Salawāt upon prophets - for the reader, the writer, or both?
The concept of sending salutations (salawat) upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is highly emphasized in Islamic teachings, and it applies to both the reader and the writer. The Qur'an states: Lo! Allah and His angels shower blessings on the Prophet. O ye who believe! Ask blessings on him and salute him with a worthy salutation.
33:56. This verse highlights the importance of invoking blessings upon the Prophet and encourages believers to do so actively.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir explains that this command is directed at all believers, emphasizing their duty to honor the Prophet through salutations. The act of sending blessings upon him not only reflects respect and admiration but also brings spiritual rewards to the one who engages in it.
Additionally, hadith literature supports this practice extensively. For example, Sunan Abu Dawud records that the Prophet ﷺ taught the tashahhud, which includes the phrase: Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings
Sunan Abu Dawud 2:585. This further establishes that both the act of writing and reading salutations upon the Prophet is a collective responsibility among Muslims, as it fosters a sense of community and devotion.
In summary, salawat upon the Prophet is encouraged for both the reader and the writer, fostering a shared practice of reverence and spirituality within the Muslim community.
Sources
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33:56 · Al-Ahzaab
33:56 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا
Lo! Allah and His angels shower blessings on the Prophet. O ye who believe! Ask blessings on him and salute him with a worthy salutation.
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Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 33:56
Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 33:56
This verse asserts that Allah and His angels invoke blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ, and believers are commanded to also send blessings and salutations upon him, perpetuating a universal and continuous commendation from the highest to the lowest realms. Scholars have interpreted "Allah's prayer" upon the Prophet as His praise and exaltation of him among the angels, while the angels' prayer is understood as their supplication or benediction upon him. Ibn Abbas explained that "they pray" means they bless him. Various reports confirm this interpretation. There exists a tradition in which the Prophet ﷺ, when asked by his companions how to offer blessings upon him in prayer beyond just saying "peace be upon you," provided a formula invoking Allah to send blessings and peace upon Muhammad and his family just as He sent blessings upon Abraham and his family, and to bless them likewise. This formula is narrated in multiple authentic chains and considered authoritative. The intent of the verse is to reveal the high status of the Prophet ﷺ with Allah and the angels, as he is praised by Allah amongst the angels, and the angels in turn pray for him. Subsequently, all believers are enjoined to send blessings and salutations upon him, thus uniting glorification of him from all creatures in the heavens and earth. Numerous narrations encourage frequent blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ, affirming the virtue and reward of doing so. One hadith noted by prominent scholars states that whoever prays upon the Prophet once, Allah will pray upon that person tenfold. Others advise extensively frequent salutations during certain times such as Friday and from the minbar during khutbah. Regarding ritual prayer, the majority of scholars hold that it is obligatory to send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ in the final tashahhud of the prayer. Some minority opinions exist, but the predominant consensus supports this obligation. The Prophet ﷺ also said that the one who sends blessings on him will receive intercession on the Day of Judgement. Visiting the Prophet’s grave and sending blessings there is also praiseworthy, and the Prophet ﷺ warned against turning his grave or homes into sites of excessive commemoration, rather urging sending blessings wherever one is, as Allah’s blessings upon the Prophet reach him. A detailed record of the prophetic traditions, sayings of the companions, and their interpretation by scholars is cited, covering how to bless the Prophet correctly, the immense spiritual benefits of doing so, and its significance as an expression of love and respect. Discussions address the issue of directing prayers upon non-prophets, and the majority incline toward restricting "salat" (prayer/blessing) in this exalted sense to Prophets only, viewing its use for others as disliked or mistaken, though supplication for believers is permitted. The terms "salat" and "salam" (blessing and peace) have distinct usages and applications. In summary, this verse allegorizes the profound and unique status of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ before Allah and the angels, and commands the believers to echo this exaltation through the ritual salutations known as sending blessings (salat) and peace (salam) upon him, which carry immense spiritual weight, reward, and benefit as confirmed by numerous reported traditions.
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Sunan Abu Dawud 2:585
Sunan Abu Dawud · Book 2, Hadith 585 · Narrated by Ibn Abbas
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, used to teach us the tashahhud as he taught us the Qur'an, and he would say: 'The greetings, blessings, prayers, and good things belong to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah's mercy and blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.'
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