Salawāt Ibrāhīmiyyah

Salawāt Ibrāhīmiyyah

By Ibn Salih

What are the wordings’ of the Salawāt on the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam)

 In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;

All the praise and thanks is due to Allāh, the Lord of the al-'ālameen. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam is His Messenger.

The command.

Allāh Says: 


 “Inn Allāha wamala-ikatahu yusallūna ‘ālannabiyyi, Ya ayyuha allathīnāmanū Sallū ‘ālayhi wasallimū taslīma (Allāh sends His Salāt (Graces, Honours, Blessings, Mercy, etc.) on the Prophet (Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and also His angels too (ask Allāh to bless and forgive him). O you who believe! Send your Salāt on (ask Allāh to bless) him (Muhammad (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam), and (you should) greet (salute) him with Taslim (the Islamic way of greeting (salutation i.e. As-salāmu ‘alayka ayyuha’n-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullāhi wa barakātuh).”)


[Al-Ahzab, 33: 56]

Allāh Sends His Salāh (Graces, Honours, Blessings, Mercy) on the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam), the angels ask Allāh to bless and forgive the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam). And Allāh command the believers to send Salāh on (i.e ask Allāh to bless) him (Muhammad), and should greet (salute) him with the Islamic way of greeting (i.e. ‘As-salāmu `alaika ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Allāhi wa barakātuh’ as in the Tashahhud)

Al-Bukhari said: "Abu Al-`Aliyah said: "Allāh's Salāh [Salawāt] is His praising him before the angels [i.e Rasulullāh being among the “higher group” (al-mala’ al-`ala, i.e, the angels, ref. al-Saffāt 37:8), and the Salāh of the angels is their supplication.'' Ibn ‘Abbas said: "They send blessings.'' At-Tirmidzi said: "This was narrated from Sufyan Ath-Thawri and other scholars, who said: “The Salāh of the Lord is mercy, and the Salāh of the angels is their seeking forgiveness.’” [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]  The believers' prayer is a supplication for him‏, asking Allāh to bless the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam).

The Salawāt indicates the honour, love, belief, attachment to him as our Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) which signifies to be the deep faith in Allāh.  Anas ibn Mālik (radiallāhu`anhu) narrated the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “No one of you truly believes until I am dearer to him than his father, his son, his own self and all the people.” [Narrated by al-Bukhāri, 15; Muslim, 44].

The Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) also said: “Whenever someone seeks Allāh’s blessings for me, Allāh returns the soul to my body until I reply to his salutation." [Reported by Abu Dawud]

And the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) likened those who do not salawāt upon him when his name is mentioned as a miser: "The miser (wretched; niggardly, mistaken) is the one who hears my name mentioned and does not seek blessings for me.” [Recorded by Ahmad; At-Tirmidzi]

The Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) sent prayers on him and his family as in The Tashahhud. [Abu `Awānah in his Sahih (2/324), Nasā`ie] The ummah is obligated to send prayers on him after sending peace on him, and he taught the Sahābah ways of reciting it. Scholars held that the best formula is the one mentioned in the sahih ahādith. There are Mutawatir Hadiths narrated from the Messenger of Allāh commanding us to send blessings on him and how we should say Salāh upon him.

The various Versions of Salawāt

1: In his Tafsir of ayat, Al-Ahzab, 33: 56, Al-Bakhari recorded Ka`ab bin `Ujrah (radiyallāhu`anhu) reported, “It was said, “O Messenger of Allāh, we already knows how to greet you [i.e ‘As-salāmu `alaika ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Allāhi wa barakātuh’ as in the Tashahhud], but how should we but how about Salāh [Supplicate; Ask blessings  for you]?'' He (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said:

‏«قُولُوا: اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيد»

"Say: `Allāhumma salli `ala Muhammad wa `ala āli Muhammad kama sallaita `ala āli Ibrāhīm; Innaka Hamīdum Majīd; Allāhumma bārik `ala Muhammad, wa `ala āli Muhammad, kama bārakta `ala āli Ibrāhīm; Innaka Hamīdum Majīd.’

