Tashahhud, Durood and Salam in Salah

Learn the authentic Tashahhud, Durood Ibrahim, final Dua and Salam with verified Arabic, clear meanings and multiple Sahih Hadith references.

What Is Tashahhud?

Tashahhud is the testimony and remembrance recited while sitting in Salah. Its name comes from the Shahadah contained within it: the declaration that none deserves worship except Allah and that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and Messenger.

In a prayer containing three or four Rak‘ahs, there is normally an initial sitting after two Rak‘ahs and a final sitting at the end. In a two-Rak‘ah prayer, the sitting after the second Rak‘ah is also the final sitting.

The final sitting includes the Tashahhud, blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ, supplication and then the Taslim that completes the prayer.

Moving Into The Sitting Position

After completing the second Sujood, say:

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Allahu Akbar.

Meaning: Allah is the Greatest.

Raise the head and body calmly into the sitting position. Do not rush the movement or begin reciting before the body becomes stable.

Place the hands naturally upon the thighs or knees. Sit upright, remain facing the Qiblah and keep unnecessary movement to a minimum.

The Sitting Posture

Sahih al-Bukhari 828 describes the Prophet ﷺ sitting on the left foot in the earlier sitting and using a different posture in the final sitting.

Recognised schools of Fiqh explain Iftirash and Tawarruk with some differences concerning when each posture is used. Follow your qualified teacher consistently and do not argue with worshippers following another recognised method.

The essential principles are:

Sit in a stable position.

Keep the body calm.

Place the hands appropriately.

Recite the required remembrance carefully.

Remain seated until the prayer is completed with Salam.

The Authentic Tashahhud

Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud reported the Tashahhud taught by the Prophet ﷺ. It is recorded in both Sahih al-Bukhari 831 and Sahih Muslim 402a.

Recite:

التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ، وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

Transliteration:

At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat. As-salamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. As-salamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibadillahis-salihin. Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasuluh.

Meaning:

All greetings, prayers and pure words belong to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah’s mercy and blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I testify that none deserves worship except Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.

The Meaning Of At-Tahiyyat

At-tahiyyat includes words of honour, respect and glorification. By saying that all greetings and honours belong to Allah, the worshipper recognises that Allah alone possesses complete greatness.

Was-salawat refers to prayers and acts of worship. They belong to Allah alone and must not be directed towards anyone besides Him.

Wat-tayyibat refers to pure and good words, deeds and qualities. Allah accepts what is sincere, lawful and good.

PEACE UPON THE PROPHET ﷺ

The worshipper says:

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

As-salamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

Meaning: Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah’s mercy and blessings.

This is the wording taught by the Prophet ﷺ in the authentic Tashahhud. It expresses respect, peace and prayer for Allah’s mercy and blessings upon His Messenger.

Peace Upon The Righteous

The worshipper then says:

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ

As-salamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibadillahis-salihin.

Meaning: Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah.

Sahih al-Bukhari 831 explains that when this is recited, the greeting reaches every righteous servant of Allah in the heavens and earth.

This reminds the worshipper that Islam connects believers through prayer, peace and righteousness.

The Two Testimonies

Recite:

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ

Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah.

Meaning: I testify that none deserves worship except Allah.

Then:

وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

Wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasuluh.

Meaning: And I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.

Describing the Prophet ﷺ as both servant and Messenger protects belief from neglect and exaggeration. He is honoured as Allah’s final Messenger while remaining a servant of Allah.

The Index Finger

Authentic narrations describe the Prophet ﷺ indicating with the index finger while sitting in prayer. Detailed methods concerning when it is raised or moved differ among recognised schools of Fiqh.

Follow the method taught by your qualified teacher. Do not allow a secondary difference to distract from the words of Tawhid being recited.

Keep the rest of the posture calm and avoid exaggerated hand movements.

Durood Ibrahim

In the final sitting, send blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ. Ka‘b ibn Ujrah reported the wording taught by the Prophet, recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 3370.

Recite:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

Transliteration:

Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid.

Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid.

Meaning:

O Allah, send Your blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.

O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.

Learn The Durood In Sections

Beginners should divide it into manageable parts:

Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad.

