Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Allâh sends His Salât (Graces, Honours, Blessings, Mercy) on the Prophet (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), and also His angels (ask Allâh to bless and forgive him). O you who believe! Send your Salât on (ask Allâh to bless) him (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), and (you should) greet (salute) him with the Islâmic way of greeting (salutation i.e. As-Salâmu ‘Alaikum ).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
إِنَّinnaIndeed
ٱللَّهَl-lahaAllah
وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتَهُۥwamalāikatahuand His Angels
يُصَلُّونَyuṣallūnasend blessings
عَلَىʿalāupon
ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚl-nabiyithe Prophet
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَاyāayyuhāO you who believe
ٱلَّذِينَalladhīnaO you who believe
ءَامَنُوا۟āmanūO you who believe
صَلُّوا۟ṣallūSend blessings
عَلَيْهِʿalayhion him
وَسَلِّمُوا۟wasallimūand greet him
تَسْلِيمًاtaslīman(with) greetings
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 56) ➊ The explanation of the word {اِنَّاللّٰهَوَمَلٰٓىِٕكَتَهٗيُصَلُّوْنَعَلَىالنَّبِيِّ … :} in {’’صلاة‘‘} has already passed previously in verse (43), regarding what {’’صلاة‘‘} means in relation to Allah, the angels, and the believers. In this surah, several special characteristics granted to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) by Allah are mentioned, such as his having more right over the believers than their own selves, the permissibility for him to have more than four wives, his being the Seal of the Prophets, his wives being the Mothers of the Believers, the special observance of their veil and respect, and the prohibition of marrying his wives after him, etc. The word { ’’ اِنَّ ‘‘} is generally used for reasoning, i.e., to state the reason for the previous matters. In the verse under explanation, the reason is mentioned for commanding the Muslims to pay special attention to the high ranks of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and to preserve and respect them. Ibn Kathir says: “The purpose of this verse is that Allah, the Exalted, is informing about the high status and rank of His servant and Prophet in the highest assembly of the heavens, that Allah Himself praises and extols him and sends mercy and blessings upon him, and His angels also pray for mercy, forgiveness, and elevation of ranks for him. After informing about the people of the heavens, now He commands the people of the earth that you too should send prayers and peace upon him, so that in praising and extolling him, and in praying for forgiveness, mercy, and blessings for him, both the higher world (the people of the heavens) and the lower world (the people of the earth) become united.”
➋ The last words of the verse indicate that some words are omitted in the speech, which are self-evident, i.e., from {’’ صَلُّوْاعَلَيْهِوَسَلِّمُوْاتَسْلِيْمًا ‘‘} it is clear that the beginning of the verse is like this: {’’ إِنَّاللّٰهَوَمَلَائِكَتَهُيُصَلُّوْنَعَلَيالنَّبِيِّوَيُسَلِّمُوْنَ‘‘} This is called ihtibak and it is a manifestation of the beauty of the divine speech. (Biqai) The mention of Allah’s peace upon the Prophets (peace be upon them) has come in the Qur’an separately, such as: « سَلٰمٌعَلٰىنُوْحٍفِيالْعٰلَمِيْنَ », « وَسَلٰمٌعَلٰۤىاِبْرٰهِيْمَ », etc., and collectively as well, such as: « وَسَلٰمٌعَلَىالْمُرْسَلِيْنَ »[ دیکھیے الصافات : ۷۹، ۱۰۹، ۱۸۱ ]