(O Allāh! Send Prayers on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad, as You sent Prayers on the family of Ibrāhīm, Verily You are Most Praiseworthy, Full of Glory; O Allāh! Send Your Blessings on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent your Blessings on the family of Ibrāhīm, Verily You are Most Praiseworthy, Full of Glory.)''’

[Al-Bukhari ( Fathul-Bari 8:392) ; Ahmad Nasā`ie and Abu Ya’la in his Musnad (44/2) with a sahih: (reaffirmed the narration thru Ibn Abi Layla’ informed by Ka`ab) ; Muslim; Humaidi (138/1) and Ibn Mandah (68/2): Sahih: Reported by Sa‘īd bin Mansūr, `Abd bin Hamīd, Ibn Abi Hātim and Ibn Mardawiyah  and `Abd ar-Razzāq, Ibn Abi Shaybah, Ahmad `Abd-Hamīd, the Sihah Sittah all from Ka`ab bin `Ajrah.; this narration uses ‘Kama Sallaita ‘ala [Ibrāhīm, wa `ala] āli Ibrāhīm’; ‘Allāhumma Bārik’ in second part and ‘Innaka Hamīdum Majīd’ in both part.]

2: Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri, (radiyallāhu`anhu), said: "We said, ‘O Messenger of Allāh, this is the Salam upon you, but how do we send Salāh upon you’. He (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said:

«قُولُوا: اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَرَسُولِكَ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ، وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيم»

Say: “Allāhumma salli `ala Muhammad `abdika wa rasūlik, kama sallaita `ala āli Ibāhīm; Wa bārik`ala Muhammad, wa `ala āli Muhammd, kama bārakta āli Ibrāhīm”

(O Allāh! Send Prayers on Muhammad, Your slave and messenger, as You Sent Prayers on the family of Ibrāhīm; And Send Blessings on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You Sent Blessings on and on the family of Ibrāhīm).

[Bukhari: uses: ‘abdika warasūlik; `ala āli Ibāhīm ; without ‘Innaka Hamīdum Majīd’; This was also recorded by Ahmad, An-Nasa`ie, Tahawi, and Ibn Majah. and Isma`il Al-Qādi; Abu Salih narrated that Layth reaffirming the phrases : ‘wa `ala āli Muhammd, Kama Bārakta āli Ibrāhīm’ ; and Ibrahim bin Hamzah told that, Ibn Abi Hazim and Ad-Darawardi told, that Yazid, i.e., Ibn Al-Had reaffirmed the phrases said: Kama sallaita `ala āli Ibāhīm; Wa bārik ‘ala Muhammad, wa `ala āli Muhammd, Kama bārakta ‘āli Ibrāhīm]

3: Imam Ahmad recorded from Abu Humaid As-Sa`idi (radiallāhu`anhu) that they said: "O Messenger of Allāh, how can we send Salāh upon you'' He (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said:

«قُولُوا: اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَأَزْوَاجِهِ وَذُرِّيَّتِهِ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَأَزْوَاجِهِ وَذُرِّيَّتِهِ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيد»

"Say: ‘Allāhumma salli `ala Muhammad, wa  [`ala] azwajihi wa dzurriyatihi kama sallaita `ala  Ibrāhīm; Wa bārik `ala Muhammad, wa [`ala] azwajihi wa dzurriyatihi kama bārakta `ala[ali] Ibrāhīm, Innaka Hamidum-Majīd’

(O Allāh Send Prayers on Muhammad and [on] his wives and progeny, as You Sent Prayers on [the family of] Ibrāhīm; And Send Blessings on Muhammad, and [on] his wives and progeny, as You Sent Blessings on [the family of] Ibrāhīm; Verily You are Most Praiseworthy, Full of Glory).

