`Abdullah said, "Whenever we prayed behind the Prophet (ﷺ) we used to recite (in sitting) 'Peace be on Gabriel, Michael, peace be on so and so. Once Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) looked back at us and said, 'Allah Himself is As-Salam (Peace), and if anyone of you prays then he should say, at-Tahiyatu li l-lahi wa ssalawatu wa t-taiyibat. As-salamu `alalika aiyuha n-Nabiyu wa rahmatu l-lahi wa barakatuh. Assalamu `alaina wa `ala `ibadi l-lahi s-salihin. (All the compliments, prayers and good things are due to Allah; peace be on you, O Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings [be on you]. Peace be on us an on the pious subjects of Allah). (If you say that, it will reach all the subjects in the heaven and the earth). Ash-hadu al-la ilaha illa l-lah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan `Abduhu wa Rasuluh. (I testify that there is no Deity [worthy of worship] but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is His slave and His Apostle).
The Incident and Its Correction
This narration from Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) in Sahih al-Bukhari 831 reveals a crucial moment where the Companions, in their sincere devotion, were reciting salutations upon specific angels during prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) directly corrected this practice, teaching them the divinely prescribed format of the Tashahhud. This demonstrates that acts of worship (ibadat) must be based solely on prophetic guidance and not on personal opinion or innovation, no matter how well-intentioned.
The Prescribed Tashahhud: A Scholarly Breakdown
At-Tahiyyatu lillahi...: "All compliments, prayers, and pure words are for Allah." This opening establishes the fundamental principle of Tawhid. Every act of reverence, every form of worship, and every good deed is inherently due to Allah alone. It is a declaration of Allah's absolute right to be glorified.
As-salamu 'alayka ayyuha n-Nabiyyu...: "Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings." This is a direct address to the Prophet (ﷺ). Scholars explain that he is alive in his grave in a life of barzakh that is superior to our worldly life, and he responds to the salutations of his Ummah. This part is a right of the Prophet upon his followers.
As-salamu 'alayna wa 'ala 'ibadillahis-salihin: "Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah." This is a comprehensive prayer for the worshipper and all righteous believers, both in the heavens and on earth. The Prophet's (ﷺ) statement that "it will reach all the pious subjects of Allah" confirms its universal spiritual efficacy, connecting the believer with the entire community of the faithful.
Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh: "I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His messenger." This is the core testimony of faith (Shahadah). The phrasing "'abduhu wa rasuluh" (His slave and His messenger) perfectly encapsulates the status of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)—the utmost honor in his servitude to Allah and his role as the final messenger.
Legal and Spiritual Rulings (Ahkam)
The majority of scholars, including those of the Hanafi, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools, hold that reciting the Tashahhud in the precise words taught by the Prophet (ﷺ) is obligatory (wajib). Reciting this specific Tashahhud is a pillar (rukn) of the prayer; without it, the prayer is invalid. This hadith is the primary evidence for the wording of the first Tashahhud (in the second rak'ah). The wisdom behind this precise formulation is that it comprehensively covers the rights of Allah (Tawhid and worship), the rights of His Prophet (salutations and recognition), and the rights of the believing community (prayers for peace and righteousness).