➌ Several wordings for sending prayers (salat) upon the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) are narrated from him, all of which can be recited for this purpose. The most famous among them is the hadith of Ka‘b bin ‘Ujrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who says: [ سَأَلْنَارَسُوْلَاللّٰهِصَلَّیاللّٰهُعَلَيْهِوَسَلَّمَفَقُلْنَايَارَسُوْلَاللّٰهِ! كَيْفَالصَّلَاةُعَلَيْكُمْأَهْلَالْبَيْتِ؟فَإِنَّاللّٰهَقَدْعَلَّمَنَاكَيْفَنُسَلِّمُ،قَالَقُوْلُوْااَللّٰهُمَّصَلِّعَلٰیمُحَمَّدٍوَّعَلٰیآلِمُحَمَّدٍكَمَاصَلَّيْتَعَلٰیإِبْرَاهِيْمَوَعَلٰیآلِإِبْرَاهِيْمَإِنَّكَحَمِيْدٌمَّجِيْدٌ،اَللّٰهُمَّبَارِكْعَلٰیمُحَمَّدٍوَّعَلٰیآلِمُحَمَّدٍكَمَابَارَكْتَعَلٰیإِبْرَاهِيْمَوَعَلٰیآلِإِبْرَاهِيْمَإِنَّكَحَمِيْدٌمَجِيْدٌ ][ بخاري، أحادیث الأنبیاء، باب : ۳۳۷۰ ] “We asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): ‘We said: How should we send prayers upon you, the People of the House (Ahl al-Bayt)? For Allah has taught us how to send peace upon you.’ He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘Say: O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim, indeed You are Praiseworthy, Glorious. And O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim, indeed You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.’” In this hadith and other ahadith, the Companions’ statement that Allah has taught us how to send peace upon you refers to the teaching of peace in the tashahhud of prayer. ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: [ عَلَّمَنِيْرَسُوْلُاللّٰهِصَلَّیاللّٰهُعَلَيْهِوَسَلَّمَ،وَكَفِّيْبَيْنَكَفَّيْهِ،التَّشَهُّدَكَمَايُعَلِّمُنِيالسُّوْرَةَمِنَالْقُرْآنِ : اَلتَّحِيَّاتُلِلّٰهِوَالصَّلَوَاتُوَالطَّيِّبَاتُ،اَلسَّلَامُعَلَيْكَاَيُّهَاالنَّبِيُّوَرَحْمَةُاللّٰهِوَبَرَكَاتُهُ،اَلسَّلَامُعَلَيْنَاوَعَلٰیعِبَادِاللّٰهِالصَّالِحِيْنَ،أَشْهَدُأَنْلَّاإِلٰهَإِلَّااللّٰهُوَأَشْهَدُأَنَّمُحَمَّدًاعَبْدُهُوَرَسُوْلُهُ ][بخاري، الاستئذان، باب الأخذ بالیدین : ۶۲۶۵ ] “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) taught me the tashahhud as he would teach me a surah of the Qur’an, and at that time my palm was between his two palms: ‘All verbal acts of worship are for Allah, and all physical acts of worship and all financial acts of worship. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger.’”
Just as this hadith shows that the teaching of acting upon {’’ سَلِّمُوْاتَسْلِيْمًا ‘‘} in the verse is given by the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) within the tashahhud of prayer with the words of peace, similarly, the Companions requested from him (peace and blessings be upon him) the words of salat to be recited in prayer. Thus, Abu Mas‘ud ‘Uqbah bin ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) says: [ أَقْبَلَرَجُلٌحَتّٰیجَلَسَبَيْنَيَدَيْرَسُوْلِاللّٰهِصَلَّیاللّٰهُعَلَيْهِوَسَلَّمَوَنَحْنُعِنْدَهُفَقَالَيَارَسُوْلَاللّٰهِ! اَمَّاالسَّلَامُعَلَيْكَفَقَدْعَرَفْنَاهُفَكَيْفَنُصَلِّيْعَلَيْكَإِذَانَحْنُصَلَّيْنَافِيْصَلَاتِنَاصَلَّیاللّٰهُعَلَيْكَ؟قَالَفَصَمَتَرَسُوْلُاللّٰهِصَلَّیاللّٰهُعَلَيْهِوَسَلَّمَحَتّٰیأَحْبَبْنَاأَنَّالرَّجُلَلَمْيَسْأَلْهُفَقَالَإِذَاأَنْتُمْصَلَّيْتُمْعَلَيَّفَقُوْلُوْااَللّٰهُمَّصَلِّعَلٰیمُحَمَّدٍالنَّبِيِّالْأُمِّيِّوَعَلٰیآلِمُحَمَّدٍكَمَاصَلَّيْتَعَلٰیإِبْرَاهِيْمَوَآلِإِبْرَاهِيْمَوَبَارِكْعَلٰیمُحَمَّدٍالنَّبِيِّالْأُمِّيِّكَمَابَارَكْتَعَلیٰإِبْرَاهِيْمَوَعَلٰیآلِإِبْرَاهِيْمَإِنَّكَحَمِيْدٌمَجِيْدٌ ][مسند أحمد : 119/4، ح : ۱۷۰۷۶، مسند احمد کے محقق نے بارہ کتب حدیث سے اس حدیث کا حوالہ نقل کر کے اس کی صحت بیان فرمائی ہے ] “A man came and sat in front of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) while we were present with him. He said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! We have come to know how to send peace upon you, now how should we send prayers upon you when we send prayers upon you in our prayer (may Allah send prayers upon you)?’ The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) remained silent for a while, until we wished that the man had not asked this question, then he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘When you send prayers upon me, then say like this.’ So he (peace and blessings be upon him) taught the words of salat mentioned above in the hadith.”
From the command of Allah in the Qur’an {’’صَلُّوْاعَلَيْهِوَسَلِّمُوْاتَسْلِيْمًا ‘‘} and from the Messenger of Allah’s (peace and blessings be upon him) personal teaching of the words of peace and salat in the tashahhud of prayer, it is clear that at least in prayer, reciting this salat and salam is necessary. The statement of some people is surprising that sending salat and salam is obligatory only once in a lifetime. Rather, they say that even the testimony of faith (kalimah shahadah) is obligatory to be recited only once in a lifetime at the time of accepting Islam. Whereas, apart from prayer, the command to recite the testimony of faith is also given in every tashahhud, in responding to the adhan, and at several other places. Even more surprising is that these people claim consensus (ijma‘) of the ummah on the obligation of reciting the kalimah and salat only once in a lifetime, whereas they know well how many great imams have considered reciting salat and salam in prayer to be obligatory, yet they persist in their incorrect claim of consensus. In Tafsir Ibn Kathir, there are several occasions mentioned where the command to recite salat is given.
➍ In many ahadith, there is emphasis on sending salat upon the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) when his mention occurs. ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ اَلْبَخِيْلُالَّذِيْمَنْذُكِرْتُعِنْدَهُفَلَمْيُصَلِّعَلَيَّ ][ ترمذي، الدعوات، باب رغم أنف رجل ذکرت عندہ… : ۳۵۴۶ ] “The miser is the one in whose presence I am mentioned and he does not send salat upon me.” Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ رَغِمَأَنْفُرَجُلٍذُكِرْتُعِنْدَهُفَلَمْيُصَلِّعَلَيَّوَرَغِمَأَنْفُرَجُلٍدَخَلَعَلَيْهِرَمَضَانُثُمَّانْسَلَخَقَبْلَأَنْيُغْفَرَلَهُوَرَغِمَأَنْفُرَجُلٍأَدْرَكَعِنْدَهُأَبَوَاهُالْكِبَرَفَلَمْيُدْخِلاَهُالْجَنَّةَ ][ ترمذي، الدعوات، باب رغم أنف رجل ذکرت عندہ… : ۳۵۴۵، و قال الألباني حسن صحیح ] “May his nose be rubbed in dust, the one in whose presence I am mentioned and he does not send salat upon me; and may his nose be rubbed in dust, the one upon whom Ramadan comes and passes before he is forgiven; and may his nose be rubbed in dust, the one whose parents reach old age with him and they do not cause him to enter Paradise.” According to these ahadith, it is obligatory to send salat upon the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) when he is mentioned. Although it is preferable to send salat every time his name is mentioned, and this is the view of the hadith scholars, however, if in a gathering his name is mentioned and one sends salat once, it is hoped that he will be saved from the warning of not sending salat. As Imam Tirmidhi has narrated from some scholars, because the wording of the hadith allows for this, and it is also supported by another hadith mentioned ahead in benefit (6).
