Which Tashahhud Should a Latecomer Read?

Question

I reached the second rak‘a along with the imam during the Fajr prayer, and when the imam sat down for the tashahud to complete the salah, he should recite the Tashahud Thani (the second tashahud).

I’m uncertain about which tashahud to recite. Should I recite the Tashahud Awal (the first tashahud) or the Tashahud Thani?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

The Fajr Prayer has only a final sitting and, therefore, one reading of the tashahhud. The latecomer should read the prayers in the tashahhud for the final sitting, then repeat it after making the missed rak‘a, and Allah knows best.

There is one tashahhud prayer, and in prayers with more than two raka’at, there are two sittings in which one recites the tashahhud. During the first sitting, one recites until the salutations upon the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), but not beyond that (upon his family).

During the final sitting, one must recite the complete tashahhud and salawat (prayers) on the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). Still, it is highly recommended to read salawat upon his family (Allah bless him and give him peace). It is recommended to read the complete Salawat al-Ibrahimiyya (Abrahamic Salutations), as well as supplications after that. [Nawawi, Minhaj al-Talibin]

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.