The Comprehensive Praise of Allah in the Tashahhud

Importance of Structured Supplication within Prayer

✿ Prophetic Guidance on Tashahhud​

Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd (رضي الله عنه):
He said: “When we prayed with the Prophet ﷺ, we used to say: ‘Peace be upon Allah from His slaves, and peace be upon so-and-so.’ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘Do not say: Peace be upon Allah, for indeed Allah is as-Salām (Peace). Rather, say:*

التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ”

Then, let him choose any supplication he likes to say.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī & Muslim)

✿ Additional Narration​

Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās (رضي الله عنهما):
The Prophet ﷺ used to teach us the Tashahhud just as he would teach us a Sūrah from the Qur’ān.
He would say:
"التَّحِيَّاتُ الْمُبَارَكَاتُ الصَّلَوَاتُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ لِلَّهِ..."
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)

❖ Core Benefits & Reflections​

① Allah is as-Salām, and Sending Salām to Him is Incorrect
The companions initially used to say "Peace be upon Allah" until the Prophet ﷺ corrected them by stating: Allah Himself is Peace, and He is above needing Salām.

② A Good Imam Should Guide His Followers Accurately
Just as the Prophet ﷺ corrected his companions, so should every learned leader rectify errors in prayer and supplication among their congregation.

③ The Tashahhud Contains Comprehensive Praises and Beliefs
It includes:
– Praise of Allah
– Peace upon the Prophet ﷺ
– Salām upon oneself and all righteous servants of Allah
– The testimony of Tawḥīd and the Prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ
The Tashahhud is a treasure of glorification, invocation, and declaration of core beliefs.

④ Open Supplication is Permitted after the Tashahhud
After completing the Tashahhud, one may make any personal or general supplication, though reciting authentic, reported Duʿās is most virtuous.

⑤ Teaching the Tashahhud is as Important as Teaching Qur’ān
The Prophet ﷺ emphasized memorizing this invocation just like memorizing a chapter of the Qur’ān — a clear indication of its importance.

✿ Importance of Sending Blessings Upon the Prophet ﷺ​

Narrated by Fadālah ibn ʿUbayd (رضي الله عنه):
The Prophet ﷺ heard a man praying during his Ṣalāh without sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ. He said: “This person has rushed!” Then he instructed:
“When any one of you prays, let him begin by praising Allah and glorifying Him, then let him send blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ, and then let him pray for whatever he wishes.”
(Tirmidhī, Ḥasan Ṣaḥīḥ)

✿ The Prescribed Durūd (Salutations)​

Narrated by Abū Masʿūd al-Anṣārī (رضي الله عنه):
The companions asked the Prophet ﷺ: “O Messenger of Allah, how should we send blessings upon you?”
The Prophet ﷺ remained silent for a moment, then replied:
"اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ...
as taught in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim

✿ Seeking Refuge After Tashahhud​

Narrated by Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه):
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“When one of you recites the Tashahhud, he should seek refuge in Allah from four things: from the punishment of Hell, the punishment of the grave, the trials of life and death, and the evil of the Dajjāl.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)

✿ Further Supplication of the Prophet ﷺ​

Narrated by ʿĀʾishah (رضي الله عنها):
The Prophet ﷺ used to supplicate during Ṣalāh and would say:
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from sin and heavy debt.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)

Conclusion:
The Tashahhud is a beautiful and powerful compilation of reverence, faith, and supplication. It is essential to learn, recite, and reflect upon its meanings with devotion and sincerity.

Source:
This content is derived from "Ḍiyā’ al-Islām fī Sharḥ al-Ilmām bi-Aḥādīth al-Aḥkām" by Shaykh Taqī al-Dīn Abī al-Fatḥ, translated by Mawlānā Maḥmūd Aḥmad Ghaznfar.