➎ The words in which salat is recited upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in prayer can also be recited outside of prayer, but it can also be recited in brief words, as all the Companions, whenever they narrated a hadith from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) or mentioned his name, would say the words {’’صَلَّیاللّٰهُعَلَيْهِوَسَلَّمَ‘‘}, as is proven from all the ahadith in all the books of hadith. If every hadith narrator had not heard these words from his teacher, and even the Tabi‘i from the Companion, they would not have transmitted them, because they were extremely trustworthy in transmission. Rather, from one hadith it is known that the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would remember any past moment with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and would recite this brief salat. Thus, in Bukhari, the freed slave of Asma’ bint Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with them), ‘Abdullah, narrates: [ أَنَّهُكَانَيَسْمَعُأَسْمَاءَتَقُوْلُكُلَّمَامَرَّتْبِالْحَجُوْنِ : صَلَّیاللّٰهُعَلٰیرَسُوْلِهِمُحَمَّدٍلَقَدْنَزَلْنَامَعَهُهَاهُنَا،وَنَحْنُيَوْمَئِذٍخِفَافٌ ][بخاري، العمرۃ، باب متی یحل المعتمر؟ : ۱۷۹۶ ] “Whenever Asma’ (may Allah be pleased with her) passed by Hajun, she would say {’’صَلَّياللّٰهُعَلٰيرَسُوْلِهِمُحَمَّدٍ‘‘} ‘We camped here with him, in those days we were light and unburdened.’” From this it is known that at the time of mentioning the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) in a good way, there is consensus of the Companions on the words {’’صَلَّیاللّٰهُعَلَيْهِوَسَلَّمَ‘‘}. However, the word {’’الصلاة‘‘} in the form of direct address to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), such as {’’اَلصَّلَاةُعَلَيْكَيَارَسُوْلَاللّٰهِ!‘‘}, is not proven from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) or any Companion, because the creation does not possess salat (mercy and blessings), so they can only supplicate to Allah to send it down.
➏ Many ahadith are narrated regarding the virtue of sending salat upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the warning for not doing so. Here, two ahadith are mentioned: (1) ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin al-‘As (may Allah be pleased with them) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ إِذَاسَمِعْتُمُالْمُؤَذِّنَفَقُوْلُوْامِثْلَمَايَقُوْلُثُمَّصَلُّوْاعَلَيَّفَإِنَّهُمَنْصَلّٰیعَلَيَّصَلَاةًصَلَّیاللّٰهُعَلَيْهِبِهَاعَشْرًا ][ مسلم، الصلاۃ، باب استحباب القول مثل قول المؤذن… : ۳۸۴ ] “When you hear the mu’adhdhin, say as he says, then send salat upon me, for whoever sends salat upon me once, Allah sends salat upon him ten times in return.” (2) Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ مَاجَلَسَقَوْمٌمَجْلِسًالَمْيَذْكُرُوااللّٰهَفِيْهِوَلَمْيُصَلُّوْاعَلٰینَبِيِّهِمْإِلاَّكَانَعَلَيْهِمْتِرَةًفَإِنْشَاءَعَذَّبَهُمْوَإِنْشَاءَغَفَرَلَهُمْ ][ ترمذي، الدعوات، باب ما جاء في القوم یجلسون… : ۳۳۸۰، و قال الألباني صحیح ] “No people sit in a gathering in which they do not remember Allah nor send salat upon their Prophet, except that it will be a cause of regret for them on the Day of Resurrection. Then if He wills, He will punish them, and if He wills, He will forgive them.”
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
56. 1. In this verse, the rank and status of the Prophet ﷺ that he possesses in the (heavens) is mentioned, and that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, praises and sends mercy upon him ﷺ, and the angels also pray for the elevation of his ﷺ ranks. Along with this, Allah Almighty has commanded the lower world (the people of the earth) to also send blessings and peace upon him ﷺ so that both the higher and lower worlds are united in his ﷺ praise. It is mentioned in the hadith that the noble companions ؓ submitted, "O Messenger of Allah! We know the method of sending peace (i.e., in at-tahiyyat we recite السلام علیک ایھا النبی!), but how should we send blessings (salat)?" Upon this, he ﷺ taught the Durood Ibrahim which is recited in prayer (Sahih Bukhari). Besides this, there are other forms of Durood mentioned in the hadith which can also be recited. Also, briefly reciting صلی اللہ علی رسول اللہ وسلم is permissible. However, reciting الصلوٰۃ والسلام علیک یارسول اللہ وسلم! is not Sahih because it is addressed directly to the Prophet ﷺ, and this form is not transmitted from the Prophet ﷺ at the time of general Durood, and since السلام علیک ایھا النبی! is transmitted from him in at-tahiyyat, there is no objection to reciting it at that time. Furthermore, if someone recites it with the corrupt belief that the Prophet ﷺ hears it directly, this corrupt belief is against the Quran and Hadith, and reciting the aforementioned fabricated Durood with this belief is also an innovation (bid‘ah), which is not rewardable but sinful. There are great virtues of Durood mentioned in the hadith. Is reciting it in prayer obligatory or Sunnah? The majority of scholars consider it Sunnah, while Imam Shafi‘i and many scholars consider it obligatory, and the hadith support its obligation. Similarly, from the hadith it is also known that just as reciting Durood in the last tashahhud is obligatory, reciting Durood in the first tashahhud has the same status. Therefore, reciting Durood in both tashahhuds of prayer is necessary. Its evidences are briefly as follows: One evidence is that in Musnad Ahmad, with an authentic chain, it is narrated that a person asked the Prophet ﷺ, "O Messenger of Allah, we have learned how to send peace upon you (that we recite السلام علیک in tashahhud), but when we are in prayer, how should we send blessings upon you?" So he ﷺ taught Durood Ibrahim (Al-Fath al-Rabbani). Besides Musnad Ahmad, this narration is also in Sahih Ibn Hibban, Sunan Kubra Bayhaqi, Mustadrak Hakim, and Ibn Khuzaymah. In it, there is a clear statement that just as peace is recited in prayer, i.e., in tashahhud, similarly, this question was also about reciting Durood in prayer. The Prophet ﷺ commanded to recite Durood Ibrahim, from which it is known that along with peace, Durood should also be recited in prayer, and its place is tashahhud. And in the hadith, this is general; it is not specified for the first or second tashahhud, from which it is correct to infer that in both (first and second) tashahhuds, peace and Durood should be recited. And the narrations in which tashahhud is mentioned without Durood will be considered as before the revelation of the verse of Surah Ahzab "صلوا علیہ وسلموا" (33:56), but after the revelation of this verse, i.e., after 5 AH, when the Prophet ﷺ, upon the companions' inquiry, also stated the words of Durood, then now reciting Salat (Durood Sharif) along with peace in prayer has also become necessary, whether it is the first tashahhud or the second. Another evidence for this is that Hazrat Aisha narrated that (sometimes) he ﷺ would perform 9 rak‘ahs at night, would sit for tashahhud in the eighth rak‘ah, supplicate to his Lord in it, and send Durood upon His Messenger, then without saying salam, would stand up and complete the ninth rak‘ah, then sit for tashahhud, supplicate to his Lord, send Durood upon His Messenger, and then supplicate, then say salam (Al-Sunan al-Kubra, also see Sifat Salat al-Nabi by Al-Albani). In this, it is absolutely clear that the Prophet ﷺ recited Durood in both the first and last tashahhud in his night prayer. Although this is an incident of voluntary prayer, the aforementioned general evidences are supported by this action of the Prophet ﷺ, so restricting it only to voluntary prayer would not be correct.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
56. Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe! Send blessings and peace [96] upon him as well.
