What is the Tashahhud?
The Tashahhud (التَّشَهُّد — "testimony") is the portion of salah recited while sitting on the ground (qa'dah). It consists of At-Tahiyyat — a greeting to Allah, the Prophet ﷺ and the believers — ending with the shahada (testimony of faith). In the final sitting of every prayer, it is followed by Durood Ibrahim (blessings on the Prophet ﷺ) and an optional dua before Tasleem.
The Tashahhud was narrated by Ibn Mas'ud رضي الله عنه who said: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught me the Tashahhud as he taught me a surah of the Quran, while my hand was between his two hands." (Bukhari 831, Muslim 402)
At-Tahiyyat (التَّحِيَّات)
This is the opening of the Tashahhud, recited in every sitting — both the middle and final qa'dah.
Arabic
التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat. As-salamu 'alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. As-salamu 'alayna wa 'ala 'ibadillahis-salihin. Ash-hadu alla ilaha illallah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh.
"All salutations, prayers and goodly things belong to 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."
Source: Bukhari 831, Muslim 402
💡 Finger position: During the Tashahhud, rest your right hand on your right knee. Fold the ring finger and little finger, form a ring with the middle finger and thumb, and raise the index finger as a sign of tawhid (oneness of Allah).
Durood Ibrahim — Salawat (الصَّلَاةُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ)
Durood Ibrahim is recited after At-Tahiyyat in the final sitting only (and also in the first sitting of 3/4 rak'ah prayers according to the Hanafi school). The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever sends blessings upon me once, Allah will send blessings upon him ten times." (Muslim 408)
Arabic
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ. اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin, kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin, kama barakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid.
"O Allah, send Your blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious."
Source: Bukhari 3370, Muslim 406
Dua Before Tasleem (Final Sitting)
After Durood Ibrahim, it is Sunnah to recite a dua before ending the prayer with Tasleem. The Prophet ﷺ recommended seeking refuge from four things:
Recommended Dua (Muslim 588)
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'adhabi jahannam, wa min 'adhabil-qabr, wa min fitnatil-mahya wal-mamat, wa min sharri fitnatil-masihid-dajjal.
"O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hell, the punishment of the grave, the trials of life and death, and the evil of the trial of the False Messiah (Dajjal)."
Source: Muslim 588 — the Prophet ﷺ commanded this dua to be recited in the final sitting
When to Recite Each Part
2
2-Rak'ah Prayer (Fajr, Sunnah prayers)
There is only one sitting. Recite: At-Tahiyyat → Durood Ibrahim → Dua → Tasleem.
3
3-Rak'ah Prayer (Maghrib, Witr)
First sitting (after 2nd rak'ah): At-Tahiyyat only.
Final sitting (after 3rd rak'ah): At-Tahiyyat → Durood Ibrahim → Dua → Tasleem.
4
4-Rak'ah Prayer (Dhuhr, Asr, Isha)
First sitting (after 2nd rak'ah): At-Tahiyyat only.
Final sitting (after 4th rak'ah): At-Tahiyyat → Durood Ibrahim → Dua → Tasleem.
📖 Note: According to the Hanafi school, Durood Ibrahim is also recited in the middle sitting (first Tashahhud) of 3- and 4-rak'ah prayers. In the Shafi'i and Maliki schools, the middle Tashahhud includes only At-Tahiyyat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tashahhud in prayer?
The Tashahhud is the testimony of faith recited while sitting (qa'dah) in salah. It consists of At-Tahiyyat — a greeting to Allah, the Prophet ﷺ and the believers — ending with the shahada. In 2-rak'ah prayers it is recited once; in 3 or 4 rak'ah prayers it is recited in both the middle and final sittings.
What is the difference between the first and second Tashahhud?
In the first Tashahhud (middle sitting of 3 or 4 rak'ah prayers), you recite At-Tahiyyat only and then stand up for the next rak'ah. In the second Tashahhud (final sitting of every prayer), you recite At-Tahiyyat, then Durood Ibrahim, then the recommended dua, before ending with Tasleem.
When do you raise the index finger in Tashahhud?
You raise the index finger during the Tashahhud as a sign of tawhid. Some scholars raise it at "illa Allah" (the declaration of monotheism); others keep it raised throughout. Both positions are supported by authentic narrations. The right hand rests on the knee with the ring finger and little finger folded and the middle finger and thumb forming a ring.
Is the Tashahhud obligatory?
The final Tashahhud is wajib (obligatory) according to the vast majority of scholars — the prayer is invalid if it is completely abandoned. The middle Tashahhud is wajib according to Hanafi and Hanbali schools, and Sunnah according to Shafi'i and Maliki schools. If forgotten, sujud sahw (prostration of forgetfulness) is performed after the prayer.
What is Durood Ibrahim and why is it called that?
Durood Ibrahim is the Salawat (blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ) recited after At-Tahiyyat in the final sitting. It is called "Ibrahim" because it draws a parallel between the blessings on the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his family and the blessings on Prophet Ibrahim ﷺ and his family — both being prophets of great honour. The Companions asked the Prophet ﷺ how to send blessings upon him, and he taught them this exact wording (Bukhari 3370).
What dua should I read before Tasleem?
After Durood Ibrahim, recite: Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min 'adhabi jahannam, wa min 'adhabil-qabr, wa min fitnatil-mahya wal-mamat, wa min sharri fitnatil-masihid-dajjal — seeking refuge from punishment in Hell and the grave, the trials of life and death, and the trial of the Dajjal (Muslim 588). You may also make any personal dua in Arabic or your own language before the Tasleem.
Continue Learning
The Tashahhud is one step in a complete prayer. Explore the full prayer guide and related topics: