Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … The view of some Companions, including Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas'ud radi Allahu anhu, was that after the passing of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, one should not say "as-salamu 'alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu" (peace be upon you, O Prophet) using the direct address form, because sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is no longer present. Therefore, after his sallallahu alayhi wa sallam's demise, they considered it more appropriate to say "as-salamu 'ala an-nabiyyi" (peace be upon the Prophet). Nowadays, those who try to derive the meaning of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam hearing and being present from the words "as-salamu 'alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu" should first reflect on the belief of the Companions regarding whether, after the passing of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, they believed he could hear or not, and on what basis they were not willing to use the words of direct address. According to a group of Companions, our view is that the words taught by the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam should be transmitted and recited in the tashahhud as they are, because using the words of direct address does not necessarily imply the presence of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, nor does it necessitate that he hears or is being made to hear.