[96] In that era, the disbelievers and hypocrites were engaged in various slanders and attempts to defame you ﷺ. In response, Allah Almighty said that when Allah Himself is showering His mercy upon His Prophet, and the angels also pray for mercy and blessings for him, then what harm can come from the absurd talk of these people? Along with this, Allah Almighty also commanded the believers to abundantly send blessings (du‘a for mercy, forgiveness, and peace) upon this Prophet. Those slanders were temporary and fleeting. Allah Almighty taught the Muslims such a way that until the Day of Judgment, prayers for peace, mercy, and forgiveness will continue to be made for you ﷺ, and your mention will always remain exalted. In this regard, please also consider the following two hadiths: Why is sending blessings and peace upon you necessary? 1. Abu Al-‘Aliyah said that the meaning of Allah’s “salat” is that Allah praises you among the angels, and the meaning of the angels’ “salat” is supplication. And Ibn ‘Abbas ؓ says that the meaning of “yusallūn” is that they pray for blessings. [بخاري۔ كتاب التفسير۔ عنوان باب] 2. Sayyiduna Ka‘b bin ‘Ujrah ؓ says that the Companions ؓ asked you ﷺ: “O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! We have learned how to send peace upon you; how should we send blessings upon you?” You ﷺ said: Say: (Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala aali Muhammad kama sallayta ‘ala Ibrahima innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala aali Muhammad kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahima innaka Hamidun Majid). And in the narration of Yazid bin Hād, after “ala Ibrahima” in both places, the words “ala aali Ibrahima” are also included. [بخاري۔ كتاب التفسير] The real basis of sending blessings and peace is that every believer received the blessing of faith only through the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. And faith is such a great blessing that no blessing of this world or the Hereafter can compare to it, and the believers can never repay this favor. However, the believers should at least be filled with love for their greatest benefactor and pray for mercy, blessings, and forgiveness for him. By this, their own ranks will also be elevated, and for every time they send blessings, Allah will send tenfold blessings or His mercies upon them. [مسلم۔ کتاب الصلوٰۃ۔ باب الصلوٰۃ علی النبیﷺ بعد التشہد]
The Two Meanings of “Sallimu Taslima”:
“Sallimu taslima” also has two meanings. One is clear from the above hadith, that you should pray for his peace. The second meaning is that you should submit to him wholeheartedly, as in Surah Nisa, verse number 65, these very words carry this meaning.
The Virtues of Salat and Salam:
Now, please consider a few more hadiths regarding the virtues of sending blessings and peace: 1. Sayyiduna Anas ؓ says that you ﷺ said: Whoever sends blessings upon me once, Allah will send ten mercies upon him, ten of his sins will be forgiven, and ten ranks will be raised for him. [حواله ايضاً] 2. Sayyiduna Ubayy bin Ka‘b ؓ says: I said to you ﷺ: O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! I send abundant blessings upon you. How much of my supplication should I devote to blessings? You ﷺ said: As much as you wish. I said: A quarter? He said: As much as you wish, and if you increase it, it is better for you. I said: Half? He said: As much as you wish, and if you increase it, it is better for you. Then I asked: Two-thirds? He said: As much as you wish, and if you increase it, it is better for you. Then I said: I will devote all my supplication to sending blessings upon you. He said: Now your worries will be taken care of, and your sins will be removed from you. [ترمذی۔ بحوالہ مشکوٰۃ۔ کتاب الصلوٰۃ۔ باب الصلوٰۃ عن النبیﷺ فصل ثانی] 3. Sayyiduna ‘Umar bin Khattab ؓ says: As long as you do not send blessings upon your Prophet, the supplication remains suspended between the earth and the sky and does not ascend. [ترمذی۔ بحوالہ مشکوٰۃ۔ باب الصلوٰۃ علی النبی۔ فصل ثانی] 4. Sayyiduna ‘Ali ؓ says that you ﷺ said: “That person is truly miserly in whose presence my mention is made and he does not send blessings upon me.” [ترمذي۔ بحواله مشكوٰةايضاً]