“And when he sat after the second Rak‘ah, he sat on his left foot and placed his right foot erect upright.”
Number 7 of Sunan of Prayer
7) Sunan of Tashahhud.
Tashahhud is a position in prayer in which the worshiper sits down after the second Rak‘ah, and after the last Rak‘ah of prayer,
and supplicates with a specific formula referred to as the supplication of Tashahhud.
Prayers consisting of two Rak‘ahs have one Tashahhud at the end of the prayer, and prayers consisting of either three or four
Rak‘ahs have two Tashahhuds, one after the second Rak‘ah, and the other after the last Rak‘ah before the end of the prayer.
Number 1 of Sunan of Tashahhud
1. In the position of sitting for Tashahhud, it is Sunnah to place the left foot flat on the ground and sit on it, and place the right foot erect upright.
This way of sitting should be followed in the position of Tashahhud after the second Rak‘ah of any prayer, whether a two, three or four Rak‘ahs prayer. Abu Humayd Is-Sā‘idiy narrated in a Saheeh Hadeeth,
(Al-Bukhāriy no. 828)
In addition, ‘Ā’ishah, may Allāh be pleased with her, narrated,
“He used to say Tashahhud every two Rak‘ahs, and he used to sit on his left foot and place his right foot erect upright.”
(Muslim no. 498)
As for the Tashahhud at the end of prayers comprising of three or four Rak‘ahs, this will be presented later on.
Number 2 of Sunan of Tashahhud
2. Occasionally alternating between the forms of Sunnah regarding the position of the hands during Tashahhud.
Positioning the hands during Tashahhud has two different forms:
Firstly, Placing the two hands on the thighs.
Secondly, Placing the two hands on the knees, with the left hand placed directly on top of the left knee, and the right fist pointing with the index finger as will be explained later on.
Ibn ‘Umar, may Allāh be pleased with them, narrated,
“When the Messenger of Allāh (PBUH) used to sit for Tashahhud, he used to place his right hand on his right thigh, close his right fist tight, point with his right index finger, and place his left hand on his left thigh.”
(Muslim no. 580)
In another narration it says, “He loaded his left palm on his left knee.” (Muslim no. 579)
Number 3 of Sunan of Tashahhud
3. Occasionally alternating between the forms of Sunnah regarding the position of the fingers during Tashahhud.
Positioning the fingers during Tashahhud has two different forms:
Firstly, To close the right fist, and point with the right index finger, while the fingers of his left hand are extended straight.
This is narrated in the Hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar (ABPWH) mentioned earlier in which he said,
“ … He would place his right hand on his right thigh, close his right fist tight, point with his right index finger, and place his left hand on his left thigh.”
(Muslim no. 580)
Secondly, To gesture with his right hand indicating number fifty-three. This is done by closing the little and ring fingers tight, touching the thumb with middle finger to make a ring shape, and pointing with the index finger. As for the left hand, the fingers are to be extended straight.
This is indicated in another narration of the Hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar, may Allāh be pleased with them both, saying,
“When the Messenger of Allāh (PBUH) used to sit for Tashahhud, he would place his left hand on his left knee, his right hand on his right knee, gesture with the fingers of his right hand to indicate number fifty-three, and point with the right index finger.”
(Muslim no. 580)
Number 4 of Sunan of Tashahhud
4. Occasionally alternating between of the different formulae of Sunnah of Tashahhud.
These different formulae include:
« 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 »
“All compliments, prayers and pleasant things are due to Allāh. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allāh’s mercy and blessings be upon you. Peace be on us and on the true pious slaves of Allāh. I testify that none has the right to be worshiped but Allāh and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.”
(Al-Bukhāriy no. 1202, Muslim no. 402)
« التَّحِيَّاتُ الْمُبَارَكَاتُ ، الصَّلَوَاتُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ لِلَّهِ ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيّ »
“All the blessed compliments and sincere prayers are due to Allah. Peace be on you, O Prophet ...” then he would complete until the end as illustrated in the above formula.
(Muslim no. 403)
« ... التَّحِيَّاتُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ الصَّلَوَاتُ لله ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ »
“All pleasant compliments and prayers are due to Allāh. Peace be on you, O Prophet, ...” then he would complete to the end as in the above formula.
(Muslim no. 404)
Q2-S6
Number 5 of Sunan of Tashahhud
5. Sitting in the form of Tawarruk in the last Tashahhud of prayers comprising of three or four Rak‘ahs.
In other words, the worshiper should sit on his left hip. Tawarruk was reported in different forms, and it is recommended to occasionally alternate between these forms.
Among these forms are the following:
1) To sit while spreading the left leg to the right side below the right leg, erecting the right foot in an upright position, with the buttocks resting on the ground.
This description is reported by Al-Bukhāriy through Abi Humayd Is-Sā‘idiy. (Al-Bukhāriy no. 828)
2) To sit while spreading both legs to the right side, and letting the buttocks rest on the ground.
