We all recite At-Tahiyat in our prayers at every second Rakah of Salah, but no one knows the importance and history of Tashahhud. Here we learn about the importance and virtues of Attahiyat.  

The Tashahhud is an Arabic word that means ‘testimony’ or ‘witness,’ and it is also known by another name called at-tahiyyat, which means ‘greeting’ or ‘salutation.’

Obligatory Parts of Salah Attahiyat Full:

We are aware of the fact that there are seven mandatory parts of salah or Fardh of salah.

The mentioned above means missing any part out of these invalidates salah. The importance of Aattahiyat can be assessed because it constitutes one of the following obligatory parts of Salah.

1. Takbir Tahrimah

2. Qiyam 

3. Qira’at

4. Ruku

5. Sajdah

6. Qa’dah Akhirah / Tashahhud

7. Salam.

Although we know all these necessary parts of salah and routinely perform all of these elements, have you ever thought about the significance of this beautiful division of salah in these distinct steps? I’m sure you have not.

It’s challenging to cover all these steps in a single sitting, so we will discuss today’s importance of Tashahhud or, more specifically, the significance of Attahiyat, Insha ALLAH.

What is Atthiyat?

Attahiyat is a very important ‘Dua’ we repeat in our daily prayers. It is the specific dua we recite in a prescribed way at the end of the last Rak’ah of the Prayer. A simple analogy can help us understand the importance of Attahiyaat. Every good story, speech, article, or meeting ends at the final and essential note. While salah is a meeting between a man and his Creator ALLAH SWT., it is justified to expect something marvelous to end such a purposeful and extraordinary session. That is why salaah ends with a powerful praise cum dua.

Attahiyat in Arabic:

التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ، وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ‏ وأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

Transliteration-

Attahiyyaatu lillaahi wassalawaatu, wattayyibaatu, assalaamu ‘alayka ‘ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu, assalaamu ‘alaynaa wa ‘alaa ‘ibaadillaahis-saaliheen. ‘Ash-hadu ‘an laa ‘ilaaha ‘illallaahu wa ‘ash-hadu ‘anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasooluhu.

English Translation:

All greetings or salutations are for Allah and all prayers and goodness. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon the righteous slaves of Allah and us. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger.

Meeting of Hazrat Muhammad(PBUH) with Allah:

I am sure that most of us are unaware that Attahiyat is a part of the conversation between Our Creator Allah and our beloved Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) during his journey of Al Isra Wal Miraj!

Yes, it is!

When Prophet Muhammad Sallalahualayhiwasallam met Allah, he didn’t say ‘Assalam Aleikum.’ What is someone going to say when he meets Allah? We can’t wish HIM peace because all order sources are through HIM.

So Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:

“Attahiyyaatu Lillahi Was Salawatu Wattayyibatu” 

(All compliments, all prayer, and worship are for Allah).

Allah replied:

“Assalamu Alaika Ayyuhannabiyyu ‘Warahmatullahi Wabarka’tuhu”

(Peace be upon you, Oh Prophet, and Allah’s Mercy and Blessings).

To this, Prophet Muhammad PBUH responded:

“Assalamu Alaina Wa’ala’Ibadillahis Saa’liheen” 

(Peace be on us and all good slaves of Allah)

Note* Prophet Muhammad PBUH included “us” in his reply… (and on all good slaves of Allah)

And listening to this conversation between Allah and His Messenger PBUH, the Angels said:

“Ash’had’u’un La ilahaillallahu Wa Ash’hadu Anna Muhammadun Abd’uhu Wa Rasooluh”

I bear witness that no one is worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Why is Attahiyat in our Prayer?

SubhanAllah!!!!! Such a beautiful concoction of salutations, Duas, and blessings involving ALLAH, His beloved Prophet Muhammad, and His angels. Even during such an overwhelming conversation, Prophet Muhammad did not forget to mention his ummah and deliver blessings and peace to his ummah.

Now I understand the importance of Attahiyat and this conversation In our daily prayers and how Salah is prescribed.

Indeed, no word is as beautiful as Allah, and no example is as beautiful as Rasulallah(SAW). And No lesson as beautiful as Islam, no encyclopedia as perfect as Al-Quran, no prayer as perfect as Salah (Namaz), no charity as meaningful as Zakat, no diet as complete as fasting, and no song as lyrical as Adhaan. It’s just we who often fail to discover the beauty in every dimension of Islam.

Now it’s your job to pass this message to others and READ THIS DU’A FOR a BETTER LIFE.