due to the saying of the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): "Every matter of importance that does not begin with the praise of Allah is severed." (34) He also said: "Every sermon that does not contain the testimony (shahada) is like a mutilated hand." (35) Both were narrated by Ibn al-Mundhir. It suffices for this that he praises Allah Almighty, pronounces the testimony, and invokes blessings upon the Messenger of Allah (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). It is recommended to use the sermon of Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, who said: The Messenger of Allah (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) taught us the tashahhud in prayer, and the tashahhud for needs. He said: The tashahhud for needs is: "Al-hamdu lillah, nahmaduhu, wa nasta'inuhu, wa nastaghfiruhu, wa na'udhu billahi min shururi anfusina. Man yahdihi Allahu fala mudilla lahu, wa man yudlil fala hadiya lahu. Wa ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah, [wa ashhadu anna] (36) Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluhu." Then he recites three verses: "Fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in a state of submission]." (37) And: "Fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs [kinship]. Indeed, Allah is ever, over you, an Observer." (38) And: "Fear Allah and speak a word of appropriate justice. He will [then] amend for you your deeds." (39) [to the end of] the verse. It was narrated by Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi (40), who said: It is a hasan (good) hadith. Al-Khallal said: Narrated to us