Tashahhud

The Tashahhud (Arabic: تشهد‎‎) is the portion of salat (obligatory prayer) where the Muslim kneels on the ground facing Qibla in Mecca.

Origins

There is a Hadith, thought to be authentic (or Sahih) that says:

Narrated Ibn Mas`uud: Ibn Mas'ud is reported to have said: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) taught me tashahhud taking my hand within his palms, in the same way as he taught me a Sura of the Qur'an, and we also read it after his passing away.

Sunni (Hanafi and Hanbali) Recitation

• Sunni Muslims (both Hanafi and Hanbali schools of thought) recite the Tashahhud as:

At-taḥiyyātu lillāhi, wa -ṣ-ṣalawātu wa -ṭ-ṭayyibātu. As-salāmu ʿalayka ayyuhā n-nabīyyu wa-raḥmatu llāhi wa-barakātuh. As-salāmu ʿalaynā wa-ʿalā ʿibādi llāhi ṣ-ṣāliḥīn. Ašhadu an lā ilāha illā llāhu wa-ašhadu anna Muḥammadan ʿabduhu wa-rasūluh.

التحيات لله والصلوات والطيبات، السلام عليك أيها النبي ورحمة الله وبركاته، السلام علينا و على عباد الله الصالحين، أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله، وأشهد أن محمدا عبده و رسوله

This translates as:

"Salutations to God and prayers and good deeds. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of God and his blessings. Peace be on us and on the righteous servants of God. I bear witness that there is no god but God, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger."

Sunni (Maliki) Recitation

• A variant used by Sunni (Maliki school of thought) Muslims is:

  at-taḥiyyātu li-llāh az-zakiyyātu li-llāh aṭ-ṭayyibātu-ṣ-ṣalawātu li-llāh. as-salāmu ʿalayka ʾayyuha-n-nabiyyu wa raḥmat allāhi wa barakātuhu. as-salāmu ʿalayna wa ʿalā ʿibād illāhi-ṣ-ṣalihīn. ʾash-hadu ʾan lā ʾilāha ill-Allāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, wa ash-hadu anna muḥammadan ʿabduhu wa rasūluhu.

  التحيات لله الزكيات لله والطيبات الصلوات لله السلام عليك ايها النبي و رحمة الله و بركاته السلام علينا و على عبادك الصالحين أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له وأشهد أنّ محمدا عبده ورسوله

This translates as:

"Blessed salutations, pure actions, good words and prayers to God. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of God and His blessings. Peace be on us and on the righteous servants of God. I bear witness that there is no god other than God the One and no partner to Him, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger."

Sunni (Shafii) Recitation

• Another variant used by Sunni (Shafii school of thought) Muslims is:

  at-tāḥīyyātu-l-mubārakātu ṣ-ṣalawātu ṭ-ṭayyibātu li-llāh. as-salāmu ʿalayka ʾayyuhā n-nabī wa-raḥmat allāhi wa-barakātuhu. as-salāmu ʿalayna wāʿala ʿibād illāhi ṣ-ṣāliḥīn. ʾashhadu ʾan lā ʾilāha illā -llāh wa-ʾashhadu ʾanna muḥammadan rasūlu -llāh.

  التحيات المباركات الصلوات الطيبات لله، السلام عليك أيها النبي ورحمة الله وبركاته، السلام علينا، وعلى عباد الله الصالحين، أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله، وأشهد أن محمداً رسول الله

This translates as:

"Blessed salutations, prayers, good deeds to God. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of God and His blessings. Peace be on us and on the righteous servants of God. I bear witness that there is no god but God, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His messenger."

Shi'ite Recitation

• Shi'ite Muslims recite the Tashahhud as:

al-ḥamdu li-llāhi, ʾashhadu ʾan lā ilāha illā -llāh waẖdahu lā sharīka lahu wa-ʾashhadu ʾanna muḥhammadan ʿabduhu wa-rasūluhu. allāhumma ṣalla ʿala muḥammadin wa-ʾāl muḥammad. as-salāmu ʿalayka ʾayyuhā n-nabī wa-raḥmat allāhi wa-barakātuhu. as-salāmu ʿalayna wāʿala ʿibād illāhi ṣ-ṣāliḥīn.

الحمد لله، أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له, وأشهد أنّ محمدا عبده ورسوله. اللهم صلى على محمد وآل محمد

السلام عليك أيها النبي ورحمة الله وبركاته، السلام علينا، وعلى عباد الله الصالحين

This translates as:

"Praise to God, I bear witness that there is no god but God the One and no partner to Him, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His prophet. O God bestow blessings upon Muhammad and the household of Muhammad. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of God and His blessings. Peace be on us and on the righteous servants of God."