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BismillahhirRahmannirRahim
Offering Salutation [Darud-o-Salaam] on Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) � its merit and excellence
by Shaykh Ahmed Abdul Mujeeb Qasmi Nadvi (translated by Muhammad Owais Jafrey)
Prophets and Messengers have always served as a link between the Creator and the created. They are the only source of divine guidance for mankind. It is only through them that we recognize our Creator and are able to distinguish right from wrong and vice from virtue. They are the ones who lead us light by practicing the Message they were sent with. They have taught us why and how to please Allah (SWT) and they are the ones who have warned us against Allah (SWT) displeasure and wrath. Reward and punishment and success and failure, both lie in following their teachings. Aayah 43 of Surah Al-Aa�raf tells us that the people destined for Paradise while entering will say:
�Praise be to Allah, Who guided us to this [Paradise]: had Allah not guided us, we would have never found the way��
And they will soon add: �without doubt the Messengers of our Lord brought the Truth.�
The status which has been given to our beloved Prophet (SAW) among all Prophets and Messengers is unique. He is superior most and excels all among Allah�s creations. Last in the chain of Prophets, being the greatest benefactor of humanity, in him (SAW) culminates the perfection of all earlier Messages. We are indebted to him more than anyone else because he connected us with Allah (SWT) and the only way to express our gratitude to him (SAW) is to submit supplication to Allah (SWT) that He may shower His blessings upon him (SAW) and raise his (SAW)�s status to the degree which only He (SWT) knows best. Aayah 56 of Surah Ahzaab says:
�Indeed Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet. O you who believe, you should ask and send blessings and peace on him.�
This Aayah tells us that the act of Darud-o-Salaam on Prophet (SAW) by Allah (SWT) and His angels is an ongoing practice. Any one from Prophet (SAW)� Ummah who sends Darud-o-Salaam on Prophet (SAW) does a favor to his own self and earns a reward for it. This Aayah also tell us that the while invoking Allah�s Blessings by offering Benediction (Salat) and Salutations (Salaam) on Prophet (SAW), we earn the privilege of joining Allah (SWT) and His angels in doing so. It is the only one and singular act in which we stand in unison with Allah and His angels. There are other acts like Prayers, Fasting, and Hajj for which Allah did not say that He practices them and commanded us to join Him.
Allah�s sending Salat on His Messenger means that He (SWT) is very kind to His Prophet. He praises him, blesses his work, exalts his name, and showers His mercies on him. Blessings of the angels mean: Angels love the Prophet most dearly and pray to Allah to bless him with the highest ranks, cause his religion and Shari�ah to flourish and exalt him to the laudable position. In our invocation we mean: �Yaa Allah (SWT), the Lord of the worlds: just as your Prophet has done us countless and endless favors, so do You also show him endless and limitless mercy; raise him to the highest ranks in this world and bless him with the greatest nearness to Yourself in the Hereafter.�
Abu Muhammad Ka�b bin Ujrah (RA) said that the companions submitted to Prophet (SAW): �Yaa Rasul Allah, we already knew how to greet you (i.e., say Assalaamu Alaikum), but how we should invoke blessings upon you?�
In his reply Prophet (SAW) asked them to recite Darud. Its closest translation would be:
�Yaa Allah, send Your Graces, Honors, and Mercy on Muhammad and his family and followers of Muhammad as You sent Your Graces, Honors, and Mercy on Ibrahim and on the family and followers of Ibrahim. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. Yaa Allah, send Your Blessings upon Muhammad and family and followers of Muhammad as You sent Your blessings to Ibrahim and on the family and followers of Ibrahim. Verily, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.� [Bukhari and Muslim]
Allah (SWT) accepts each and every supplication of a Momin, but invoking Allah (SWT) Mercy and offering Benediction and Salutation on Prophet (SAW) is guaranteed to be accepted by Allah (SWT). Scholars and puritans assure us that when Allah (SWT) accepts the Darud in the beginning and at the end of a supplication, He in His infinite Mercy wouldn�t leave the middle part of the supplication for wanting of His acceptance. We should therefore make it a practice to recite Darud before and after our supplications.
There are many merits on offering benediction and salutations on Prophet (SAW) and scholars have written volumes after volumes on this subject. Let me share with you just a few traditions:
Abdullah bin Amr (RA) narrates that he heard Prophet (SAW) say: �Whoever invokes blessings on me once, Allah will grant him ten blessings.�
According to Ibn Masud Prophet (SAW) said: �The people who will be nearest to me on the Day of Resurrection will be those who invoke blessings on me frequently. [Tirmizi]
Aus bin Aus (RA) relates that Prophet (SAW) said: �Among the best of your days is Friday; so invoke blessings on me frequently on that day, for your invocations will be presented to me.� When companions asked: �Ya Rasul Allah, how will our blessings be conveyed to you when your decayed body will have mixed with the earth?� He (SAW) replied: �Allah has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of the Prophets.� [Abu Dawood]
Imaam Bukhari (RehmA) in his celebrated book �Al Adabul Mufrad� writes that Abu Saeed Khudri (RA) narrated that Prophet (SAW) said:
�If any Muslim is in a situation that he may not have any thing to give in Sadiqa/charity, he should then recite in his supplication:
�Allahumma Sal�lay Ala Muhammadin Abdika wa Rasulika wa Sal�lay Alil Momineena wal Mominaati wal Muslimeena wal Muslimaat.�
This Darud is equal to giving a Sadiqa/charity, said Prophet (SAW).
