Is sending blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the first Tashahhud obligatory or recommended, and what is the evidence for restricting it to the final Tashahhud only? Is there an explicit statement from the Prophet (peace be upon him) specifying this, or is it based on scholarly interpretation?

"Praise be to Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah, and upon his family and companions.

The issue concerns the prayer upon the Prophet during the first Tashahhud, and there is a disagreement among the scholars about it: - The Shafi'i school views it as permissible. - The majority do not see it as permissible.

The preponderant view is that the prayer upon the Prophet during the first Tashahhud is not permissible for the following reasons: - No evidence from any of the companions. - The clear distinction between the two Tashahhuds as decided by Ibn al-Qayyim. - Indicated by the practice of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. - The Prophet’s lightening of the first Tashahhud until it was as though on embers.

Whoever acts according to the view of the Shafi'i school, there is no blame on them, as both groups seek to adhere to the saying of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: ""Pray as you have seen me praying."""