Abu Dawud

982. Commentary:
➊ The meaning of «صلواة» has already been mentioned at the beginning of the chapter.

➋ «آل» actually means "person" and is used for someone who has a personal connection with another, and this word is always used in an annexed form to a person of honor and superiority. By "Aal al-Nabi" is meant the relatives of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and according to some, it refers to those who, in terms of knowledge and gnosis, have a special connection with the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. The explanation is that the people of religion are of two types: one, those who are firm and established in knowledge, who can be called "Aal al-Nabi" and also "his Ummah"; and the second, those whose knowledge and practice are superficial and imitative, who can be called the Ummah of Muhammad, but not "Aal Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam." In this way, there is a general-specific relationship between "Ummah" and "Aal": that is, every member of the Aal al-Nabi is included in his Ummah, but not every member of the Ummah is from the Aal al-Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. For details, see: [مفردات راغب اصفهاني]

Authentic hadiths and various forms of salutations (salawat) prove that among the Prophet's sallallahu alayhi wa sallam household and Aal are included: Aal Ali, Aal Ja'far, Aal Aqil, Aal Abbas, the purified wives (azwaj mutahharat), and all the children of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.

➌ In «كما صليت», there is no well-known analogy in which the lesser is likened to the greater; rather, in it, an unfamiliar matter is connected to a well-known and recognized one to bring it closer to the minds, just as Allah's light is likened to the light of a lamp. «اللَّـهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ مَثَلُ نُورِهِ كَمِشْكَاةٍ فِيهَا مِصْبَاحٌ ۖ» [النور 35] Since the greatness of Ibrahim alayhis salam and his Aal, and the sending of salat upon them, was well-known and recognized among all groups, the general instruction for sending salat upon Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, was also given in the same manner. This does not include the concept of quantity. Another meaning is that since among the Aal of our master Ibrahim alayhis salam there are many prophets and messengers, and among them is the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam himself, then for all of them, as much salat as was sent down, that great amount of salat is being requested only for Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and his Aal. «والله اعلم»

For details, see: [مرعاة المفاتحيح۔ شرح مشكواة المصابيح باب الصلواة على النبى حديث 924]