"Before the tashahhud was enjoined, when we prayed we used to say: 'Peace (As-Salam) be upon Allah (SWT), pace be upon Jibril, peace be upon Mika'il.' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Do not say this, for indeed Allah (SWT), the Mighty and Sublime, is As-Salam. Rather say: "At-tahiyyatu lillahi wasalawatu wat-tayibaat, as-salamu 'alaika ayah-Nabiyyu wa rahmatAllahi wa baraktuhu. As-salamu 'alaina a 'ala ibad illahis-salihin, ashadu an la ilaha ill Allah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluhu. (All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah. I bear witness that that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger.)"
The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer)
Sunan an-Nasa'i 1277
Contextual Background
This narration reveals the early practice of the Companions before the complete legislation of prayer was revealed. They initially offered salutations to Allah and specific angels, demonstrating their reverence but lacking proper guidance on the prescribed format of tashahhud.
Divine Correction
The Prophet corrected this practice by explaining that Allah Himself is As-Salam (The Source of Peace), making it inappropriate to offer peace to Him as if He were in need of it. This teaches us about Allah's perfect attributes and how our worship must align with proper theological understanding.
The Prescribed Tashahhud
The authentic tashahhud contains: 1) Declaration that all forms of worship belong to Allah alone, 2) Salutations upon the Prophet acknowledging his mission, 3) Prayers for the righteous believers, and 4) The twin testimony of faith (shahadah). This comprehensive formula encompasses the fundamental principles of Islamic creed.
Juridical Significance
This hadith establishes the obligatory nature of reciting the tashahhud in its prescribed form during prayer. It demonstrates the principle of gradual legislation in Islam and the importance of following the Prophet's guidance in matters of worship, abandoning any practices not sanctioned by revelation.