At-Tahiyyat (Tashahhud): Arabic, Transliteration and Meaning
Quick Answer
At-Tahiyyat (the tashahhud) is recited in every sitting of the prayer: 'At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat...' — 'All greetings, prayers and good words are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings...' The Prophet (pbuh) taught it to his companions as he would teach a surah of the Quran (Bukhari, Adhan 148).
What Is At-Tahiyyat?
At-Tahiyyat (the tashahhud) is recited in the sittings of the prayer. It combines praise of Allah, greetings to the Prophet (pbuh) and the testimony of faith. Abdullah ibn Mas'ud said: "The Messenger of Allah taught me the tashahhud with my hand between his hands, as he would teach me a surah of the Quran." (Bukhari, Adhan 148)
At-Tahiyyat in Arabic
التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ 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 good words are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger."
Where Is It Recited?
- Two-rak'ah prayers: in the single sitting, followed by Salli-Barik and Rabbana before the salam.
- Three- and four-rak'ah prayers: in the first sitting only At-Tahiyyat is recited before rising; in the final sitting the full sequence is completed.
Step-by-step guide: How to Perform Salah.
Other Duas of the Prayer
- Subhanaka — at the start of the prayer
- Salli and Barik — in the final sitting
- Qunut Duas — in the witr prayer
Frequently Asked Questions
Where in the prayer is At-Tahiyyat recited?
In every sitting (qa'dah): once in two-rak'ah prayers, and in both the first and final sittings of three- and four-rak'ah prayers. In the first sitting you rise after At-Tahiyyat; in the final sitting it is followed by Salli-Barik and the Rabbana duas.
Are At-Tahiyyat and the tashahhud the same?
Yes. 'Tashahhud' is the name of this recitation; 'At-Tahiyyat' refers to it by its opening word.
Is the index finger raised during At-Tahiyyat?
In the Hanafi practice, the right index finger is raised at 'la ilaha' and lowered at 'illallah'. It is a sunnah; omitting it does not harm the prayer.
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