(1) This is, by unanimous agreement of the hadith critics, the most authentic wording of the tashahhud (the sitting testimony in prayer) transmitted from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Al-Tirmidhi, after quoting it, writes: “The hadith of Ibn Masud has reached us through several lines of transmission, and it is the soundest narration from the Prophet, peace be upon him, on the tashahhud. The majority of scholars—among the Prophet’s Companions and the Successors—act upon it; it is likewise the position of Sufyan al-Thawri, Ibn al-Mubarak, Ahmad, and Ishaq.” Ibn Hajar states in Fath al-Bari (2/251): “When al-Bazzar was asked which hadith on the tashahhud is the soundest, he replied: ‘In my view it is the hadith of Ibn Masud; it is related through more than twenty chains.’ He then listed most of them and said: ‘I know of no wording of the tashahhud that is firmer, with sounder isnads and more renowned transmitters.’” The experts of hadith do not differ on this point; al-Baghawi affirms it explicitly in Sharh al-Sunnah. Its pre-eminence is shown by the fact that, unlike the other versions, it is agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim, its trustworthy narrators do not disagree over its wording, and Ibn Masud learned it directly from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, who dictated it to him. The hadith was recorded by Imam Ahmad (1/414): “Abu Nuaym narrated to us; Saif narrated to us; I heard Mujahid say: ‘Abd Allah b. Sakhbara Abu Maʿmar narrated to me; he said: I heard Ibn Masud say…’” and he mentioned it in full. This chain is exceptionally sound, each link affirming direct hearing, and it satisfies the conditions of the two Sahihs. Abu Bakr b. Abi Shayba likewise included it with this very chain in both his Musnad and his Musannaf.