Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil – Discussion on Ṣalāh, Vol. 1, p. 198
❖ Question:
In the final tashahhud, one of the duʿās reported from the Prophet ﷺ is:
«اَللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّيْ اَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ …»
Also, Abū Bakr (رضي الله عنه) was taught another duʿāʾ:
«اَللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّيْ ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِيْ…» (Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Adhān; Muslim, Kitāb al-Dhikr wa al-Duʿāʾ).
So should only one duʿāʾ be recited in the final tashahhud, or can multiple supplications be made?
❖ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd!
✦ The Prophet’s ﷺ Command Regarding Four Specific Seekings of Refuge
In Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ gave a clear instruction:
«اِذَا فَرَغَ اَحَدُكُمْ مِنَ التَّشَهُّدِ الْآخِرِ فَلْيَتَعَوَّذْ بِاللّٰهِ مِنْ أَرْبَعٍ: مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ الْمَسِيْحِ الدَّجَّالِ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Vol. 1, p. 218)
Translation:
“When one of you finishes the last tashahhud, let him seek refuge in Allāh from four things:
① the punishment of Hellfire,
② the punishment of the grave,
③ the trials of life and death,
④ the evil of al-Masīḥ al-Dajjāl.”
This supplication is necessary to recite, as it comes with the Prophet’s ﷺ explicit command.
✦ Other Duʿās in the Tashahhud
Beyond these four, it is also Sunnah to recite additional duʿās, such as the one taught to Abū Bakr (رضي الله عنه):
«اَللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّيْ ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِيْ…»
This is also recited after tashahhud and before salām.
Other supplications for forgiveness, mercy, and personal needs can also be made.
✅ Conclusion
- It is obligatory (by command) to seek refuge in the four matters mentioned in the hadith.
- Alongside this, any number of additional supplications may be recited before ending the prayer.
- Thus, the worshipper should not restrict himself to one duʿāʾ only, but may add more from the Sunnah or personal needs.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
