The Virtues of Sending Blessings upon the Prophet (ﷺ)

Reciting the blessings of Allah and His angels

In the Qur’an:

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا

Surely, Allah and His angels send blessings to the Prophet. O you who believe, do pray Allah to bless him, and send your Salām (prayer for his being in peace) to him in abundance. (33:56)

From this verse, it is evident that Allah the Almighty, along with His close angels, also send blessings upon the Noble Prophet. Allah’s blessings descend in the form of mercy, and the angels seek forgiveness and raise the status of the Prophet. Alongside this, the people of faith are also commanded to send blessings upon the Prophet, (رضي الله عنه).

When sending blessings once, ten blessings are bestowed

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ وَاحِدَةً صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ عشرا» . رَوَاهُ مُسلم

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone invokes blessing on me once, God will bless him ten times.” Muslim transmitted it. (Mishkat al-Masabih)

Reciting the Durood Sharif (blessings upon the Prophet) once forgives ten sins and raises one’s status by ten levels

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ مُوسَى، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ سُهَيْلِ بْنِ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي عَيَّاشٍ الزُّرَقِيِّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏”‏ مَنْ قَالَ حِينَ يُصْبِحُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ – كَانَ لَهُ عَدْلَ رَقَبَةٍ مِنْ وَلَدِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ وَحُطَّ عَنْهُ عَشْرُ خَطِيئَاتٍ وَرُفِعَ لَهُ عَشْرُ دَرَجَاتٍ وَكَانَ فِي حِرْزٍ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ حَتَّى يُمْسِيَ وَإِذَا أَمْسَى فَمِثْلُ ذَلِكَ حَتَّى يُصْبِحَ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَرَأَى رَجُلٌ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ فِيمَا يَرَى النَّائِمُ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَبَا عَيَّاشٍ يَرْوِي عَنْكَ كَذَا وَكَذَا ‏.‏ فَقَالَ ‏”‏ صَدَقَ أَبُو عَيَّاشٍ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated from Abu ‘Ayyash Az-Zuraqi that: the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever says in the morning: ‘La illaha illalahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in Qadir (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, with no partner or associate. His is the dominion and all praise is to Him, and He is Able to all things)’ – he will have (a reward) equal to freeing a slave among the sons of Isma’il, ten bad deeds will be erased from (his record), he will be raised (in status) ten degrees, and he will have protection against Satan until evening comes. When evening comes, (if he says likewise) he will have the same until morning comes.'” (Sahih) He (one of the narrators) said: “A man saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) in a dream and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, Abu ‘Ayyash narrated such and such from you.’ He said: ‘Abu ‘Ayyash spoke the truth.'” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ: كُنْتُ أُصَلِّي وَالنَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ مَعَهُ فَلَمَّا جَلَسْتُ بَدَأْتُ بِالثَّنَاءِ عَلَى اللَّهِ تَعَالَى ثُمَّ الصَّلَاةُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ثُمَّ دَعَوْتُ لِنَفْسِي فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «سَلْ تعطه سل تعطه» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ

‘Abdallah b. Mas’ud said: I was praying, and so was the Prophet accompanied by Abu Bakr and ‘Umar. When I sat I first extolled God’s praises then invoked blessings on the Prophet, then made supplication for myself, and the Prophet said, “If you ask you will be given it, if you ask you will be given it.”
Tirmidhi transmitted it. (Mishkat al-Masabih)

Our recited blessings reach the Noble Prophet (ﷺ)

وَعَنْهُ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «لَا تَجْعَلُوا بُيُوتَكُمْ قُبُورًا وَلَا تَجْعَلُوا قَبْرِي عِيدًا وَصَلُّوا عَلَيَّ فَإِنَّ صَلَاتكُمْ تبلغني حَيْثُ كُنْتُم» . رَوَاهُ النَّسَائِيّ

