For Those Who Acquire Knowledge

A Detailed Explanation of the Tashahhud: Invocations Made in the Final Jalsah (Sitting) of Ṣalāh Series: Part 1

Imām Muḥammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn

A detailed explanation on the manner in which to perform the tashahhud as well as the meanings behind what is said.

Pointing the Index Finger While Reciting the Tashahhud

Whilst in the jalsah for tashahhud1, one should point upwards with his index finger while reciting the invocations and remembrances attributable to this position. This finger is termed ‘sabbābah’ in Arabic. It was named thus because it is the finger one points with when they curse or insult another [termed ‘sabb’ in Arabic]. This finger may also be referred to as ‘sabbāḥah’ because with it one glorifies Allāh—the Exalted in Might [termed ‘tasbīḥ’ in Arabic].

Pointing with one’s finger in tashahhud should be done upon the dhikr (remembrance) of Allāh. Although the jurists have differed with one another concerning what constitutes remembrance in this position. Among them are those who claim it is to make specific mention of Allāh. While others allege that pointing is only applicable to remembering Allāh specifically with the tashahhud [i.e. when stating “Lā ilāha illá Allāh”]. Based on this opinion, a person would point only once during the entire tashahhud.

Such is the difference between the jurists. However, the Sunnah proves that one should point with his finger only when invoking Allāh (specifically) in this position. As the wording of the ḥadīth: “He (صلى الله عليه وسلم) would move his finger, invoking Allāh with it”.2 Despite this, there are other narrations that address this matter, some of them confirm the movement of this finger during the tashahhud while others negate it3. Commensuration of these narrations is quite simple. As for the aḥādīth that negate this movement, they may be interpreted as referring to continuous, indiscriminate movement of one’s finger. As for the narrations that confirm this movement, they may be interpreted as referring to its movement during invocation such that with every invocation that is recited in this position, one raises his finger as an acknowledgement and recognition of the highness of the One being invoked.

The Specific Times To Raise One’s Finger in the Tashahhud

The specific times to raise one’s finger in the tashahhud are as follows:

التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلهَ، وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا، وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِين، أَشْهَدُ أَن لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُه، اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيم، وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيم، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيد، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِ
مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيم، وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيم، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّم وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبرِ وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّال

Al-Taḥiyyātu lillāhi wa-al-ṣalawātu wa-al-ṭayyibāt, al-salāmu ʿalayka ayyuha al-nabīyu (point) wa-raḥmatullāhi wa-barakātuhu, al-salāmu ʿalaynā (point) wa-ʿalá ʿibādi Allāh al-ṣāliḥīn, ash-hadu an lā ilāha illá Allāh wa ash-hadu anna Muḥammadan ʿabduhu wa-rasūluhu, Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalá Muḥammadin (point) wa-ʿalá āli Muḥammadin kamā ṣallayta ʿalá Ibrāhīm wa-ʿalá āli Ibrāhīm, innaka Ḥamīdun Majīd, Allāhumma bārik ʿalá Muḥammadin (point) wa-ʿalá āli Muḥammadin kamā bārakta ʿalá Ibrāhīm wa-ʿalá Ibrāhīm, innaka Ḥamīdun Majīd. Aʿūdhu billāhi min ʿadhābi jahannam (point), wa min ʿadhāb al-qabr (point), wa min fitnat al-maḥyā wa-al-mamāt (point), wa min fitnat al-masīḥ al-dajjāl (point).

All greatness, prayers, and goodness belong to Allāh. May the peace, mercy and blessings of Allāh be upon you O Prophet (point). May the peace of Allāh be upon us (point), and every righteous slave of Allāh. I testify that there is nothing worshipped in truth except for Allāh, and I testify that Muḥammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is His servant and Messenger. O Allāh! Mention Muḥammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and his followers with praise [in the highest assembly] (point) just as you have similarly mentioned Ibrāhīm and his followers with praise [in the highest assembly], for—indeed—You are the All-Praiseworthy, the All-Glorious. O Allāh! Bless Muḥammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and his followers (point) just as You have similarly blessed Ibrāhīm and his followers, for—indeed—You are the All-Praiseworthy, the All-Glorious. O Allāh! Indeed, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Jahannam (point), the punishment of the grave (point), the trials and tribulations of living and dying (point), and from the trial of the Dajjāl, the [false] Messiah (point).

In this way, one points as he invokes Allāh, pointing upwards to indicate the highness of the One being called upon. This practice is closer to the Sunnah.

Placement of One’s Left Hand in the Tashahhud

While in tashahhud, one’s left hand should be spread out on one’s left thigh, saying the aforementioned invocation upon the tongue, contemplating its meanings with one’s heart.

Endnotes:

[1] Tashahhud: the final sitting position occurring at the end of the ṣalāh in which one says the tashahhud or the testification that there is nothing worshipped in truth except for Allāh and Muḥammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is His servant and Messenger.
[2] Authentic: narrated by al-Nasāʾī: 889 and graded authentic by Shaykh al-Albānī in Ṣaḥīḥ Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 717.
[3] Authentic: narrated by Abū Dāwūd: 989. Although the addition being alluded to here of “he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) would point with his finger when invoking Allāh, but would not move his finger” was graded weak [or Shāẓ] by Shaykh al-Albānī in Ṣaḥīḥ Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 909.

Source: Al-Sharḥ al-Mumtiʿ 3:144-200
Translated by: Riyāḍ al-Kanadī
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Which Occupation Should the Muslim Seek?

Imām ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Saʿdī

Advice to the Muslim regarding which occupations are most beneficial.

Imām ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Nāṣir al-Saʿdī (d. 1376 AH) said:

If it is asked: What is the very best and most fruitful occupation?

We reply: The people of knowledge have differed concerning this—from them are those who favour farming and tilling [the land], and among them are those who favour buying and selling, and others favour craftsmanship, carving, and its like.

All [of these scholars] have well-presented arguments. However, it is this ḥadīth that completely settles this discussion. It is his (ﷺ)’s saying:

‘Aspire and strive towards that which is beneficial to you, and seek Allāh’s aid.’

The beneficial [occupations] are well-known, except that it differs according to the conditions [of man] and their respective abilities. Thus, amongst people are those of whom farming and tilling is the most favourable with respect to them, just as amongst people are those of whom buying, selling, and manufacturing products within their expertise is better for them. So the best of all these and other occupations are the ones that offer the most benefit [to mankind].
So may the peace and blessings of Allāh be upon the [Prophet] who has been given the deepest, most beneficial of speech.

Source: Bahjah Qulūb al-Abrār: 44-5
Translated by: Riyāḍ al-Kanadī

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