[Ahmad, It was also recorded by the rest of the Jama`ah, apart Muslim (807), Abu Dawud; at-Tirmidzi and Nasa`ie from Abu Humaid As-Sa`idi; but this narration uses: kama sallaita `ala Ibrāhīm; only once ‘Innaka Hamidum-Majīd’; No.3 almost similar to No.3.1 recorded by Imām Ahmad and Tahawi]

3.1: Imām Ahmad and Tahawi with a sahih sanad recorded another narration:

“Allāhumma salli `ala Muhammad wa `ala ahli bait, wa `ala azwajihi wa dzurriyyatihi, kama sallaita `ala āli Ibrāhīm; Innaka Hamīdum Majīd; Wa bārik `ala Muhammad wa `ala ahli bait, wa `ala azwajihi wa dzurriyyatihi kama bārakta `ala āli Ibrāhīm; Innaka Hamīdum-Majīd”

(O Allāh! Send prayers on Muhammad, and on his household, and on his wives and progeny, as you sent prayers on the family of Ibrāhīm; Verily You are Most Praiseworthy, Full of Glory; And send blessings on Muhammad, and his household, and his wives and progeny, as you sent blessings on the family of Ibrāhīm; Verily You are Most Praiseworthy, Full of Glory).

This narration of the salawāt reportedly used by the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) himself after the Tashahhud. [Ahmad and Tahawi with a sahih sanad]

[Recorded by Ahmad and Tahawi: sahih; uses phrase: wa `ala ahli bait, wa ‘ala azwajihi wa dzurriyyatihi, `ala āli Ibrāhīm, Innaka Hamīdum Majīd twice; Similar to No.3 narrated by Bukhari, Muslim (807), Abu Dawud and Nasa`ie from Abu Humaid As-Sa`idi when Sahabi enquired Rasūlullāh as how to send Salawat to him; but this narration is without ‘wa `ala ahli bait’, and uses ‘Innaka Hamidum-Majīd’ once at the end]

Commentary:

1. The narration no 3.1 is almost similar to No.3 .It is the salawāt reportedly used by the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) himself after the Tashahhud. [Ahmad and Tahawi with a sahih sanad]

2."Azwaj’’ is the plural of "Zauj'' that is a pair. This is the reason that in Arabic it applies to both, masculine as well as feminine. Man is the Zauj of woman and woman is the Zauj of a man. In any case, here it means the Prophet's wives who are eleven in number. Two of them had died during the lifetime of the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) and nine survived after him. Islam does not permit more than four wives to a Muslim but the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wassallam) was given the exclusive permission for numerous considerations which have been discussed by religious scholars at length.

3. Barākah: growth, increase. Hence this supplication secures for Muhammad the good which Allāh granted to the family of Ibrāhīm, continual, established good, as well as its multiplying and increase.

4. This Hadith also refutes the opinion of those who do not include his pious wives in the category of his "Al''. His "Al'' includes his wives and progeny - his male and female children and their descendants. But after his death none except Fātimah (radiallāhu‘anha) and her children remained alive. Some scholars are of the opinion that it is general and applies to all his followers. [Riyad-us-Sāliheen]

5. The Phrase “wa `ala ahli bait, wa`ala azwajihi wa dzurriyyatihi” has the same meaning to “`ala āli”

6. The phrase of `ala āli Ibrāhīm (the family of Ibrāhīm) includes Ibrāhīm himself.

 4:  “Allāhumma salli `ala Muhammadin [Nabiyilummi] wa`ala āli Muhammad, kama sallaita `ala [āli] Ibrāhīm; Wa bārik ‘ala Muhammadin [Nabiyilummi], wa `ala ‘āli Muhammad, kama bārakta `ala [āli] Ibrāhīm fil `ālamīn; Innaka Hamīdum Majīd.”

(O Allāh! Send prayers on Muhammad [the Unlettered Prophet], and on the family of Muhammad, as you sent prayers on [the family of] Ibrāhīm; And send blessings on Muhammad [the Unlettered Prophet] and the family of Muhammad, as you sent blessings on [the family of] Ibrāhīm, among all the nations; Verily You are Most Praiseworthy, Full of Glory)

[Recorded by Muslim, Abu `Awānah, Ibn Abi Shaibah (2/132/1) and Abu Dawud; Hākim: sahih; uses ‘Nabiyilummi’ twice; `ala āli Ibrāhīm; ‘fil `ālamīn’; ‘Innaka Hamīdum Majīd.’]

