Worship & Rituals
Tashahhud
The seated recitation in the middle and end of Salah testifying to Allah's oneness and Muhammad's ﷺ prophethood ("At-tahiyyatu lillah...").
What is the Tashahhud?
The Tashahhud is the recitation said while sitting in the prayer, in which the worshipper greets Allah, sends peace upon the Prophet ﷺ and the righteous servants, and bears witness to the two testimonies of faith. It is recited in the middle sitting (after the second unit) and in the final sitting of every prayer. It is often called At-tahiyyat after its opening word.
The Wording
One well-known form, taught by the Prophet ﷺ to Ibn Mas'ud, is: "At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat. As-salamu alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. As-salamu alayna wa ala ibadillahis-salihin. Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh" — "All greetings, prayers, and good things are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger" (Bukhari 831).
In the Final Sitting
In the last sitting of the prayer, the tashahhud is followed by the Ibrahimic salawat (sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ and the family of Ibrahim), and then by personal supplication, before the prayer is closed with the salam (turning the head right and left, saying "As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah"). This makes the closing of every prayer a renewal of faith and love for the Prophet ﷺ.
- Recited sitting, in the middle and final sittings of the prayer.
- Contains the two testimonies of faith (the shahada).
- Followed in the last sitting by the salawat and supplication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the tashahhud also called At-tahiyyat?
Because it begins with the word At-tahiyyat ("all greetings/honours"). In many cultures, including Turkish, the prayer text is commonly referred to by this opening word ("Ettehiyyatü").
What is the finger movement in the tashahhud?
While sitting, the worshipper rests the hands on the thighs and raises the index finger of the right hand at the testimony of faith, as taught by the Prophet ﷺ. It symbolises the oneness of Allah (tawhid) being affirmed by the tongue and the body together.
Etymology & origin
Tashahhud (التشهد) comes from the root SH-H-D ("to testify, to bear witness"), the same root as shahada. It is the seated recitation in the prayer in which the worshipper bears witness to the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ, beginning with the words "At-tahiyyatu lillah". It is also widely known by its opening words, At-tahiyyat.
References
- Quran:
- 33:56, 24:61, 4:86, 33:21
- Hadith:
- Bukhari 831 / Muslim 402 (the tashahhud taught by the Prophet to Ibn Mas'ud); Muslim 403 (the tashahhud narrated by Ibn Abbas); Abu Dawud 990 (raising the index finger in the tashahhud)
Related terms
Ruku
The bowing position in Salah where the worshipper bends from the waist, placing hands on knees, glorifying Allah saying "Subhana Rabbi al-Azim".
Sajdah
The prostration in Salah where seven body parts (forehead, nose, palms, knees, toes) touch the ground; the closest position to Allah.
Salah (Islamic Prayer)
The second pillar of Islam: ritual worship performed five times daily, consisting of specific recitations, bowing and prostrations facing the Kaaba.
Salawat (Durood — Blessings on the Prophet)
Invoking blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad, as commanded in the Quran; each salawat brings tenfold mercy from God upon the one who recites it.
Shahada
The testimony of faith: "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah" — the first pillar of Islam and gateway to the faith.