Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil – Discussion on Ṣalāh, Vol. 1, p. 198
It is said that if the second tashahhud is missed, it must be repeated, but if the first tashahhud is missed, it is not repeated. Also, it is said that in the second tashahhud the Prophet ﷺ sought refuge from four things. Is this correct?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd!
Yes, the distinction between the first tashahhud and the second tashahhud is correctly established in Qurʾān and Sunnah:
This distinction is clearly derived from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and is well-known among the scholars.
It is authentically reported that the Prophet ﷺ used to seek refuge in the final tashahhud with these four:
«اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh)
Translation:
“O Allāh, I seek refuge in You from:
① the punishment of Hellfire,
② the punishment of the grave,
③ the trials of life and death,
④ and from the evil of the trial of al-Masīḥ al-Dajjāl.”
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
❖ Question:
It is said that if the second tashahhud is missed, it must be repeated, but if the first tashahhud is missed, it is not repeated. Also, it is said that in the second tashahhud the Prophet ﷺ sought refuge from four things. Is this correct?
❖ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd!
Yes, the distinction between the first tashahhud and the second tashahhud is correctly established in Qurʾān and Sunnah:
✦ Difference Between the Two Tashahhuds
- Second Tashahhud:
◈ If it is left out by mistake, it must be compensated (i.e., it is recited and completed). - First Tashahhud:
◈ If it is missed, one should not go back to repeat it. Instead, the prayer is continued, and the deficiency is corrected by sajdat al-sahw.
This distinction is clearly derived from the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and is well-known among the scholars.
✦ The Four Supplications in the Second Tashahhud
It is authentically reported that the Prophet ﷺ used to seek refuge in the final tashahhud with these four:
«اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh)
Translation:
“O Allāh, I seek refuge in You from:
① the punishment of Hellfire,
② the punishment of the grave,
③ the trials of life and death,
④ and from the evil of the trial of al-Masīḥ al-Dajjāl.”
Conclusion
- First tashahhud: If missed, it is not repeated; prayer continues with sajdat al-sahw.
- Second tashahhud: If missed, it must be recited.
- Four supplications: The Prophet ﷺ commanded seeking refuge from them in the final tashahhud.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
