The Middle Tashahhud in Salah is Sunnah ✍ Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
❖ The Middle Tashahhud is Sunnah in Salah ❖
The middle Tashahhud, though Sunnah according to some scholars, holds a strong position of being obligatory according to others. It is similar in form to the final Tashahhud, with the difference being that if the middle Tashahhud is omitted forgetfully, then two prostrations of forgetfulness (Sujood al-Sahw) suffice as compensation. However, missing the final Tashahhud cannot be compensated by Sujood al-Sahw alone.
This is the opinion of Imam Ahmad, Imam Layth, Imam Abu Thawr, Imam Ishaq, and Imam Dawood رحمهـم الله أجمعين — they considered it obligatory.✳ On the other hand, Imam Shafi'i, Imam Malik, Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Thawri, and Imam Awza‘i رحمهـم الله considered it Sunnah.
However, the stronger and more correct opinion is that of obligation.[Al-Majmu‘: 3/429, Al-Mughni: 2/217]
In the middle Tashahhud, the Tashahhud wording reported from Ibn Mas‘ud رضي الله عنه should be recited. Furthermore, sending Salawat (Durud) in this Tashahhud is also established through authentic narrations.
For more detailed discussion, refer to the previous sections on Tashahhud.
