Question:What happens if we recite the third testimony in the tashahhud part of the prayer? My classmate says that the third testimony is permissible in the tashahhud. I know that it is not permissible in the tashahhud and desirable in the iqaamah and the call to prayer?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it was not proven by a reliable report or a reliable hadith book that any of the infallibles (PBUT) uttered the testimony of Ali Ibn Abu Talib (PBUH) during the prayer in the tashahhud. It was mentioned only in the book of Al-Fiqh Al-Radhawi [Al-Radhawi Jurisprudence], which is, as it is known, that this book is the dictation of Imam Al-Ridha (PBUH). However, this is a notorious misconception, for there are things in the book that a Shiite does not say at all. For example, he says that it is permissible to perform ablution by washing the feet. This would never be said by any Shiite. After investigation, it has been proven that this book was written by Al-Shalmagani in the era of the minor occultation, and Imam Al-Hujjah (may Allah hasten his reappearance) cursed him according to what was narrated in his letters. This man is the one who mentioned the mandate of this testimony to the prayer as a way of proving his loyalty to Ahlulbait (PBUT) . We have reiterated that it is permissible for the one to testify the guardianship of Imam Ali (PBUH) and all the imams (PBUT) under the title of supplication within the qunut part, the prostration and kneeling parts by saying, “O God, I believe in these … mentioning the names of the pure Imams (PBUT), and I beg You, through them, to fulfill my need." This was not proven in the Tashahud part. Adding anything to the prayer without a valid divine text is considered a forbidden legislation and invalidates the prayer. Some tried to stick to narrations that lacked the authenticity of the chain of narrators, the content of which is that I am commanded to bear witness to the monotheism of Allah, the prophethood of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) and the authority of Ali (PBUH). However, these narrations, even if their chain of transmission is valid - supposedly - are not contained in explaining the parts of prayer, but rather they are mentioned in an explanation of what a person must believe. No Shiite who stops or questions that. Based on this, it is not proven that the testimony of the authority of Ali Ibn Abu Talib (PBUH) in prayer during the tashahhud is mentioned. It is obvious that we are commanded to believe in all the prophets (PBUT) whether they are mentioned in the Quran or not. Can you bear witness of the testimony of their prophethood in prayer? We are also commanded by the mandate of the imams (PBUT) to believe in the mandate and authority of the awaited Imam (may Allah hasten his reappearance). Why do we not mention him in prayer? May Allah guide us all to the right path. Allah is the Knowing and the Guide.

Question:Recently, the issue of the third testimony [shahada thalitha] only in the Tashahud part of the prayer has been raised by some believers who use certain evidence. We, as followers of your fatwas, would like you to state your blessed opinion in this regard.

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is not proved neither in an authentic narration nor in authentic hadeeth book that any of the infallible Imams (PBUT) used the third testimony in the Tashahud part of the prayer. It is only mentioned in the book “Alfiqh Alradhawi” which is verbally transmitted that this book was dictated by Imam Al-Ridha (PBUH), a matter which is of great confusion. This book contains things that any common Shiite would not say. For example, the book mentions that it is enough in ablution to wash the feet. Is there any Shiite or Imam who would say so?! However, after inspection and investigation, it turned out that this book was written by Al-Shalmaghani during the minor occultation of the Awaited Imam (may Allah hasten his reappearance). In his letters, the Imam (may Allah hasten his reappearance) cursed this man and it is he who added the third testimony to the prayer in order to show that he is much more loyal to Ahlulbait (PBUT) than others. We have iterated that it is permissible to testify to the loyalty to Imam Ali and other Imams (PBUT) under the title of invocation within the Qunoot, Rukoo and prostration parts in the prayer, saying “O’ Allah, I believe in them [mentioning their name (PBUT)]. I beseech you through them in having my things fulfilled”. This is not proved that it is part of the Tashahud. Furthermore, adding anything to the prayer without an authentic, religious text is a forbidden legislation, and it invalidates the prayer. Some have attempted to adopt certain unauthentic narrations which say we are ordered to testify to Allah’s onehood, His Messenger's (PBUH&HF) prophethood and loyalty to Imam Ali (PBUH). If we hypnotically assume that these narrations are authentic, they are not related to the parts of the prayer, but they are related to the matters that Man should believe in. No Shiite would suspect or abstain from that matters. Accordingly, reciting the third testimony of Ali Ibn Abu Talib (PBUH) in the Tashahud part of the prayer is not proved. It is commonly known that we are ordered to believe in all the prophets (PBUT) who were either mentioned in Quran or not. Can you testify to their prophethood in the prayer?! We are also ordered to be loyal to the Awaited Imam (may Allah hasten his reappearance). Why do not we mention his name in the prayer?! I pray to Allah to guide us all to the right path. Allah is the All Guide.