He reported that he had heard God’s Messenger say, “Do not turn your houses into graves,* and do not make my grave a place to gather as for visitation, but invoke blessings on me, for your blessing will reach me wherever you are.”
*This is most probably a figurative expressive indicating that a house in which prayer is not offered is like a grave, as God is not worshipped there. (Mishkat al-Masabih)

Responding to the Noble Prophet (ﷺ)

وَقَالَ صلى الله عليه وسلم: (مَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ يُسَلِّمُ عَلَيَّ إِلاَّ رَدَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيَّ رُوحِيَ حَتَّى أَرُدَّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمَ)

—
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “No one sends greetings (or prayers of peace) upon me but Allah returns my soul to me so that I may return his greetings.”  (Hisn al-Muslim)

As many blessings as there are, there are also prayers from the angels

حَدَّثَنَا بَكْرُ بْنُ خَلَفٍ أَبُو بِشْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ الْحَارِثِ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ عَاصِمِ بْنِ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَامِرِ بْنِ رَبِيعَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ ‏ “‏ مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ يُصَلِّي عَلَىَّ إِلاَّ صَلَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ مَا صَلَّى عَلَىَّ فَلْيُقِلَّ الْعَبْدُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ أَوْ لِيُكْثِرْ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated that ‘Asim bin ‘Ubaidullah said: “I heard ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amir bin Rabi’ah narrating from his father that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “There is no Muslim who sends peace and blessings upon me, but the angels will send peace and blessings upon him as long as he sends peace and blessings upon me. So let a person do a little of that or a lot.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

Protection from Difficulties through Abundant Blessings

Narrated by Sayyiduna Abi bin Ka’ab, (رضي الله عنه), he stated: “O Messenger of Allah! I recite (رضي الله عنه). How much of my supplication should I devote to you?

وَعَنْ أُبَيِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ قَالَ: قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أُكْثِرُ الصَّلَاةَ عَلَيْكَ فَكَمْ أَجْعَلُ لَكَ مِنْ صَلَاتِي؟ فَقَالَ: «مَا شِئْتَ» قُلْتُ: الرُّبُعَ؟ قَالَ: «مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنْ زِدْتَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ» . قُلْتُ: النِّصْفَ؟ قَالَ: «مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنْ زِدْتَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ» قُلْتُ: فَالثُّلُثَيْنِ؟ قَالَ: «مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنْ زِدْتَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ» قُلْتُ: أَجْعَلُ لَكَ صَلَاتِي كُلَّهَا؟ قَالَ: «إِذا يكفى همك وَيكفر لَك ذَنْبك» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ

Ubayy b. Ka’b said he told God’s Messenger that he frequently invoked blessings on him and asked how much of his prayer* he should devote to him. He replied that he might devote as much as he wished, and when he suggested a quarter he said, “Whatever you wish, but if you increase it that will be better for you.” He suggested a half and he replied, “Whatever you wish, but if you increase it that will be better for you.” He suggested two-thirds and he replied, “Whatever you wish, but if you increase it that will be better for you.” He then suggested devoting all his prayer to him and he replied, “Then you will be freed from care and your sin will be expiated.”

* The word used is salat. It has been explained as referring here to the petitions (du’a) offered at the end of the salat. (Mishkat al-Masabih)

Attaining the Intercession of the Noble Prophet (ﷺ), through Reciting Durood Sharif:

Narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Darda, (رضي الله عنه), the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), said:

مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَى حِيْنَ يُصْبِحُ عَشْرًا ، وَحِيْنَ يُمْسِى عَشْرًا ، أَدْرَكَتْهُ شَفَاعَتِيْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ

He who sends blessings upon me ten times in the morning and ten times in the evening will have my intercession on the Day of Judgment.” [Sahih al-Jami: 6357]

Occasions for Reciting Durood Sharif

While it is recommended to recite Durood Sharif at any time or occasion without restrictions and with frequency, there are certain moments where special emphasis has been placed on its recitation. Some of these are well-known. For example, at the end of the final Tashahhud in every prayer, during the Qunoot of Witr prayer, after the second Takbeer in the Janazah (funeral) prayer, during the Friday sermon, and others.

