Salawat

''Salawat'' ( ar, صَلَوَات, ' ''salat''; also referred to as ''divine blessings on Muhammad'', ''durood shareef'' or ''durood-e-Ibrahim'') is an Islamic complimentary Arabic phrase, which contains the salutation upon Muhammad. This phrase is usually expressed by the Muslims as part of their five times daily prayers (usually during the tashahhud) and also when Muhammad's name is mentioned.

''Salawat'' is a plural form of ''salat'' ( ar, صَلَاة) and from the triliteral root of ''ṣ-l-w'' the letters "ṣād-lām-wāw" () which means "prayer" or "salutation".

Arabic philologists hold the view that the meaning of the word ''salawat'' would vary according to who has used the word, and to whom it is used for.

In Islamic context

"When Muhammad sends Salawat upon the believers, it indicates his prayer for their welfare, blessing and salvation."

In Islam, when a Muslim or Islamic angels (malā'ikah) recite salawat, it means they are sending it to the prophet and are showing Allah their respect for Muhammad, while when the same is sending upon prophet by Allah himself, it means he is blessed by Allah.

* Muhammad was also reported saying: "The meanest person is he who does not invoke Salawat upon me when my name is mentioned in his presence."

* Ibn Asakri has transmitted from al-Hasan bin Ali that Muhammad said: "Invoke more Salawat upon me, for your invocation is conducive to your sins being forgiven. And pray for me a high status and intercession, for surely my intercession will plead in your favour before Allah."
* There was a narration from Ja'far al-Sadiq from Muhammad. He said: "All supplications to Allah will remain in a veil from the sky until a Salawat is sent to Mohammad PBUH and his Household."
* In another tradition, Ja'far al-Sadiq was quoted that: "Whoever sends Salawat on the Prophet PBH and his Household means 'I am standing on the promise that I gave when Allah asked me, 'Am I not your lord? And I answered yes you are.'"

Recommended Salawat

According to various reports, the following Salawat are recommended by Muhammad:

ʾAllāhumma ṣalli ʿalā Muḥammadin wa ʿalā ʾāli Muḥammadin kamā ṣallayta ʿalā ʾIbrāhīma wa ʿalā ʾāli ʾIbrāhīma ʾinnaka Ḥamīdun Majīdun ʾAllāhumma bārik ʿalā Muḥammadin wa ʿalā ʾāli Muḥammadin kamā bārakta ʿalā ʾIbrāhīma wa ʿalā ʾāli ʾIbrāhīma ʾinnaka Ḥamīdun Majīdun

Muhammad was also reported to have said: "Do not invoke incomplete salawat upon me". His Sahabah asked him: "What is incomplete salawat?" He replied them: "When you say: 'O Allah, send blessing to Muhammad' and then stop on that. Rather say: ٱللَّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ 'O Allah! send Your blessing to Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad."

Variants of Salawat

There are several variant phrases of Salawat that may be used. The most common phrases are:

Islamic beliefs regarding the merits of reciting Salawat

*He who sends 10 Salawat upon Muhammad and his household, God and his angels will send 1,000 Salawat upon him, and whoever send 1,000 Salawat upon Muhammad and his household, the fire of hell won't affect him.
*Sending Salawat upon Muhammad and his progeny paves way for his intercession on the judgement day.
*Sending Salawat upon Muhammad and his progeny served as a compensation for sins.
*Sending Salawat upon Muhammad and his household is the most weighty deed on the scale of deeds.
*Salawat upon Muhammad and his households led to the affection of God and his messenger.
*Salawat upon Muhammad and his household purifies deeds.
*Salawat upon Muhammad and his household will serve as the light in the grave, As-Sirāt bridge and Paradise.
*Salawat lightens and opens the heart.
*Salawat is one of the best deeds on Friday.
*Reciting Salawat aloud vanishes hypocrisy.
*Sending Salawat upon Muhammad and his households releases one from the fire of hell.
*Continuous recitation of Salawat fulfils one's worldly and heavenly wants (supplication).

Unicode

See also

References

External links

Collection of Durood Shareef

Durood-e-Ibrahim

{{Commons category
Muhammad
Hadith
Islamic terminology
Sufism
Religious formulas