Invocation of Blessings on the Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam

Unceasing salawat (invocations of blessings) on the Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam,

The invocation of Blessings on the Holy Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam is styled in Arabic as "Salawat", in Persian as "Durood", and in Urdu as "Salawat-o-Salaam".

This is a well-known invocation of blessings and peace upon the Prophet sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam. Some of the words in it come from the Ansar who greeted the Prophet  Muhammad sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam with outpourings of joy and acclamation when he entered Madinah for his Emigration there.
May Allah forgive the dryness of our tongues and the obduracy of our hearts for the sake of His Beloved Prophet sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam who said: "I was sent only as Mercy? I was not sent as a punishment." [Innama bu`ithtu rahmatun wa lam ub`athu `adhaban.

YA NABI SALAM `ALAYKA

YA RASUL SALAM `ALAYKA

YA HABIB SALAM `ALAYKA

SALAWATULLAH `ALAYKA

O Prophet, Peace be upon you.

O Messenger, Peace be upon you.

O Beloved, Peace be upon you.

The Blessings of Allah be upon you.


The regular recitation of Durood Shareef on Sayidina Rasulullah (Muhammad sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam) lifts up our hearts on to a plane of comprehension where we gaze in our new found peace and moral armor.

The reciters of Durood Shareef will, after some time, come to realize by himself that it is the spontaneous outpouring of his heart before the Great Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam) of Islam, whose love and attachment is needed to get all the present day problems solved and obtain mercy in the next world.

Tradition has it that when our Beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam) was in the Presence of Allah, he greeted him with Attahiyyatu.

Allah responded with:

As-Salamu ‘alaika ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

Peace be upon you, O Prophet! And the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings.

The Prophet (sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam), remembering his Ummah responded with:

As-Salamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘Ibadillahi’s-salihin

Peace be on us and on all the righteous servants of Allah.

The angels who heard this responded with the Tashahhud (Testimony of Faith).

Tradition also has it that the Prophet (sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam) received the last three verses of Surah al-Baqarah (2:284-286) on Miraj.

The Holy Quran and Hadith say about Durood Shareef (Salawat):

"Inna llaha wa Mala’ikatihi Yusalluna Alan nabi.

Ya Ayu halla zina amanu sallu alaihi wasallimu tasleema." (Surah Ai-Ahzab, Verse 56)

Almighty Allah says: "Surely Allah and His Angels send blessings on the Holy Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam). O you who believe!

Send Blessings, Durood) and Salutations (Salaams) on the Prophet with worthy Salutation". (Surah al-Ahzab: 56)

In this verse of the Holy Quran, Almighty Allah, His Mala’ikah and the Muslims have been mentioned as sending Durood upon Sayidina Rasulullah (Muhammad sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam). So, Durood Shareef is actually "a Du’aa in praise of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Muhammad sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam)."

Hazrat Anas (radiyallaahu anhu) narrates that Sayidina Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: "He who reads a single Durood upon me, Almighty Allah blesses him ten times, ten of his sins are forgiven, and he is increased ten times in stages (internally). (Mishkaat)

Reciting salawat and salaam for Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam) and for other Prophets (sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam) is a reflection of the commitment, affection and respect felt towards them. This task can be performed anywhere anytime. In fact, the only deed Almighty Allah commands His servants to perform and acknowledges of Himself performing is the act of reciting salawat and salaam. In one the verses, He decrees "Lo! Allah and His angels recite salawat for the Prophet..."

The dictionary meaning for the term "Salat" is "prayer, Salah, and blessing."   When the salawat comes from Allah, it is used in the sense of a blessing; when it comes from the angels, it is used in the sense that they wish to receive His divine forgiveness; when the salawat is recited by the believers, it implies the act of praying.

In the 56th verse of the Surah Al-Ahzab, we are asked to recite just as much salaam for the Prophet as the Salats. Salaam does not only refer to the name of Allah but also denotes greeting, being free of faults and such meanings as safety and peace.

The overall intention in reciting salawat and salaam is honoring the Holy Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam and paying him respect. The way he is praised in this world is by glorifying his deeds, spreading his religion and struggling to maintain it. For the afterlife, one prays for the Prophet's good deeds to increase and for him to be rendered as the intercessor of his people.

"The benefit of the salawat for the Holy Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam comes back to the person who recites it. The act of reciting salawat shows the sincere faith and aim of the reciters, his affection for the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam, his observance of the worship and his respect. .

Reciting Salawat enables the person to contact the spirit of the Holy Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam and to benefit from his light. When a person recites salawat for him, the Holy Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam recites twice as much salawat (wishes blessing) as that of the reciters.

FOR WHOM SHOULD WE RECITE SALAAT AND SALAAM?

The salawat and salaam is recited only for the Prophets. The Prophets are honored and   valued by these prayers. When the name of Allah is uttered, He is revered by reciting the fact that He is free of defects.

For the other Prophets, the expression "Alayhi Salaam" is used, whereas the forgiveness and consent of Allah is sought for the leading Islamic figures ("the prayer Radiyallaahu Anhu -May Allah bless him" is stated for the companions,” the prayer Rahmatullahi- May Allah have mercy on him is stated for the scholars, and for the awliyâ (spiritual leaders).

Moreover, the salawat recited by the Holy Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam in return for those reciting salawat for him implies that he is praying for them
.
 As a matter of fact, he commanded the following on this issue:  "Whoever sends salaam for me, Allah at that point returns my soul to my body and I grant my salaam to that person.” In the hadith (sayings of the Prophet) it is also expressed that there are angels in charge of conveying the salawat and salaams to the Holy Prophet.

THE PLACE AND AUTHORITY OF SALAAT AND SALAAM

It is a religious duty to recite salawat and salaam for the Holy Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam. In a verse: Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’aala (GOD) orders: "O! Allah and His angels shower blessings on the Prophet. O you who believe! Ask blessings on him and salute him with a worthy salutation."

There are many hadiths reported on the importance of reciting salawat and salaam.

"When you hear the muezzin (caller to prayer) recites azan (call to prayer), recite azan like him and recite salawat for me."

"Whoever recites salawat for me once, Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’aala (GOD) shows His blessings for him ten times."

"Whoever recites salawat for me once, Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’aala (GOD) recites salawat for him ten times, his ten mistakes are forgiven, and he is elevated ten degrees high"

We learn from many hadiths that reading salawat is conducive to forgiveness, that writing salawat and salaam wherever his name is encountered causes angels to repent and that the ones who frequently recite salawat and salaam for the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam will be saved from the dreadfulness of the Judgment Day.

The person who does not recite salawat and salaam when he hears the name of the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam commits an evil deed which must be denounced. As a matter of fact, in a hadith, it is stated that an evil person is the one who does not recite salawat and salaam for the Holy Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam.

Indeed, reciting salawat and salaam is an obligation. In a gathering, it is obligatory to recite salawat and salaam once when the name of the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam is uttered; it is recommended to recite salawat and salaam in accordance with the number of times that his name is uttered.

It is accepted as Sunnah (practice of the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam) to recite salawat and salaam in Salah (ritual prayer) after saying at-Tahiyyat. It is recommended to recite salawat and salaam and it is conducive to the acceptance of prayer when saying prayers regardless of which prayer is said.

Apart from these occasions, on Fridays, it is also recommended to recite salawat and salaam when entering the mosque and when performing the funeral Salah. Furthermore, Hanafis recite salawat and salaam after "at-Tahiyyat" prayer of "Salii and Barik" salawat as Sunnah, and Shafi recite salawat and salaam after "at-Tahiyyat" prayer of "Salii and Barik" salawat as an obligation.

SALAAT AND SALAAM EXPRESSIONS

. The shortest salawat is "Allahumma sally ala Muhammadin..."
                   
 .....Most commonly read salawat:

                    "Allahumma sally ala Muhammadin... (" Which means?” O Allah! Honor Muhammad on earth by glorifying His deeds and by spreading His religion. Let your blessings come upon Him after life, render Him as the intercessor of His people and ascend Him to Maqaam al-Mahmood." "Wa’ala Ali Muhammadin..." which means, "May your grace and peace rest upon Muhammad." "Kama sallaita ala Ibrahima wa ala alley Ibrahima...” "(Which means, “As you blessed Abraham and the family of Abraham?" "Innaka Hamidun majidun" which means, "Verily you are the Praiseworthy and Glorious."
                    "Allahumma Barik alaa Muhammadin WA ala Alley Muhammad... (." which means, "O Allah! Confer your blessings on Muhammad and the family of the Muhammad." "Kama Barikta ala Ibrahima wa ala Ali Ibrahima..." "As you confer your blessings on Abraham and the family of Abraham." "Innaka Hamidun majidun" which means, "Verily you are the Praiseworthy and Glorious."

Recitation of Durood Shareef (Salawat) is in perfect obedience to the Divine Command and in complete conformity with the teachings of Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) of Islam. There is no scope to choose anything else when we have with us the words of Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’aala (GOD) and His Apostle, Sayidina Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

The Commands of Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’aala (GOD) and the Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to recite Salawat-o-Salaam is unconditional i.e. no where in Quran or Hadiths, Allah or His Messenger (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned in what position we have to send Salawat and Salaam and how loud? It is entirely up to believers in what position and volume he or she invokes Salawat-o-Salaam, whether while sitting or laying on bed/floor or standing still or walking, it does not matter. Since we respect our beloved prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) the most after Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’aala (GOD), it is the demand of this respect that we stand up and send Salat-o-Salaam to the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam)   

“Whoever, on the night proceeding Friday, prays 2nafl- rak’ah, reciting Ayat al Kursi 5 times in each rak’ah after Fatiha, and then after this Salah, sits and prays salawat 1,000 times upon the Prophet Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam and then he will see him in his dream.”

The highest blessings, which Islam has conferred on man is the concept of Tawhid or Unity of Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’aala (GOD) in its purest form. This has been furnished to mankind through Sayidina Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam), the last of the Prophets. It is a cardinal duty of every Muslim man and woman, young and old to entertain the highest respect, regard, love and esteem for the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and his family. It should be clear that obedience to Sayidina Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is always to be charged with intense love and highest regard for him, for it is through love and esteem that truth can be comprehended and communion with the Creator can be vouch-safe. In fact, love is the motive force, reverence dissolves and implicit obedience to the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) which is the natural outcome. It is therefore incumbent on those who love him, to pray to Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’aala (GOD) and His Angels in wishing for him peace according to the Divine Command. This will reshape the life which is otherwise infested with turmoil. The reciters will get countless and matchless benefits in both the Worlds and can claim to be the lover of Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

The reason why Abraham and his family are mentioned in both of these salawat is because he is among the prophets qualified as "Ulu al-Azm (great)" for having rebuilt the Kabba. Another reason is to reciprocate to the prayer Abraham he said for Ummah al-Muhammad sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam (people of Muhammad sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam) while he was building the Kabba.

Ghufraanaka Rabbanaa WA ‘alaika masiyr

WA sallallaahu Ta’aala ‘alaa Sayidina WA Mawlana Muhammadin WA Alayhi WA Sahabihi wasallam

May Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’aala (GOD) make our efforts sincere and keep us all on the straight path...........

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