In addition to these, some specific occasions for reciting Durood Sharif are as follows:

Before Supplication

It is narrated by Fadalah bin ‘Ubayd (رضي الله عنه), that the Prophet (ﷺ), heard a person supplicating but not sending blessings upon him. So, the Prophet (ﷺ), said:

حَدَّثَنَا مَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلاَنَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يَزِيدَ الْمُقْرِئُ، حَدَّثَنَا حَيْوَةُ بْنُ شُرَيْحٍ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو هَانِئٍ الْخَوْلاَنِيُّ، أَنَّ عَمْرَو بْنَ مَالِكٍ الْجَنْبِيَّ، أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ، سَمِعَ فَضَالَةَ بْنَ عُبَيْدٍ، يَقُولُ سَمِعَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم رَجُلاً يَدْعُو فِي صَلاَتِهِ فَلَمْ يُصَلِّ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏”‏ عَجِلَ هَذَا ‏”‏ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ دَعَاهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَوْ لِغَيْرِهِ ‏”‏ إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَبْدَأْ بِتَحْمِيدِ اللَّهِ وَالثَّنَاءِ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ لِيُصَلِّ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثُمَّ لِيَدْعُ بَعْدُ بِمَا شَاءَ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ ‏.‏

`Amr bin Malik Al-Janbi narrated that he heard Fadalah bin `Ubaid saying: “The Prophet (ﷺ) heard a man supplicating in his Salat but he did not send Salat upon the Prophet (ﷺ), so the Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘This one has rushed.’ Then he called him and said to him, or to someone other than him: ‘When one of you performs Salat, then let him begin by expressing gratitude to Allah and praising Him. Then, let him send Salat upon the Prophet (ﷺ), then let him supplicate after that, whatever he wishes.’” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi)

Whenever the Noble Prophet (ﷺ) is mentioned

Whenever the Prophet’s name is mentioned, it is recommended to send blessings upon him both when mentioning and listening to his name.

وَعَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «رَغِمَ أَنْفُ رَجُلٍ ذُكِرْتُ عِنْدَهُ فَلَمْ يُصَلِّ عَلَيَّ وَرَغِمَ أَنْفُ رَجُلٍ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَمَضَانُ ثُمَّ انْسَلَخَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُغْفَرَ لَهُ وَرَغِمَ أَنْفُ رَجُلٍ أَدْرَكَ عِنْدَهُ أَبَوَاهُ الْكبر أَو أَحدهمَا فَلم يدْخلَاهُ الْجنَّة» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “May he be abased who does not invoke a blessing on me when I am mentioned in his presence. May he be abased who passes through the whole of Ramadan before his sins are forgiven him. May he be abased one or both of whose parents have reached old age without causing him to enter paradise. (Mishkat al-Masabih)

After the call to prayer:

وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: ” إِذَا سَمِعْتُمُ الْمُؤَذِّنَ فَقُولُوا مِثْلَ مَا يَقُولُ ثُمَّ صَلُّوا عَلَيَّ فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ صَلَاةً صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ بِهَا عَشْرًا ثُمَّ سَلُوا اللَّهَ لِيَ الْوَسِيلَةَ فَإِنَّهَا مَنْزِلَةٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ لَا تَنْبَغِي إِلَّا لِعَبْدٍ مِنْ عِبَادِ اللَّهِ وَأَرْجُو أَنْ أَكُونَ أَنَا هُوَ فَمَنْ سَأَلَ لِيَ الْوَسِيلَةَ حَلَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الشَّفَاعَةُ. رَوَاهُ مُسلم

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr b. al-‘As reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When you hear the mu’adhdhin repeat what he says, then invoke a blessing on me, for everyone who invokes one blessing on me will receive ten blessings from God. Then ask God to give me the wasila, which is a rank in paradise fitting for only one of God’s servants, and I hope that I may be the one. If anyone asks that I be given the wasila, he will be assured of my intercession.” (Mishkat al-Masabih)

Friday’s Day:

