Every Muslim recites Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu before the ending Salah. It is an obligatory part of Salah, practiced by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and transmitted in Sahih Hadits.
This blog will define the meaning of Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu in detail. We will also discuss its variations and benefits.
Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu in Arabic
التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ، وَالصَّلَواتُ، وَالطَّيِّباتُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ. أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسولُهُ
Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu in English transliteration
Here is the English transliteration of Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu.
At-tahiyyātu lillāhi, was-salawātu, wat-tayyibātu. As-salāmu ‘alayka ayyuhā an-nabiyyu wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh. As-salāmu ‘alaynā wa ‘alā ‘ibādillāhi aṣ-ṣāliḥīn. Ashhadu allā ilāha illallāh wa ashhadu anna Muḥammadan ‘abduhu wa rasūluhu.
Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu translation
Here is the translation of Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu, for better understanding.
All greetings, prayers, and good deeds are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and 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.”
Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu meaning
Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu, also known as At-thaiyaat, is part of Salah and is recited by billions of Muslims globally daily. The dua is a conversation between us and our creator Allah and is done in the last part of Salah called ‘Tashahhud.’
Tashahhud is the last portion of Salah, during which we sit down facing the Kabbah and recite Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu. This is followed by Durood Sharif as Salawat upon the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Salam.
In this dua, we are having a conversation with Allah and saying that everything belongs to him, like prayers, good deeds, etc. In the second part of Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu, we send Salawat upon the Prophet (PBUH) and ourselves. In the last part, we testify that there is no God but Allah, and Muhammad (PBUH) is his servant and last messenger, which is the foundation of Islam and also transmitted in the 2nd and 1st Kalma.
Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu in Hadith
Here is the Hadith with Tashah-hud dua.
Ibn Abbas narrated: “Allah’s Messenger would teach us the Tashah-hud just as he would teach us the Qur’an. He would say: (At-Tahiyyatu, al mubarakatu, as-salawatu at-tayyibatulillah. Salamun alaika ayyuhan-naibiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu, salamun alaina wa ala ibadalillahis-salihin. Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa Raduluh.) —Jami` at-Tirmidhi 290
Here is another Hadith on Tashadhud dua
Hadith: Narrated Ibn Mas`ud: Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) taught me the Tashah-hud as he taught me a Sura from the Qur’an, while my hand was between his hands. (Tashah-hud was) all the best compliments and the prayers and the good things are for Allah. Peace and Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be on you, O Prophet! Peace be on us and on the pious slaves of Allah, I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and I also testify that Muhammad is Allah’s slave and His Apostle. (We used to recite this in the prayer) during the lifetime of the Prophet (PBUH) , but when he had died, we used to say, “Peace be on the Prophet.” —Sahih al-Bukhari 6265
When to recite Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu?
Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu is the prominent dua Muslims recite in Tashad-hud. This dua should be recited in every Salah’s second and last Raakat. However, for the Witr prayer, you can recite Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu in the 1 Raakat if you offer 1 Rakaat Witr.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) taught us this lesson by performing it. Here is a Hadith telling how to recite Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu or Tashadhud.
Hadith: It was narrated that Wa’il bin Hujr said: “I saw the Prophet (PBUH) making a circle with his thumb and middle finger, and raising the one next to it (the index finger), supplicating with it during the Tashah-hud.”—Sunan Ibn Majah 912
Explanation: Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu is recited as part of Tashadhud. The index finger should be raised when you reach the words ‘Ashhadu allā ilāha illallāh.’ Raising your index finger on the oneness of Allah is prescribed by the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
What to recite after Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu?
You can send Salawat upon the Holy Propeht (PBUH) after reciting Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu in Tashadhud. However, there is a Hadith saying that Muslims should seek Allah’s forgiveness from Hellfire, torments of the graves, etc., in the state of Tashadhud. Here is the dua for forgiveness, which you can supplicate after you finish Salah.
Hadith: Muhammad bin Abi ‘Aishah said: “I heard Abu Hurairah say that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: ‘When anyone of you finishes the last Tashah-hud, let him seek refuge with Allah from four things: From the torment of Hell, from the torment of the grave, from the trials of life and death, and from the Fitnah (tribulation) of Masihud-Dajjal.’ —Sunan Ibn Majah 909
The best way to ask Allah for protection from the above-mentioned four things is by reciting ‘Rabbana Latina fid-dunya hasanatan wa-fil akhirati hasanatan wa-qina ‘madhab an-nar.’ —Surah Ash-Shuara Verses 83-85
It is considered the best dua for protection and can help Muslims avoid hellfire. Here is a guide on dua for entering Jannah.
Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu alternative| Tashadhud dua
You might be surprised to learn that there is an alternative version of Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu, known as the Tashhud dua, transmitted in Sahih Hadith.
التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ الصَّلَوَاتُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُالسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُوَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Transliteration: At-tahiyyātu lillāhi, as-salawātu, at-tayyibātu. As-salāmu ‘alayka ayyuhā an-nabiyyu wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh. As-salāmu ‘alaynā wa ‘alā ‘ibādillāhi aṣ-ṣāliḥīn. Ashhadu allā ilāha illallāhu wa ashhadu anna Muḥammadan ‘abduhu wa rasūluhu.
Translation: All greetings, prayers, and pure 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 except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.
Hadith: Ibn ‘Umar reported the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) as saying: The adoration of the tongue are due to Allah, and acts of worship, all good things. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah’s mercy and His blessings. Ibn ‘Umar said: I added: “And Allah’s blessings, peace be upon us, and upon Allah’s upright servants. I testify that there is not god but Allah. “Ibn ‘Umar said: I added to it: He is alone, no one is His associate, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and His Apostle. —Sunan Abi Dawud 971
Which Tashadhud dua should we recite?
Both variations are taught by the Holy Prophet (PBUH), and both are correct. You can recite any of the above-mentioned Tashadhud dua in your Salah. Just to let you know, the first variation of Tashadhud dua is popular among the Muslim community.
Wrap Up
So far, we have discussed the meaning of Attahiyat Lillahi Wa Salawatu —Tashadhud dua. We have also discussed its translation and mentioned Sahih Hadiths transmitting this dua.
We hope you will find this guide useful and will share it with other Muslims.
What else should you know?
Here is a list of a few powerful Islamic terms you should know.