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Text and translation
English translation
1176. It was narrated that Jâbir said: "The Messenger of Allâh ﷺ used to teach us the Tashahhud just as he would teach us a Sûrah of the Qur'ân: 'Bismillâh, wa billâhi. At-taḥiyyâtu lillâhi waṣ-salawâtu waṭ-ṭayyibât, as-salâmu 'alaika ayyuhan-Nabîyyu wa rahmat-Allâhi wa barakâtuhu. As-salâmu 'alaina wa 'ala 'ibâd illâhiṣ-sâliḥîn, wa ashhadu anna Muḥammadan 'abduhu wa rasûluh. A'sal Allâh-jannah wa a'ûdhu Billâhi min annâr' (In the name of Allâh and by the help of Allâh. All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allâh. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allâh and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allâh. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allâh and I bear witness that Muḥammad is His slave and Messenger. I ask Allâh for Paradise and I seek refuge with Allâh from the Fire).'" (Da'if)
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Commentary
1. The various versions of the Tashahhud are similar; there is a slight verbal variation here and there, but there is no difference in meaning.
2. Every Tashahhud comprises three elements: Nobility and Glorification of
Allāh; salutation upon Allāh's Messenger ﷺ and other righteous slaves of Allāh; the Shahādātayn - the two testimonies of faith (the Oneness of Allāh and the Messengership).
3. In the last kind of Tashahhud, there are additions (additional words) in the beginning and at the end. In the commencement, Basmalah, and at the end a plea and refuge-seeking. But the transmitter of this Hadīth, Ayman bin Nābil, is isolated. No one conceded him; hence he is deemed unreliable.
4. In all the various Tashahhud, Allāh's Messenger ﷺ is greeted in the form of an address. This is specific to him; otherwise the act of addressing someone invalidates the prayer. It is said that it is merely the mode of addressing; addressing is not the objective. Instead, it is a supplication because the Prophet ﷺ himself too used to recite the Tashahhud with these very words. At the time of reciting those words, one should not have the belief that the Prophet ﷺ is hearing the greeting. Well, if one believes that it is being conveyed to him, then it is a different matter. Likewise, there is also no mention of his returning the greeting.
5. Abduhu wa rasūluh: it follow that from among his superior attributes, these two attributes are most supreme. That is why they have been included in the two testimonies, which is one's proof of Imān or Faith. Being called a slave of Allāh is a supremely great honor. This is the reason why it has been employed in every crucial place; for example look at the event of the Ascension - Al-Isra wal Mi'raj (the Prophet ﷺ Night Journey) in Surat Al-Isra and Surat An-Najm.
