"We used not to know what we should say in each rak'ah apart from glorifying, magnifying and praising our Lord. But Muhammad (ﷺ) taught us everything about what is good. He said: "When you sit following every two rak'ahs, then say: 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), then choose any supplication that you like and call upon Allah the Mighty and Sublime with it.'"
The Book of The At-Tatbiq (Clasping One's Hands Together)
Sunan an-Nasa'i - Hadith 1163
Hadith Text
"We used not to know what we should say in each rak'ah apart from glorifying, magnifying and praising our Lord. But Muhammad (ﷺ) taught us everything about what is good. He said: "When you sit following every two rak'ahs, then say: 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), then choose any supplication that you like and call upon Allah the Mighty and Sublime with it.'"
Scholarly Commentary
This noble hadith demonstrates the Prophet's comprehensive teaching of prayer etiquette. The Companions initially performed basic glorification, but the Prophet perfected their worship by teaching the Tashahhud - the testimony of faith recited while sitting in prayer.
The opening phrase "At-tahiyyatu lillah" signifies that all forms of reverence, worship, and pure speech belong exclusively to Allah. The subsequent salutation upon the Prophet acknowledges his elevated status while maintaining proper theological boundaries by describing him as Allah's slave and messenger.
The permission to choose personal supplications after the obligatory recitations shows Islam's balance between prescribed worship and personal connection with the Divine. This flexibility allows believers to seek their specific needs while maintaining the prayer's fundamental structure.
Legal Rulings
Reciting the Tashahhud is obligatory (wajib) in every sitting during prayer according to the majority of scholars.
The first Tashahhud (after two rak'ahs) is Sunnah according to some scholars, while the final Tashahhud is obligatory according to consensus.
Sending blessings upon the Prophet after the final Tashahhud is required for the prayer's validity according to the Shafi'i school.