The form of sending blessings on the Prophet in the Tashahhud

Q 2: What is the form of invoking peace and blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the first Tashahhud (testification recited in the sitting position in the second unit of Prayer) in a four or a three-Rak`ah Salah (Prayer consisting of four or three units)? Please advise, may Allah reward you.

A: It is the same as the last Tashahhud (testification recited in the sitting position in the last unit of Prayer), as many Hadiths were narrated which confirm this, including what was narrated by Imam Muslim, Ahmad and Al-Nasa'y (may Allah have mercy on them), (Part No. 7; Page No. 14) from Abu Mas`ud Al-Ansary (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said, One day, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) approached us while we were sitting at the house of Sa`d ibn `Ubadah. Bashir ibn Sa`d said to him, "Allah has asked us to send prayers upon you. How shall we do?" He said, "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) remained silent until we wished that he had not asked him, and then he said, 'Say: O, Allah! Send Your prayers upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, just like You sent Your prayers upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Send Your blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, just like You sent Your blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim in the Worlds. You are indeed the Praiseworthy and the Glorious.' As for sending peace, it is the way you have learnt." In the two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith, it is narrated from Ka`b ibn `Ujrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked about the manner of invoking peace and blessings upon him, he said, Say: 'O, Allah! Send prayers upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, just like You sent prayers upon the family of Ibrahim. You are indeed the Praiseworthy and the Glorious. O Allah! Bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, just like You blessed the family of Ibrahim. You are indeed the Praiseworthy and the Glorious. (Part No. 7; Page No. 15) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.