Anyone who does not offer benediction and salutation is a looser and an unfortunate one.
Abu Hureyrah (RA) quotes Prophet (SAW), who said: �May his nose soil with dust in whose presence mention is made of me and he does not invoke blessings upon me.�
In classical proverbial Arabic �nose soil with dust� means to suffer humiliation and disgrace.
Sayyidina Ali (RA) narrates that Prophet (SAW) said: �He is a miser in whose presence mention of me is made but he does not invoke blessings upon me.� [Tirmizi]
Fadalah bin Ubaid (RA) narrates that Prophet (SAW) heard someone supplicating after his prayers without praising Allah and invoking His blessings on His Messenger. He (SAW) exclaimed: �That man prayed in a hurry.� Then he (SAW) called the man and addressed him as such: �When anyone of you have offered Salat (prayer) and wants to supplicate, he should glorify and extol the praise of Allah in the beginning and then he should invoke Allah�s blessings upon me. Then he may supplicate for whatever he likes.� [Abu Dawood & Tirmizi]
It is a matter of honor and privilege to offer benediction and salutations on Prophet (SAW) and it is an indication of one�s faith. It has many benefits especially while facing hardships. Hafiz Sakhavi (RehmA) has mentioned many merits of Darud, which I would like to share with you:
1. Reciting Darud is in accordance with the command of Allah (SWT), and its negligence is contrary to Iman. 2. One earns the privilege of joining Allah (SWT), and His angels by reciting Darud. 3. Its recitation entitles man to earn ten (10) blessings, his status is raised (10) times, ten (10) virtues are added to his credit, and ten (10) of his sins are forgiven. 4. Possibility of the acceptance of �du�a� supplication is much enhanced because it being accompanied with Darud before and after. 5. The person who recites Darud will be closer to Prophet (SAW) on the Day of Judgment, he (SAW) not only prays for Allah�s mercy for him, but will also become his intercessor on the Day of Judgment. 6. Allah (SWT) takes care of the needs of a person who recites Darud. 7. Darud is equal to the Sadiqa/charity given to a destitute; it brings Barakah and recovery from poverty, hardships, sufferings, and disease. 8. It invites Allah (SWT)�s Mercy and Angels pray for such a person, who recites Darud. 9. Darud purifies the soul, the heart and the wealth. 10. It gives the glad tidings of Paradise before death, saves from the pangs of death and the hardships of the Day of Judgment. 11. The assembly in which Darud is recited is exalted and purified. 12. The name of the person who recites Darud is taken off the list of misers. [Jila�ul Afhaam, by Hafiz ibn Qayyim]
Though one can recite Darud without any limit at all permissible time either in heart of by tongue, but scholars in the light of Prophet (SAW)�s traditions have identified situations when it should be offered:
1. In the prayers after Tashah�hud as narrated by Abu Mas�ood Uqbah bin Amr Ansari, Fuzala bin Ubaidah. 2. In the funeral prayer after the second Takbeer. [Author Abdul Razzaq] 3. In the congregational prayers of Jum�a, Eid-ul-Fitr, and Eid-ul-Adha. [Musnad Ahmad] 4. After Azaan [Muslim - 384] 5. While making Du�a/supplication. Sayyidina Ali (RA) says that there remains a veil in between the Du�a and Allah (SWT), until the Darud is recited and the Du�a is accepted. A Du�a without a Darud is not accepted. [Al-Targheeb. 3: 165] 6. While entering and leaving the Masjid. [Abu Dawood, Tirmizi] 7. On the mounts of Safa and Marwah. 8. While meeting or dispersing in an assembly. Prophet (SAW) said that when people get together and disperse and don�t glorify Allah (SWT) and don�t recite Darud, their assembly and dispersion is like standing by a stinking dead body. [Abu Dawood Tayalasi : p 1756] 9. When the name of Prophet (SAW) is pronounced.
Prophet (SAW) said that the one who recites Darud ten (10) times during morning and evening will find my intercession on the Day of Qiyamah. [Majmua-e-Zawa�id. 10 : 120]
10. While paying respects to Prophet (SAW) at his (SAW)�s blessed grave. 11. While going to the market place and joining an assembly. 12. On the occasion of Eid prayers. 13. On Fridays, especially during Friday night. 14. On the beginning and conclusion of the recitation of the Holy Qur�an.
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (RehmA) has much emphasized supplication on the conclusion of the recitation of the Holy Qur�an. Anas (RA) used to supplicate at the conclusion of the recitation of the Holy Qur�an, and since it is an auspicious occasion, it is also an ominous moment to recite the Darud. [Jila-ul-Afhaam. p. 330]
15. While facing a hardship, going through a calamity and seeking forgiveness from Allah (SWT).
We owe our gratitude to Prophet (SAW) for his countless favors and the best way to express our thanks to him is to practice whatever he has taught us and by recitation of Darud-o-Salaam on him as much as we can.
May Allah enable us to realize the importance of the gift of life and the countless blessings we have been bestowed with and utilize our time prudently and wisely and the way it pleases Allah (SWT) and His Messenger (SAW). Aameen!
Note: SWT = Subhanahu Wa Ta'Ala SAW = Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam
AS =
AlehisSalam RAnha= Radhiyallaho anha
The Friday Khutbahs are published to enhance your knowledge of Islam. The references of Quran and Hadith are the approximate translation of the Arabic text. The editors have not verified the accuracy of the the English translation. The scholarly reader is encouraged to refer to the original Arabic script if there is any doubt. Kindly notify us if the translation can be enhanced. |
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