5: “Allāhumma salli `ala Muhammad, wa `ala āli Muhammad, Wa bārik `ala Muhammad, wa`ala āli Muhammd; Kama sallaita `ala Ibrāhīm, wa bārakta `ala āli Ibrāhīm, Innaka Hamīdum Majīd.

(O Allāh Send Prayers on Muhammad, and on the family of Muhammad, and Send Blessings on Muhammad, and on the family of Muhammad; As you Sent Prayers and Sent Blessings on Ibrāhīm and the family of Ibrāhīm; Verily You are Most Praiseworthy, Full of Glory)

[Recorded by Nasā`ie, Tahawi, Abu Sa`id bin al-`Arabi in al-Mu’jam (79/2) with a sahih sanad. Ibn al-Qayyim gave its source as Muhammad bin Ishaq as-Siraj in Jalā' al-Afhām (pp. 14-15) and then declared it sahih. This wording includes both 'Ibrāhīm' and 'the family of Ibrāhīm’; ‘Innaka Hamīdum Majīd’ something overlooked by both Ibn al-Qayyim and his teacher Ibn Taymiyyah, as explained above; sahih; a bit distinct from others]

6: Muslim recorded in his Sahih under ‘The Book on Blessings on the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) after Tashahhud’ that Abdullāh bin Zaid, one who was shown the adzān (the call for prayer) in a dream, narrated it on the authority of Abu Mas‘ud Al-Ansari (radiyallāhu`anhu) said: "We came to the Messenger of Allāh and we were with Sa`ad bin `Ubadah. Bashir bin Sa`ad said to him, `Allāh has commanded us to send Salāh upon you, O Messenger of Allāh. How can we send Salāh upon you' The Messenger of Allāh remained quiet for so long that we wished that he had not asked him, then the Messenger of Allāh said [ For blessing me]:

«قُولُوا: اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ، وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فِي الْعَالَمِينَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ ,وَالسَّلَامُ كَمَا قَدْ عَلِمْتُم»

“Say: “Allāhumma salli `ala Muhammad wa `ala āli Muhammad kamā sallaita `ala āli Ibrāhīm; Wa bārik `ala Muhammad wa `ala āli Muhammad kama bārakta `ala āli Ibrāhīm fil-`ālamīn; Innaka Hamīdun Majīd”

(O Allāh! Send Prayers upon Muhammad and the members of his household as You Sent Prayers upon the members of Ibrahim’s household; And Send Blessings to Muhammad and the members of his household as You  granted Blessings upon the members of the household of Ibrahim, among all the nations’ Verily You are Most Praiseworthy, Full of Glory)”,

“And the Salutation [i.e ‘As-salāmu `alaika ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullāhi wa barakātuh’] as you about knows it.”

[Muslim (803): Book on Blessings on the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) after Tashahhud; this narration uses the phrase: `ala āli Ibrāhīm, fil-`ālamīn; Innaka Hamīdun Majīd”]); this narration is Linguistically sound; more comprehensive] This was also recorded by Abu Dawud, An-Nasā`ie, At-Tirmidzi and Ibn Jarir. At-Tirmidzi said, "It is Hasan Sahih.''

Commentary:

1. In this Hadith, the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) has showed the ummah that the manner of offering Salawāt was the same as the one mentioned in the Hadith.

1. The Salām means the supplication which is recited in At-Tashahhud [i.e As-salāmu `alaika ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Allāhi wa barakātuh]. The Companions of the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) used to recite it in At-Tashahhud in the manner taught by him. When Almighty Allāh ordained Muslims to supplicate for the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam), it raised the question in their minds as to the wordings of the benediction (as they already knew how to greet him). They asked the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) and he taught it. Invoking Allāh’s blessings upon the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) should be done in the manner which he (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) has taught the ummah, because in doing so we get the reward of following the guidance of the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam). [Riyad-us-Sāliheen]

3. The Salāwat Ibrāhīmiyyah is uttered in the last part of the Tashahhud in every Solāt. The Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) taught his Sahabah when the verse enjoining Muslims to pray for the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) was revealed. The Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) explained the way of doing salāh on him, so it is compulsory to accept that from him, and Allāh’s says: “So take what the Messenger gives you” [Hashr, 59:7]

 4. Imām Shāfi`ie said: "The tashahhud in the first and second instance is the same thing; by 'tashahhud', I mean the bearing of witness and the sending of prayers on the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam): neither will suffice without the other." [Al-Umm]

5. Only version nos.4 and 6 that has the phrase “Fil-`ālamīn”; Version of nos. 1 and 6 are linguistically correct and most comprehensive. 

