Nafi‘ said that when ‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar sat during the prayer he placed his hands on his knees, pointed with his finger and gave his whole attention to it. He then said that God’s Messenger had said, “It has a more severe effect on the devil than iron,” meaning the forefinger.
Narrated ‘Abd ar-Rahrman b. Abu Laila said that Ka‘b b. ‘Ujra met him and asked if he would like him to present him with something he had heard from the Prophet. He expressed his desire to hear it, and he said:
We asked God’s Messenger this question, “How is blessing to be invoked on you who belong to the prophetic family? God has taught us how to salute you.” He told us to say, “O God, bless Muhammad and Muhammad’s family as Thou didst bless Abraham and Abraham’s family. Thou art indeed praiseworthy and glorious. O God, grant favours to Muhammad and Muhammad’s family as Thou didst grant favours to Abraham and Abraham’s family. Thou art indeed praiseworthy and glorious.”
(Bukhari and Muslim, but Muslim did not mention Abraham in the two places.)
God’s Messenger used to teach us the tashahhud just as he would teach us a sura of the Qur’an, saying, “In the name of God and with His grace. The adorations of the tongue, acts of worship and all good things are due to God. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and God’s mercy and blessings. Peace be upon us and upon God’s upright servants. I testify that there is no god but God, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. I ask God for paradise, and I seek refuge in God from hell.”
