If a person is praying three or four rakats, then he should stand up after tashahhud, raising hands as instructed in the previous rakah and recite Takbir. In the third or fourth rakah, recitation of Surah al-Fatiha is sufficient. There is no need to say another Surah. If a person is praying four rakats then he will return to this point twice before moving to the next section and sitting for the final tashahhud.
"Next, the Prophet (SAW) would get up for the third rakah with takbir." (Sahih -Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
After reciting Surah al-Fatiha, continue to complete the third rakah (or fourth rakah if praying four). After completing the last rakah, sit for the final tashahhud. Put the left foot under the right thigh and shin, with the right foot upright and top of toes facing the Qiblah. This way of sitting is called mutawarrikan. The left palm should cover the left knee with fingers spread out leaning heavily on the left knee. Put the right hand on the right knee and clench all the fingers on the right hand placing the thumb on the middle finger. Then, point the index finger (the one right next to the thumb) towards the Qiblah, and fix the eyesight on that finger. When raising the index finger, move it, and supplicate with it.
"The Prophet (SAW) would sit mutawarrikan." (Sahih - Al-Bukhari)
"The Prophet (SAW) would have his left foot under his (right) thigh and shin." (Sahih - Abu Dawood and Al-Baihaqee)
"The Prophet’s (SAW) right foot upright." (Sahih - Muslim & Abu Awaanah)
"The Prophet’s (SAW) left palm would cover his (left) knee, leaning heavily on it." (Sahih - Muslim & Abu Awaanah)
Recite silently the same du'a as in the first tashahhud and recite silently As-Salah 'Ala An-Nabiyy (SAW) as in the first tashahhud.
After reciting As-Salah 'Ala An-Nabiyy (SAW) always read the following du'a silently:
"Allah humma 'innee a'u'thu bika min athabi jahannam wa min athabil qabri wa min fitnatil mah ya wal mamatee wa min shar-ril masihid-daj-jal"
[Oh Allah, I seek refuge with You from the punishment of Hellfire, and from the punishment of the grave, and from the trials of living and dying, and from the evil (trials) of the False Christ]
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to say, "When one of you has finished the last tashahhud (the final one in his prayer), let him seek refuge with Allah from four: From the torture of the Hell-fire, from the torture in the grave, and of the evil of the impostorous messiah (antichrist)." (Sahih - Muslim, Abu Awaanah, An-Nasaa'ee and Ibn al-Jaarood)
There are many du’as that can be recited silently before tasleem. Below is the most common. Always recite silently.
"Allah humma innee thalamtu nafsee thulman katheeran, wala yaghfi ruth thunuba illa anta faghfirlee maghfiratan min'indika, war hamnee innaka antal ghafurur raheem."
(Oh Allah, I have been very cruel to myself (by ignoring my duty to You) and there is no one who can forgive the sins except You. So forgive me because You are the only Forgiver and have Mercy on me. Verily You are the Forgiver and Merciful)
It is reported by way of Abdullah son of Amru (RA) that Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq (RA) said to the Messenger of Allah (SAW): Teach me an invocation (a supplication) which I may petition (Allah) with in my prayer, he (SAW) said: "Say: ‘Allah humma innee thalamtu nafsee thulman katheeran, wala yaghfi ruth thunuba illa anta faghfirlee maghfiratam min'indika, war hamnee innaka antal ghafurur raheem.’" (Sahih - Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Hands are to remain on the knees until the tasleem is complete. After turning the face to the right, making sure the entire right cheek is visible to anyone who may (or may not) be sitting behind. Then recite aloud or silently over the right shoulder, at any time of day:
"Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah"
(May the Peace and Mercy of Allah Be Upon You)
Then turning the face to the left, making sure the entire left cheek is visible to anyone who may (or may not) be sitting behind. Then recite aloud or silently over the left shoulder, at any time of day:
"Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah"
(May the Peace and Mercy of Allah Be Upon You)
The tasleem is now complete. This completes a two, three or four rakat salat.
"They used to gesture with their hands when saluting to the right and the left; when the Messenger of Allah (SAW) saw them, he said, "What is the matter with you, gesturing with your hands as if they are the tails of wild horses?! When one of you salutes, he should look towards his companion and not indicate with his hand." (Sahih - Muslim, Abu Awaanah, Siraaj, Ibn Khuzaimah and Tabaraani)
"The Prophet (SAW) would salute to right, "Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah" (such that the whiteness of his right cheek was visible), and on his left: "Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah" (such that the whiteness of his left cheek was visible)." (Sahih - Abu Dawood, An-Nasaa'ee, and At-Tirmithi)
"The Prophet (SAW) used to say, " ... it (the prayer) is exited by the tasleem." (Sahih - Al-Haakim and Dhahabi)
Abbreviations Clarified | Actions For Performing Wudu (Ablution) | Preparing For Salah (Prayer) | How Many Rakat? | First Rakah | Second Rakah | Third and Fourth Rakah | Du'as After Salah (Prayer) | Helpful Tools For Learning Prayer | Wudu Example | 2 Rakat Example | 3 Rakat Example | 4 Rakat Example | References