1. The Supplication of Tashahhud (Al-Tahiyyat)
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
اَلتَّحِيَّاتُ لِلّٰهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ... (full wording as in hadith)
Then he said:
"Then make any supplication you like after that. By reciting these words, the Salam of the worshipper reaches every righteous servant of Allah, whether in the heavens or the earth."
(Bukhari: 138, Muslim: 402)
2. Change in Wording After the Prophet’s ﷺ Passing
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud رضي الله عنه said:
"When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was among us, we used to say السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ. After he passed away, we began saying السَّلَامُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ."
(Bukhari: 6266)
3. Meaning of the Two Wordings
- السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ — "O Prophet ﷺ! Peace be upon you."
- السَّلَامُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ — "Peace be upon the Prophet ﷺ."
4. Creed Derived from the Change in Wording
The Companions did not believe the Prophet ﷺ was omnipresent or aware of the unseen. If they did, they would not have changed the wording.
5. Conveyance of Salam to the Prophet ﷺ
Allah Himself conveys the greetings of His servants to the Prophet ﷺ. This proves that:
- The Tashahhud greeting is not evidence for those who recite الصَّلٰوةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ outside Salah believing the Prophet ﷺ hears them directly.
- True success lies in following the Companions, and innovations lead to misguidance.
(Abu Dawood: 2042)
6. Prophet’s ﷺ Practice in the Middle Tashahhud
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would stand up after completing the middle Tashahhud.
(Musnad Ahmad: 1/354, 2834 — Sahih chain)
7. What is Sufficient in the Middle Tashahhud
In the middle Tashahhud, only reciting the Tashahhud is obligatory.
However, reciting Darood and making du‘a after it is also permissible.
8. Permission to Make Du‘a in Middle Tashahhud
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"When you sit after two rak‘ahs, after Al-Tahiyyat recite any du‘a you like most."
(Nasa’i: 1164)
9. Order of Praise, Salat, and Du‘a
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"When anyone offers Salah, let him begin with praising his Lord and glorifying Him, then send salat upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, then ask for whatever he wishes."
(Abu Dawood: 1481 — authenticated by Al-Hakim and Al-Dhahabi)
10. Summary of Rulings
- In middle Tashahhud, reciting only Tashahhud is required.
- Adding Darood and du‘a afterward is allowed.
- In final Tashahhud, Tashahhud + Darood + du‘a are all Sunnah before Taslee
