Recited in the final sitting posture of salah (namaz), the Tashahhud is a declaration of faith and the acknowledgment that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)’s last messenger and the seal of prophets. The meaning of Tashahhud is the testimony of the Islamic faith. Tashahhud, belief in the oneness of Allah and the finality of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as Allah’s last messenger, is an element of unification among all Muslims irrespective of geography. It is the most fundamental aspect of the Islamic faith.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) gave this testimony in front of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) on the occasion of Mairaj. The importance of the Tashahhud, as reported in Sahih al-Bukhari 1202, is such that reciting it is equivalent to sending greetings to every righteous slave of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) in both the heavens and earth. Narrated by Ibn’ Abbas and reported in Sunan an-Nasa'i 1278, Tashahhud was taught to the companions in the same manner as the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) would teach them a surah from the Quran.
Prayer Duas
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.
All greetings of humility 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 us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger.
Tashahhud is recited in the final or last rakah of the salah (prayer) after performing the sujood. As reported in Sunan an-Nasa'i 1279 and Sunan an-Nasa'i 1280, and narrated by Hittan bin 'Abdullah, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught the companions about the prayer and said that when you are sitting after prostrating (sujood), recite the Tashahhud. The dua for Tashahhud or Aattahiyat is an obligatory part of the salah. You can evaluate the significance of Aattahiyat by the fact that missing an obligatory part of the salah invalidates it.
Prayer is a culmination of various acts of worship, and reciting Tashahhud is a reminder of reliance on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and that for us, the role model in this world is Holy Prophet (ﷺ). Reciting the Tashahhud offers a moment of mindful remembrance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and how we should strive to be among His righteous servants.