 

Benefits of the Salawāt 

Imām Ahmad recorded that Abu Talhah al-Ansārī (radiallāhu`anhu) said: The Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) arose one morning in a very pleasant mood with signs of good tidings apparent on his face. They said, "O Messenger of Allāh, we see that you look happy.'' He said, (The angel came to me and told me, "O Muhammad, would it not please you if your Lord, may He be glorified, says: `No member of your Ummah sends Salāh upon you but I send Salāh upon him tenfold, and no member of your Ummah sends greetings of Salām upon you but I send greetings of Salam upon him tenfold''' I said, "Of course.'') This was also recorded by An-Nasā`ie Ibn Abi Shaybah, `Abd bin Hamīd and at-Tirmidzi; Cited with slightly different wording in Imām Abu Sulayman al-Jazuli's Dala'il al-Khayrat (The Index of Good Things)

Abdullah Ibn Mas`ūd (radiallāhu‘anhu) said that the Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “The closest to me on the Day of Judgment are those who pray (i.e made salawāt) upon me more.”[Ahmad, Tirmidzī and Ibn Hibbān said hasan]

Abū Hurairah (radiyallāhu`anhu) reported the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam)  said: “He who sends prayers upon me on Friday eighty times, Allāh will forgive eighty years of sin”. [Ibn Nu`mān: hasan (good)] Abū Hurairah (radiallāhu`anhu) related that the Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “Increase invoking blessings on me on Friday, for surely it is presented to me”. [Bukhārī and At-Tabarānī recorded it and also Ash-Shāfi`īe in his Musnad.] Another version from Anās Ibn Malik (radiyallāhu`anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “Increase invoking blessings upon me on Friday and the night of Friday. Whoever invokes a single blessing on me, Allāh will bless him ten times”. [Reported by al-Hāfidh as-Suyūtī in his al-Saghīr].Abū ad-Dardā (radiallāhu`anhu) related that the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “Increase invoking blessings upon me on Friday, it is witnessed by the Angels” [Ibn Mājah in which al-Haythamī in his Zawā`id said Sahih.]

Anas ibn Mālik (radiyallāhu`anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allāh (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “There are three under the shade of Allāh on a day when there is no shade except His; the one who relieved a distress from someone from my nation; the one who gave life to my Sunnah and the one who invoked blessings on me (Salawāt) the most”. [Recorded in the Mustadrak and the Musnad of al-Firdaus; Al-Hāfiz as-Suyūtī also recorded it in his Burūj al-Hilāl.]

Ubayy Ibn Ka`ab (radiyallāhu`anhu) said: "After one third of the night the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) used to get up. One such time he (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: O People! Remember Allāh! The rājifa [first blow of the Trumpet] is upon us! The rādifa [second blow of the Trumpet] follows it. Death has come." Ubayy said: Ya Rasūlallāh innī ukthiru al-salāta `alayka fa kam aj `al laka min salātī "O Messenger of Allāh, I make much salawāt upon you as a habit. How much of my prayer should I devote to you?" The Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: "As much as you like." Ubayy said: "A quarter?" The Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: "As you like, but if you add to that it will be better for you." Ubayy then mentioned a third, then a half, then two thirds, and always the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) answered: "As you like, but if you add to that it will be better for you." Finally Ubayy said: Yā Rasūlullāh innī urīdu an aj `ala salātī kullahā lak - "O Messenger of Allāh, I want to devote my entire prayer (i.e. duā’) to you." Whereupon the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: "Then you will be freed from care and your sins will be forgiven." (Another version has: "Then Allāh will suffice you in the matter of your worldly life and your hereafter.") [At-Tirmidzī and al-Hākim: Sahih]

