an essential pillar of prayer according to al-Shāfiʿī and Ahmad, in the well-known position reported from him. Thus, omitting it invalidates the prayer, whether deliberately or through forgetfulness.

The final tashahhud according to Mālik and Abū Hanīfah; and according to Mālik and Ahmad, in the well-known position reported from him: if a person deliberately omits the first tashahhud, his prayer is invalid; if he omits it through forgetfulness, he must perform the prostrations of forgetfulness. Imam Ahmad calls this obligatory, while Mālik’s followers call it an obligatory Sunnah. They say: “An obligatory Sunnah.” There is no substantive disagreement here, given the position that whoever deliberately omits it must repeat the prayer, while whoever omits it through forgetfulness must perform the prostrations of forgetfulness.

Mālik and Ahmad classify the acts of prayer into different categories, like the acts of Hajj. Abū Hanīfah divides them into three categories, but holds that someone who omits an act in the obligatory category has done wrong without being required to repeat the prayer, whether he omitted it deliberately or through forgetfulness. Al-Shāfiʿī, however, holds that an obligatory act in prayer is an essential pillar. This differs from Hajj, in which they all agree that there are obligatory acts whose omission is compensated for by an animal sacrifice, distinct from both essential pillars and recommended acts.

There is no disagreement that he himself, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, may invoke blessings upon others, as Allah Most High said:

“And invoke blessings upon them.”

Likewise, it is established in an authentic hadith that he said:

“O Allah, send blessings upon the family of Abū Awfā.”

It is also reported that he said to a woman:

“May Allah send blessings upon you and your husband.”

She had asked him to invoke blessings upon her and her husband.

There is likewise no disagreement that blessings may be invoked upon his family together with him, as he taught his community to say:

“O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You sent blessings upon Abraham. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy