The Virtue of Abundantly Sending Salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ
Source: Fatawa Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
Question:
What is the status of abundantly sending salutations (Durud) upon the Prophet ﷺ?
Answer:
Sending salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ is a means of mercy, elevation of ranks, and forgiveness of sins. The more a person sends salutations, the more blessings he acquires.
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله has mentioned several great benefits:
① Attaining obedience and submission to Allah Almighty.
② Agreement with Allah عزوجل in sending salutations — though our Salat and Allah’s Salat differ in meaning. Our Salat means supplication and request, while Allah’s Salat means granting honor and fame.
③ Conformity with the deeds of the angels.
④ Ten mercies are granted.
⑤ Ten ranks are elevated.
⑥ Ten good deeds are recorded.
⑦ Ten sins are erased.
⑧ Supplications are accepted.
⑨ The intercession of the Prophet ﷺ is obtained.
⑩ It becomes a cause of forgiveness of sins.
⑪ It alleviates grief and sorrow.
⑫ The reciter will be closer to the Prophet ﷺ on the Day of Resurrection.
⑬ For the poor, Durud is equivalent to giving charity.
⑭ It is a means of fulfilling one’s needs.
⑮ The reciter receives Allah’s mercy and the supplication of angels.
⑯ It purifies the soul.
⑰ A cause for glad tidings of Paradise before death.
⑱ Deliverance from the terrors of the Day of Judgment.
⑲ It purifies gatherings, making them free of regret on the Day of Resurrection.
⑳ It removes poverty.
㉑ It saves one from miserliness.
㉒ It protects from the supplication of curse by the Prophet ﷺ.
㉓ It is a means of entering Paradise.
㉔ Any speech beginning with praise of Allah and Durud is completed successfully.
㉕ It brings blessings in life, actions, and provisions.
㉖ It is a source of mercy descending upon the reciter.
Durud increases and sustains love for the Prophet ﷺ, which is among the ranks of faith. The more one remembers the beloved, the stronger the love becomes until it dominates the heart. Neglect, however, diminishes this love.
Just as the sight of the beloved comforts the eyes, remembrance of his virtues brings peace to the heart. This leads the tongue to naturally praise and glorify the beloved. The level of remembrance is proportional to the depth of love.
Reciting Durud is a means of guidance and spiritual life of the heart. The more one sends salutations, the more love takes over the heart, erasing doubts and opposition to the Prophet’s ﷺ teachings. His instructions then become imprinted in the heart, leading to continuous guidance and knowledge.
Thus, the Durud of the scholars and the enlightened differs from that of the common people. The deeper their knowledge of the Prophet’s ﷺ teachings, the more their love increases and the more they realize the essence of Durud.
Ultimately, the remembrance of the Prophet ﷺ, his teachings, and praising Allah for making him our leader is the true life of existence and the soul of the heart.
Reciting Durud is a great honor: the name of the one who sends salutations is presented before the Prophet ﷺ. For the believer, no greater privilege exists than to be mentioned in that noble court.
Durud is among the rights of the Messenger ﷺ. Although it is little compared to his immense rights, it still counts as gratitude for the blessing of his Prophethood. Allah, in His mercy, accepts this small act of thankfulness and grants His pleasure.