As-Sābūnī (rahimahullāh) said: “If one invokes blessings on the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam), let him combine it with prayers and peace and not fall short on either of them. So, do not say, “Sallallāhu‘alaīh” and not “'alayhis-salām”, only. This is what he said taken from the verse, "O ye, who believe, invoke blessings on him and peace unceasingly." For it is more proper to be said, “Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam”, unceasingly” 

Imam Sakhawi (rahimahullāh) said: “Salāt in this hadith means invocation (duā’) and habitual devotion (wirid) in the following sense: "There is a time in which I make duā’ on behalf of myself: how much of that should I devote to you?" The Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) did not consider that he should place a limit for him in this respect in order not to close the gate of superabundance for him. Accordingly he persisted in giving Ubayy (radiallāhu‘anhu) the choice at the same time as he stressed for him surplus in invocation until Ubayy said: "I shall devote my entire prayer to you." That is: I shall invoke blessings upon you instead of asking anything for myself. Whereupon the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam)  said: "Then you will be freed from care," that is: do not worry either for your Religion or for your worldly need, because invoking blessings on me includes both remembrance of Allāh and rendering honor to the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) ; and the sense of this is an indication to Ubayy that he is actually invoking for himself, as confirmed by the Prophet's (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam)  report on behalf of his Lord: "Whoever is occupied from beseeching Me because of remembering Me, I shall grant him the best of what I grant those who beseech." Know then that if you make most of your worship consist in invoking blessings upon your Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam), Allāh will suffice you in the matter of your worldly life and your hereafter”.

Imām An-Nawawi (rahimahullāh) said, “One should seek both peace and blessings for the Prophet, but not just one of them, and that it is preferable to start any supplication by praising and glorifying Allāh, then seeking blessings and peace for the Prophet. It should be followed by asking Allāh what one wants, and then one ends the supplication by seeking blessings and peace for the Prophet (Sallallāhu`alayhi wasallam)”. [Al-Adhkār]

Sending of Salām to the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallām)

While the Salām upon the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) may be done as in the Tashahhud by saying: “Al-salāmu `alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmat ullahi wa barakātuh’ (Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allāh and His blessings). Or, It may take the form of a duā’, praying that Allāh may keep him sound, such as saying: “Sallallāhu`alayhi wasallām” (May Allāh send blessings and peace upon him from Sallū `ālayhi wasallimū taslīma (Al-Ahzab, 33: 56).

A person’s Sending Salām upon the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallām) may be done by mentioning Allāh’s name al-Salām by way of seeking the blessing of that name and this name is suited to the context because you are asking Allāh to keep him safe and sound, as if one is saying “O Allāh, Whose name is al-Salām, keep your Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam)   safe and sound.” When the word Salām refers to the name of Allāh, it appears with the definite article al-, unlike when the word Salām appears in the context of praying for peace, tranquility and soundness to be bestowed by Allāh upon His slaves, in which case it appears without the definite article. “It is because salām from Allāh Subhanahu wata’ala means any amount of salām, and any amount of salām from Him will be sufficient to make any slave of Allāh would not require any salām from anyone else and no need for any greeting from anyone else; and any salām from Allāh will be sufficient to grant him all of his wishes. So the least Salām from Allāh – and nothing can be described as least when it comes from Allāh – will bring the greatest blessings and will ward off all causes of misery, and will make life good and will ward off all causes of doom and destruction. Therefore in this context, when speaking of Salām from Allāh, there is no need for the definite article.”  

[See Dabā`i’ al-Fawā’id, 2/143]        

     

Salām is meant by being free from evil and faults. So the one who sends Salām upon the Prophet(Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallām)  is praying for him (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallām) in this sense, asking for the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallām) to be protected from evil, faults and shortcomings. As for blessings (barākah), what this means is steadfastness; stability; growth and increase. Praying for blessing for the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallām) means supplicating Allāh to bestow good upon him, to make it lasting, to increase and multiply.

By sending Salawāt and Salām to the Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam); we actually gain enormous benefit, more so in the Hereafter. Therefore, let us make a habit of reciting salawāt to Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) in abundance. And reciting salāwat is especially virtuous on Friday. This is supported by the hadith that reward for virtues are increased on Fridays.

And Allāh Almighty knows best.