Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil – Discussion on Ṣalāh, Vol. 1, p. 198
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?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd!
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.
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.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
❖ 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
