"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught us to say when we sat following two rak'ahs: 'At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat, as-salamu 'alaika ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatAllahi wa baraktuhu. As-salamu 'alaina wa 'ala 'ibad illahis-salihin, ashahdu an la illaha ill-Allah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluhu (Allah compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah (SWT) and his blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah (SWT). I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger).'"
The Book of The At-Tatbiq (Clasping One's Hands Together)
Sunan an-Nasa'i 1162
Hadith Text
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught us to say when we sat following two rak'ahs: 'At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat, as-salamu 'alaika ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatAllahi wa baraktuhu. As-salamu 'alaina wa 'ala 'ibad illahis-salihin, ashahdu an la illaha ill-Allah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluhu (Allah compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah (SWT) and his blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah (SWT). I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger).'"
Scholarly Commentary
This hadith establishes the precise wording of the Tashahhud (testimony of faith) in prayer, which the Prophet (ﷺ) taught his companions to recite after the first two rak'ahs. The phrase "At-tahiyyatu" refers to all forms of glorification and honor, while "as-salawatu" denotes specific prayers and invocations. "At-tayyibat" encompasses all pure words and righteous deeds.
The salutation upon the Prophet (ﷺ) demonstrates the living connection between the Muslim ummah and their Prophet, even after his passing. The comprehensive peace extended to all righteous servants of Allah reflects the universal brotherhood of faith. The twin testimony of faith (Shahadah) constitutes the foundation of Islamic belief, affirming Allah's exclusive right to worship and acknowledging Muhammad's dual status as both servant and messenger.
Scholars emphasize that this precise formulation represents the sunnah method of reciting the Tashahhud, with each phrase carrying profound spiritual and theological significance. The careful sequence moves from praising Allah, to honoring the Prophet, to embracing the community of believers, and culminating in the fundamental declaration of faith.