Musnad Ahmad

Sayyiduna Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that when we used to sit in Tashahhud with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), we would say, "Peace be upon so-and-so and so-and-so." When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) heard us saying this, he said: "Say like this: «التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلّٰهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللّٰهِ الصَّالِحِينَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ» 'All verbal, physical, and financial acts of worship are for Allah alone. O Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)! May Allah's peace, mercy, and blessings descend upon you. May peace descend upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah and that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is His servant and Messenger.'" When you say this phrase: "May peace descend upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah," it will include every righteous servant in the heavens and the earth."