Wa ‘ala ali Muhammad.

Kama sallayta ‘ala Ibrahim.

Wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim.

Innaka Hamidun Majid.

Then learn the second section beginning with Allahumma barik.

Accurate gradual learning is better than rushing through a long passage incorrectly.

Seek Protection From Four Trials

Before ending the prayer, the Prophet ﷺ instructed the worshipper to seek Allah’s protection from four matters. This is recorded in Sahih Muslim 588a.

Recite:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ

Transliteration:

Allahumma inni a‘udhu bika min ‘adhabi Jahannam, wa min ‘adhabil-qabr, wa min fitnatil-mahya wal-mamat, wa min sharri fitnatil-Masihid-Dajjal.

Meaning:

O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hell, the punishment of the grave, the trials of life and death, and the evil trial of the False Messiah.

This supplication asks Allah for protection from some of the greatest dangers facing a human being.

Personal Dua Before Salam

Sahih Muslim 402a teaches that after the Tashahhud, the worshipper may choose a supplication.

Use authentic supplications and ask Allah sincerely for forgiveness, guidance and protection. Details concerning personal language during formal prayer should be learned from a qualified teacher.

Do not rush directly into Salam and lose this valuable opportunity for Dua.

Completing The Prayer With Salam

To complete Salah, turn the head towards the right and say:

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ

As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah.

Meaning: Peace and Allah’s mercy be upon you.

Then turn towards the left and repeat:

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ

As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah.

Sahih Muslim 582 reports that the Prophet ﷺ gave Taslim to his right and left until the whiteness of his cheek could be seen.

The complete wording is also reported in Sunan Ibn Majah 914 and 916, both graded Sahih.

How To Turn For Salam

Keep the shoulders generally facing forward. Turn the head calmly towards the right while saying the first Salam.

Return through the centre and turn towards the left for the second Salam.

Do not twist the whole body, move suddenly or look behind yourself. The turn should be clear but natural.

Remain seated until both greetings are complete.

Common Tashahhud Mistakes

Avoid these mistakes:

1. Beginning Tashahhud before becoming settled.
2. Reciting so quickly that Arabic letters disappear.
3. Changing established words without knowledge.
4. Omitting the testimony of faith.
5. Forgetting Durood Ibrahim in the final sitting.
6. Ignoring the authentic Dua seeking protection from four trials.
7. Beginning Salam before completing the final supplication.
8. Turning the whole upper body during Salam.
9. Saying Salam before turning the head.
10. Standing before the Imam finishes both greetings.
11. Exaggerating finger movement.
12. Arguing over recognised Fiqh differences.
13. Looking around during the sitting.
14. Using unverified or weak narrations as established prayer formulas.

Following The Imam

When praying behind an Imam, remain seated and follow the Imam carefully.

Do not give Salam before the Imam. Wait until the Imam begins completing the prayer and follow without racing ahead.

If you joined the prayer late and have missed Rak‘ahs, rise to complete them after the Imam’s Taslim according to the method taught by a qualified teacher.

A Complete Practice Sequence

Practise outside Salah:

Step 1: Sit calmly after the second Sujood.

Step 2: Position the feet according to the method taught.

Step 3: Place the hands on the thighs or knees.

Step 4: Recite the full Tashahhud.

Step 5: Recite Durood Ibrahim.

Step 6: Seek protection from the four trials.

Step 7: Make another authentic Dua if desired.

Step 8: Turn right and say As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah.

Step 9: Turn left and repeat it.

Step 10: Remain composed after completing Salah.

Final Checklist

Before finishing the prayer, confirm that:

You are sitting calmly.

You recited the complete Tashahhud.

You understood the testimony of Tawhid and Risalah.

You recited Durood Ibrahim in the final sitting.

You sought protection from the four trials.

You completed your Dua before Salam.

You gave Salam towards the right and left.

You followed the Imam correctly.

Your Arabic was calm and clear.

You used only verified authentic supplications.

Tashahhud gathers praise, peace, testimony, blessings and Dua into the closing portion of Salah. Completing it carefully with authentic words allows the worshipper to finish prayer with faith, gratitude and peace.