The Third Testimony
Question :

If one has recited the third testimony of the wilayah of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) in the tashahhud of every prayer, have his prayer become invalid? Does it make a difference if this was out of ignorance, or whether it was believed to be obligatory or recommended?

Answer :

Intentionally reciting the third testimony during the tashahhud makes the prayer void, since it is not amongst the divinely-authorized words that are allowed to be recited in the prayer. If he was unaware of the said ruling, his previous prayers are valid; also, they are valid if he recited it believing it to be recommended.

The Third Testimony
Question :

It is permissible to recite the third Shahadah (Ash hadu Anna Ameer al-Momineena Aliyyan Waliyullah" in Tashahhud before the Salawat, with the intention that it is a dua although it is not a part of the prescribed Tashahhud?

Answer :

This statement is not a supplication. Yes, if you say: "O my lord, by Ali (Peace be upon him) forgive me," it would be a supplication and it is then permissible.

Imam Ali in Tashahud
Question :

Is it permissible to mention Imam Ali (peace be upon him) in tashahudd during an obligatory prayer with the intention that it is recommended and not obligatory? If so, what is the best formula for this?

Answer :

It is not proven that such is recommended in the Tashahud. Reciting it with the knowledge that it is not recommended makes the prayer void.

Diffrent Forms of Tashahud
Question :

Are there different forms of Tashahud taught by Imams including the one which includes the third testimony?

Answer :

The forms of Tashahud narrated from the Ahlulbait (peace be upon them) do not include the third testimony.

The Third Testimony
Question :

Is the testimony of Imam Ali's (peace be upon him) Wilayah permissible to be recited, while it is recited in the Adhan and Iqamah?

Answer :

It is unlawful to recite the third testimony during the prayers since it is not amongst the divinely authorized words that are allowed to be recited in prayer. Intentionally reciting it then makes the prayer void. It is allowed to recite it during other worships, like prayers on the deceased or during the Adhan as they do not have the condition of not including human-formulated words.

Tashahud
Question :

In the Tashhahud, when reciting the Salawat, is it permissible to add 'wa ajjil farajahum' (May Allah hasten their reappearance)?

Answer :

It is permissible if the person did not intend said phrase to be a part of the prayer.

Minimun Recitation of Tashahud
Question :

When time is running short, what is the minimum Tashahhud and Tasleem I am allowed to recite?

Answer :

The following is a valid summarized way of performing the Tashahud and Tasleem: "Ash-hadu anla Ilaha Illallah Wahdahu La Shareeka Lah, wa Ash-hadu anna Mohammadan Abduhu wa Rasuluh, Allahumma Salli ala Mohammadin wa Aali Mohammad, Assalamu Alayka Ayyuhan-Nabiyu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh, Assalamu Alayna wa ala Ibadillahis-Saliheen, Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh".