While observing prayer behind the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) we used to recite: Peace be upon Allah, peace be upon so and so. One day the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to us: Verily Allah is Himself Peace. When any one of you sits during the prayer, he should say: All services rendered by words, by acts of worship, and all good things are due to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings. Peace be upon us and upon Allah's upright servants, for when he says this it reaches every upright servant in the heavens and the earth. (And say further): I testify that there is no god but Allah and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. Then he may choose any supplication which pleases him and offer it.
The Book of Prayers - Sahih Muslim 402 a
This narration from Sahih Muslim provides crucial guidance on the proper manner of recitation during the sitting position (tashahhud) in prayer. The Prophet (ﷺ) corrected the Companions' previous practice of saying "Peace be upon Allah," explaining that Allah is Himself As-Salam (The Source of Peace), thus such a supplication is inappropriate toward the Divine Essence.
Scholarly Commentary on the Tashahhud
The prescribed formula begins with "At-tahiyyatu lillah" - all forms of greeting, worship, and goodness belong exclusively to Allah, affirming that all sanctity and reverence are due to Him alone. This establishes the fundamental principle of tawhid in worship.
"As-salamu 'alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu" offers peace specifically to the Prophet (ﷺ), demonstrating the honored status of the Prophet while maintaining proper theological boundaries. The extension of peace to "Allah's upright servants" in heavens and earth encompasses angels, righteous jinn, and believing humans, creating spiritual unity across creation.
The Testimony of Faith
The twin testimony "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger" constitutes the core of Islamic belief. Classical scholars emphasize that describing Muhammad as "servant" before "Messenger" highlights the perfect balance between honoring his status and maintaining Allah's transcendence.
Legal and Spiritual Implications
This hadith establishes the obligatory nature of this specific tashahhud formulation in prayer. The permission to follow with personal supplications demonstrates Islam's balance between prescribed worship and personal connection with Allah. Scholars note that the phrase "reaches every upright servant" indicates the spiritual reality of the Muslim ummah's interconnectedness during prayer.