All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.
The Prophet used to say the same exaltations in the second part of Tashahhud as that we are saying today in our prayers. Imaam Ahmad said that the Prophet used to say: "Allaahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aali Muhammad ……"
Furthermore, 'Aa'ishah when describing the prayer of the Prophet in the second part of Tashahhud, she said: "He would exalt the mention of the Messenger of Allaah [himself] and then say Salaam (i.e. conclude the prayer) loudly (in a way which could be heard).'' [Ibn Maajah].