This description is reported by Abi Dāwood no. 731, Ibn Hibban no. 1867, and Al-Bayhaqiy 2/128 through Abi Humayd Is-Sā‘idiy, and was authenticated by Imām Il-Albāniy, may Allāh have mercy upon them all.
It is however to be noted that according to the preponderant opinion, these positions are not relevant to every last Tashahhud, but they only relate to the last Tashahhud in prayers consisting of three or four Rak‘ahs, not prayers consisting of two Rak‘ahs.
Number 6 of Sunan of Tashahhud
6. Occasionally alternating between the different formulae of Sunnah of the supplications of sending peace and blessings upon Prophet Muhammad
Several formulae have been narrated for the supplications of sending peace and blessings upon Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Tashahhud. It is Sunnah to occasionally alternate between these formulae, some of which are:
« 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 مَجِيد »
“O Allāh, send Your Mercy on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your Mercy on Ibrāheem and on the family of Ibrāheem, for You are the Most Praiseworthy, the Most Glorious. O Allāh, send Your Blessings on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your Blessings on Ibrāheem and on the family of Ibrāheem, for You are the Most Praiseworthy, the Most Glorious.”
(Al-Bukhāriy no. 3370)
« اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّد ،كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، فِي الْعَالَمِينَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيد »
“O Allāh, send Your Mercy on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your Mercy on the family of Ibrāheem, and send Your Blessings on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad, as You sent your Blessings on the family of Ibrāheem, for You are the Most Praiseworthy, the Most Glorious.”
« اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى أَزْوَاجِهِ وَذُرِّيَّتِهِ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى أَزْوَاجِهِ وَذُرِّيَّتِهِ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيد »
“O Allāh, send Your Mercy on Muhammad and on his wives and offspring, as You sent Your Mercy on the family of Ibrāheem, and send Your Blessings on Muhammad and on his wives and offspring, as You sent Your Blessings on the family of Ibrāheem, for You are the Most Praise-worthy, the Most Glorious.”
(Al-Bukhāriy no. 3369, Muslim no. 407)
Number 7 of Sunan of Tashahhud
7. Seeking Allāh’s refuge against four things before making Tasleem (Salutation, the last action in prayer).
This is the opinion of the scholars, may Allāh have mercy on them, supported by the Hadeeth narrated by Abi Hurayrah (ABPWH) that the Prophet (PBUH) said,
“When any one of you completes the last Tashahhud, let him seek refuge in Allāh from four things: From the torment of Hell, from the torment of the grave, from the trials of life and death, and from the evil of Al-Maseeh Id-Dajjāl (Antichrist).”
(Al-Bukhāriy no. 832, Muslim no. 588)
Besides, there are other supplications of Sunnah, and it is Sunnah for the
worshiper to occasionally alternate between these supplications:
« اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ من المأْثَمِ والمغْرَمِ »
“O Allāh, I seek refuge with You from sins and debt.”
(Al-Bukhāriy no. 832, Muslim no. 589)
« اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الجَنَّةَ وَأَعَوْذَ بِكَ مِنَ النَّار »
“O Allāh, I ask You paradise and I seek refuge in you from Hellfire.”
(Abū Dāwood no. 792)
« اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْمًا كَثِيرًا وَلَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَغْفِرَةً مِنْ عِنْدِكَ وَارْحَمْنِي ، إِنَّك أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ »
“O Allāh, I have transgressed against myself and confess my sins, and no one forgives sins but You, so forgive my sins and have mercy on me for You are the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.”
(Al-Bukhāriy no. 6326, Muslim no. 2705)
« اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ ، وَشُكْرِكَ ، وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ »
“O Allāh, assist me to remember You, to be thankful to You, and to worship You in the best manner.”
(Ahmad no. 22119, Abū Dāwood no. 1522 and An-Nasā’iy no. 1304)
« اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْبُخْلِ ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْجُبْنِ ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أُرَدَّ إِلَى أَرْذَلِ الْعُمُرِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الدُّنْيَا ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ »
“O Allāh, I seek refuge in You from miserliness, from cowardice, from senility, from the trial of life, and from the torment of the grave.”
(Al-Bukhāriy no. 6370)
« اللَّهُمَّ حَاسِبْنِي حِسَابًا يَسِيرًا »
“O Allāh, make my reckoning on the Day of Judgment easy.”
(Ahmad no. 24215)
He would then make Tasleem, turning his head to the right while saying { السلام عليكم ورحمة الله } then doing the same to the left. This act of turning the head to the right and left is Sunnah. Moreover, exaggeration in turning the head to the right and left during Tasleem is another Sunnah, as the Prophet (PBUH) used to exaggerate in it that people behind him could see the whiteness of his cheeks. Sa‘d Ubn Abi Waqqāss (ABPWH) narrated,
“I used to see Allāh’s Messenger (PBUH) making Tasleem to his right and left sides until I could see the whiteness of his cheeks.”
(Muslim no. 582)
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