سُوْرَةُ الْاَحْزَابِ
Surah Al-Ahzaab (33) — Ayah 56
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا ﴿56﴾
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
إِنَّ
inna
Indeed
ٱللَّهَ
l-laha
Allah
وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ
wamalāikatahu
and His Angels
يُصَلُّونَ
yuṣallūna
send blessings
عَلَى
ʿalā
upon
ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ
l-nabiyi
the Prophet
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا
yāayyuhā
O you who believe
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
O you who believe
ءَامَنُوا۟
āmanū
O you who believe
صَلُّوا۟
ṣallū
Send blessings
عَلَيْهِ
ʿalayhi
on him
وَسَلِّمُوا۟
wasallimū
and greet him
تَسْلِيمًا
taslīman
(with) greetings
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 مشكوٰة ايضاً]
[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 مشكوٰة ايضاً]
