1. Standing for the Third Rak‘ah
After completing two rak‘ahs and reciting the Tashahhud, when standing for the third rak‘ah:
◈ Say Allahu Akbar while rising.
◈ Raise both hands up to the shoulders (Raf‘ al-Yadayn).
Hadith:
Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما said:
"When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood up after two rak‘ahs (following Tashahhud), he would say ‘Allahu Akbar’ and raise both hands."
(Bukhari: 937)
2. Sunnah Way of Sitting in the Final Qa’dah (Tawarruk)
◈ Extend the left foot forward from under the right shin.
◈ Keep the right foot upright.
◈ Sit on the left hip.
Hadith:
Sayyiduna Abu Humaid al-Sa‘idi رضي الله عنه said:
"When it was the prostration after which there was Salam (i.e., the final Tashahhud), he would bring his left foot out from under the right shin, keep his right foot upright, and sit on his left hip."
(Bukhari: 828, Abu Dawood: 730)
This method is called Tawarruk and is Sunnah.
3. Avoiding Incorrect Sitting
The Prophet ﷺ forbade leaning on the left hand while sitting in Tashahhud.
Hadith:
"Do not sit like this — this is how those upon whom Allah’s punishment descended used to sit."
(Musnad Ahmad, Ibn ‘Umar: 2/611, 2795 — Hasan chain)
4. Reciting the Tashahhud
In the final Qa’dah, first recite Al-Tahiyyat, as in the second rak‘ah.
Keep pointing with the index finger throughout, as per the Sunnah.
5. Sending Salutations Upon the Prophet ﷺ (Darood Ibrahimi)
Version 1 (Sayyiduna Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah رضي الله عنه):
اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلٰى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلٰى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلٰى إِبْرَاهِيمَ... (full hadith in original)
(Bukhari: 3370, Muslim: 406)
6. Another Authentic Version of Darood
Version 2 (Sayyiduna Abu Mas‘ud al-Ansari رضي الله عنه):
(Muslim: 405)
7. Darood for the Prophet ﷺ, His Wives, and Offspring
Version 3 (Sayyiduna Abu Humaid al-Sa‘idi رضي الله عنه):
(Bukhari: 3369, Muslim: 407)
8. Avoiding Additions in Darood Not Found in Hadith
No authentic hadith contains “Sayyiduna” or “Mawlana” in the Darood during Salah.
The Companions were not taught these additions, so they should be avoided.
Statements of Scholars:
- Ibn Hajar رحمه الله: "Following the wording transmitted from the Prophet ﷺ is preferable."
- Imam Nawawi رحمه الله: "The Sunnah form is to restrict to ‘Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad...’ without ‘Sayyiduna’."
9. Virtue of Sending Salat and Salam
Hadith:
Sayyiduna Abu Talhah رضي الله عنه reported:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Jibreel came to me and said: Your Lord says, ‘Are you not pleased, O Muhammad, that whoever sends salat upon you once, I send mercy upon him ten times; and whoever sends salam upon you once, I send salam upon him ten times?’"
(Nasa’i 3/50, 1292 — authenticated by Al-Hakim and Al-Dhahabi)
10. Making Du‘a Before Tasleem
Before ending Salah, the Prophet ﷺ would make various du‘as for forgiveness, protection from trials, and seeking Allah’s mercy — as mentioned in authentic narrations.
