The Ettehiyyat (Tahiyyat) Prayer: Recitation and Meaning
In its dictionary definition, tashehhud means “to testify, to sit for a greeting; to request testimony.” As a term in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), it refers to reciting the Tahiyyat prayer, which includes the declaration of faith (kalima-i shahada), while performing prayers. (Kamus Tercümesi, I, 630; Serahsi, I, 27) This prayer is an important supplication that Muslims should recite regularly.
The Tahiyyat, known as “tahiyyatu’s-salat, hutbetu’s-salat” during the Sahabi and Tabi’in periods, was later named tashehhud. (Tecrid Tercemesi, II, 707; Shawkani, VI, 148-149) The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him – PBUH) recited the tashehhud in prayers and taught its recitation to his companions as if teaching a chapter of the Quran. (Ibn Majah, “Iqamatus Salat,” 24)
ETTEHİYYÂTÜ (TAHİYYAT) Prayer: Recitation and Meaning
Ettehiyyâtü (Tahiyyat) Prayer in Arabic
التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ السَّلامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ السَّلامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لا إِلَهَ إِلا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Ettehiyyâtü (Tahiyyat) Prayer: Recitation
According to the Ibn Mas’ud narration (may Allah be pleased with him), which is preferred by Hanafi, Hanbali and Zahiri scholars, the text of the tashehhud (tahiyyat) is as follows:
“et-Tahiyyâtü li’llâhi wa’s-salavâtü wa’t-tayyibât es-selâmü aleyke eyyuha’n-nebiyyü wa rahmetu’llāhi wa berekâtüh es-selâmü aleynâ wa alâ ibâdi’llâhi’s-sâlihîn eşhedü en lâ ilâhe illallah wa eşhedü enne Muhammeden abdühû wa resûlüh.” This prayer is an important remembrance to be recited at the end of prayers.
Ettehiyyâtü (Tahiyyat) Prayer: Meaning
The meaning of the Tahiyyat prayer is as follows:
“All greetings, praises, dominions, verbal, physical and financial acts of worship belong to Allah. O Prophet! Peace be upon you, and may the mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you. 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.” (Bukhari, “Azan,” 148, 150; Muslim, “Salat,” 55) This meaning reveals the depth and significance of the prayer.