Peace and Blessings

Commanded to Love: Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Part VI | Part VII | Part VIII | Part IX | Part X | Part XI | Part XII | Part XIII | Part XIV

Over and over again, we send blessing on the Prophet ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him), but do we know the meaning of what we are saying or why we are even saying it? Understanding what it is that we repeat at every mention of our beloved’s name will not only increase our love for him but increase our awareness of how great this man really was.

Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala (exalted is He) says:

“Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace.” [Qur’an, 33: 56]

Shaikh al-Sa’di says, “And in this there is an indication of the Prophet’s completeness, high rank, elevated status with Allah and His creation, and his wide fame. Indeed, Allah the Exalted and His angels confer blessings upon him, meaning that Allah praises him before the angels, and in the exalted assembly of angels due to His love for him. And the angels also praise him, make du`a’  [supplication] for him, and seek forgiveness for him in humbleness and humility. “

Subhan’Allah (glory be to God), imagine the status of our beloved! Pure, sinless angels praise him and make du`a’ for him. Not only that – our Creator praises him before these pure creations Himself!

He (Shaikh Sa’di) continues: “Oh you who believe, ask Allah to send blessings upon him and ask Allah to grant him peace. Through this you will be following the example of Allah and the angels, rewarding him for some of the rights he has upon you, completing your faith, glorifying him, loving and honoring him, increasing your good deeds, and expiating your sins.“

When should we send salah (prayers) and salam (peace)?

There is only one time that the salah and salam upon the Prophet ﷺ is mandatory, and that is in the last part of the prayer, the tashahhud (when one sits down after the last sajda). There are, however, many times that sending salah and salam upon the Prophet ﷺ are highly recommended. These include:

• After hearing his name mentioned
• After hearing the athaan (call to prayer)
• While making du`a’
• During the prayer of janaza (offered when a person dies)
• During the Friday khutba (sermon)
• When entering or leaving the masjid
• All through the day of Jumu`ah (Friday)
• When teaching and conveying knowledge
• At the time of the marriage contract
• In times of hardship and stress

Some of the virtues of sending salah and salam upon the Prophet ﷺ:

• Fulfilling the command of Allah (swt), as in the ayah (verse) mentioned above
• Following the example of Allah (swt) and the angels
• Receiving ten salawaat (prayers) from Allah (swt):

The Prophet ﷺ said, “He who sends blessings on me once, Allah sends blessings on him ten times and removes from him ten sins and raises him by ten degrees.” (Nisaa`i)

• Having the intercession of the Prophet ﷺ on the Day of Judgment:

The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever sends blessings on me ten times in the morning and ten times in the evening will have my intercession on the Day of Judgment.” (Sahih al-Jami’ as-Sagheer)

• Relief from worries and sins:

Ubayy bin Ka`b relates:  I said, “O Messenger of Allah, I send much blessings on you. What proportion of my prayer should I devote to (sending blessings on) you?”

He said, “As much as you like.”
I said, “A quarter?”

He said, “As much as you like, and if you increased it would only be better for you.”
I said, “Then a half?”

He said, “As much as you like and if you increased then it would only be better for you.”
I said, “Then two thirds?”

He said, “As much as you like and if you increased it would only be better for you.”

I said, “I’ll devote all of my prayers to sending blessings on you.”

The Prophet said, “In that case it will suffice you from your worries and your sins will be forgiven.” (Tirmidhi)

• It increases your love for the Prophet ﷺ.

اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

“O Allah! Send Your mercy on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your mercy on Abraham and on the family of Abraham. And send Your blessings on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent your Blessings on Abraham and on the family of Abraham. Verily You are the Most Praise-worthy, the Most Glorious.”