"We used not to know what to say when we prayed, then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught us some eloquent and concise words. He said to us: '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)." (One of the narrators) 'Ubaidullah said: "Zaid bin Hammad said, narrating from Ibrahim, that 'Alqamah said: 'I saw Ibn Mas'ud teaching us these words just as he taught us the Quran."
The Book of The At-Tatbiq (Clasping One's Hands Together)
Sunan an-Nasa'i - Hadith 1167
Hadith Text
"We used not to know what to say when we prayed, then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught us some eloquent and concise words. He said to us: '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."'"
Scholarly Commentary
This noble hadith establishes the Tashahhud (testimony of faith) in prayer, which the Companions learned directly from the Prophet (ﷺ). The Companions' initial uncertainty demonstrates that prayer formulas must be derived from revelation, not personal opinion.
"At-tahiyyatu lillahi" - All forms of reverence, sovereignty, and eternity belong exclusively to Allah. "Was-salawatu" refers to specific acts of worship, while "wat-tayyibat" encompasses all pure words and righteous deeds.
The salutation upon the Prophet (ﷺ) acknowledges his living presence in the spiritual realm during prayer. The inclusion of righteous servants reflects Islam's communal spirit.
The twin testimony of faith (Shahadatayn) forms the prayer's spiritual climax, affirming Allah's oneness and Muhammad's prophethood. Ibn Mas'ud's meticulous teaching method, comparable to Quranic instruction, underscores this formula's divine origin and obligatory nature in prayer.