THE SALAAT-O-SALAAM

The secret of all the success of the Muslim on earth lies in a loving contact with Allah Ta'ala and His Rasul (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam). This love must manifest itself in appearance by trying to accomplish the most possible amount of Sunnahs of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam), so that Allah Ta'ala may be pleased on seeing our behaviour on earth and our gratitude to our beloved Nabi (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam).

Salaat-o-Salaam is one of the wisest means of demonstrating this gratitude. Most Muslim scholars proclaim Salaat-o-Salaam to be "Sunnat-e-Mu'akkadah" in the last Qaida of Salah, and are even unanimous of the fact that Salaat-o-Salaam is obligatory on every Muslim who hears the name of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam). Imam Shaafi'i (Rahimahullah) and Imam Ahmad (Rahimahullah) declared Salaat-o-Salaam waajib in the last Qaida of Salah. Imam Tirmizi (Rahimahullah) reported that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) said that dishonour befalls a person who hears the name of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) and does not recite Salaat-o-Salaam.

In another narration, the author again reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) said that "he is truly miserly who hears my name and does not send Salaat-o-Salaam upon me."

We present to you some regulations concerning the Durud Sharif. If in any gathering, the blessed name of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) is mentioned several times, it is Waajib to recite Salaat-o-Salaam once only. But it is Mustahab to recite the Durud Sharif whenever the name of Nabi-e-Karim (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) is pronounced. The great scholars of the Ahaadith, in paying a nostalgic tribute of honour to our beloved Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam), are always passionate about writing the Salaat-o-Salam close to the name of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) at each instance of their publication, be it several times on the same line. This sincere fact in all logic is that if the Durud Sharif is Waajib on the listener and the narrator when the name of Nabi-e-Karim (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) is pronounced, the absolute necessity of being Waajib always remains when his name is written. The fact that it is Mustahab to say the Salah and the Salaam when the name of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) is mentioned, the mere invocation of Salah also is accepted as sufficient.

The learned jurists of Islam, including Imam Maalik (Rahimahullah) and Imam Shaafi'i (Rahimahullah), are of the opinion that it is prohibited to send Salah on anyone without the mention of the Prophets (Alaihis Salaam). However, one may send Salaat-o-salaam upon the Sahabah of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam). For example, we implore Allah Ta'ala to send Salah upon Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) and his Sahaaba, but not only upon his Sahaaba without mentioning the name of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam). Moreover, the word Alaihis Salaam is not used on anyone except a Nabi, just as the formula Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala is used only for Allah Ta'ala.

In a Hadith narrated by Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu anhu), Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) said: "Whoever sends Salah once upon me, Allah Ta'ala will grant ten upon him." Muslim. 

According to Hadhrat Anas (Radiyallahu anhu), Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) said the one who recites the Salah once for me, Allah will grant ten upon him and ten sins will be erased and he will be elevated ten ranks. Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud (Radiyallahu anhuma) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) said that the person closest to me on the day of Qiyaamah will be the one who sent the most Durud Sharif on me. According to a narration of Tirmizi, Hadhrat Ubay ibn Ka'b (Radiyallahu anhu) said:- "Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) advised me to spend my free time in reciting the Durud Sharif. And as reward, he informed me that this practice will be more than enough to alleviate my worries and sins."

Hadhrat Abdullah bin A'mr (Radiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) said, "When you hear the call of the Muazzin, repeat what is pronounced and then send Salah upon me, for whoever sends one Salah upon me, Allah will grant him ten and ask for the WASSILA for me by Allah Ta'ala. The Wassila is a rank in Jannah that only one servant of Allah Ta'ala deserves it and I hope that I will be that servant. Whoever asks AL WASSILA for me will have the assurance of my intercession". (Muslim)

In a Hadith narrated by Hadhrat Aus bin Aus (Radiyallahu anhu), Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) said: "The best day of my community is the day of Jum'ah."

It is on this occasion that Hadhrat Adam (Alaihis Salaam) was created and he passed away on the same day. It is on the day of Jum'ah that there will be the blowing of the trumpet and everyone will be stunned and aghast. So send Salaat-o-Salaam on me abundantly, for your Salahs will be presented before me. How will our Salah be presented to you when you will be reduced to dust, asked his interlocutor, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) replied: 

"No doubt Allah Ta'ala made the body of the Ambiya (Prophets) (Alaihis Salaam) haram on the earth." (Abu Daawud)

This is how Allah Ta'ala has made the Durud Sharif a special means of grace for us. By sending the Durud Sharif on Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam), we become closer to Allah Ta'ala and we acquire a greater abundance of graces. Let us establish the Durud Sharif in our daily life. Because by doing so, love for Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) penetrates our hearts and it encourages us to value all the Sunnahs of Nabi-e-Kareem (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) that will undoubtedly lead us to the path that Allah Ta'ala would be pleased with, i.e. the Siraat-ul-Mustaqeem.

[English version of "Le Salaah ô‎‎ Salaam" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 2]