What is the linguistic meaning of the terms in the Tashahhud: At-tahiyyat, As-salawat, and At-tayyibat?

Chapter on the Description of Prayer

Al-Mughni

Book of Prayer

Book 3 · Issue 7 · Bab 5

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The meaning transmitted from Ibn Abbas states that *At-tahiyyat* means greatness (*al-'azama*), *As-salawat* means the five obligatory prayers, and *At-tayyibat* means righteous deeds. Abu 'Amr stated that *At-tahiyyat* means sovereignty/kingship. Other linguists state that *At-tahiyyat* means perpetuity (*al-baqa'*). Ibn Al-Anbari stated that *At-tahiyyat* is peace (*as-salam*), *As-salawat* is mercy, and *At-tayyibat* is pleasant speech.

Supporting text

No dissenting views regarding the definitions themselves are mentioned, only different scholarly interpretations of the precise meaning of *At-tahiyyat*.