It is narrated from Aws bin Aws that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) mentioned some of the special characteristics of Friday and then instructed:

حَدَّثَنَا هَارُونُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا حُسَيْنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ بْنِ جَابِرٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الأَشْعَثِ الصَّنْعَانِيِّ، عَنْ أَوْسِ بْنِ أَوْسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏”‏ إِنَّ مِنْ أَفْضَلِ أَيَّامِكُمْ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فِيهِ خُلِقَ آدَمُ وَفِيهِ قُبِضَ وَفِيهِ النَّفْخَةُ وَفِيهِ الصَّعْقَةُ فَأَكْثِرُوا عَلَىَّ مِنَ الصَّلاَةِ فِيهِ فَإِنَّ صَلاَتَكُمْ مَعْرُوضَةٌ عَلَىَّ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَكَيْفَ تُعْرَضُ صَلاَتُنَا عَلَيْكَ وَقَدْ أَرِمْتَ يَقُولُونَ بَلِيتَ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ ‏”‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ حَرَّمَ عَلَى الأَرْضِ أَجْسَادَ الأَنْبِيَاءِ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

Narrated Aws ibn Aws:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Among the most excellent of your days is Friday; on it Adam was created, on it he died, on it the last trumpet will be blown, and on it the shout will be made, so invoke more blessings on me that day, for your blessings will be submitted to me. The people asked: Messenger of Allah, how can it be that our blessings will be submitted to you while your body is decayed? He replied: Allah, the Exalted, has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of Prophets. (Sunan Abi Dawud)

Reciting Durood in Tashahhud is obligatory

In the first and second Tashahhud of the prayer, it is obligatory to recite Durood. Since there is no specific mention in the tradition, it is not incorrect to recite Durood exclusively for the second Tashahhud. Therefore, Syedna Abu Masood Al-Razi states:

أقبل رجل حتى جلس بين يدي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ونحن عنده . فقال : يا رسول الله, أما السلام عليك فقد عرفناه, فكيف نصلي عليك إذا نحن صلينا في صلاتنا ؟ قال : فصمت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم حتى أحببنا أن الرجل لم يسأله, ثم قال : إذا صليتم علي فقولوا : اللهم صل على محمد النبي الأمي وعلى آل محمد كما صليت على إبراهيم وعلى آل إبراهيم. وبارك على محمد النبي ! الأمي وعلى آل محمد, كما باركت على إبراهيم وعلى آل إبراهيم إنك حميد مجيد

A person came and sat in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and we were also present with him. He asked, “O Messenger of Allah! We know how to greet you with peace, but how should we send blessings upon you during our prayers?” May Allah bestow His mercy upon you. You remained silent to the extent that we wished that this person had not asked you. Then you said, “When you send blessings upon me, say: ‘O Allah, bestow mercy upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, just as You bestowed mercy upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are indeed praiseworthy and glorious.'” (Musnad Imam Ahmad: 4/119)

Morning and Evening.

It is narrated from Syedna Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَى حِيْنَ يُصْبِحُ عَشْرًا ، وَحِيْنَ يُمْسِى عَشْرًا ، أَدْرَكَتْهُ شَفَاعَتِيْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ

And a person sends blessings upon me ten times in the morning and ten times in the evening; he will have my intercession on the Day of Judgment.” (Sahih al-Jami’ 6357)

“Unfortunate is the one who does not recite blessings (Durood) upon me.” (Durood Sharif Neglect)

It is narrated from Syedna Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) that the Noble Prophet (ﷺ) said:

وَعَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «رَغِمَ أَنْفُ رَجُلٍ ذُكِرْتُ عِنْدَهُ فَلَمْ يُصَلِّ عَلَيَّ وَرَغِمَ أَنْفُ رَجُلٍ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَمَضَانُ ثُمَّ انْسَلَخَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُغْفَرَ لَهُ وَرَغِمَ أَنْفُ رَجُلٍ أَدْرَكَ عِنْدَهُ أَبَوَاهُ الْكبر أَو أَحدهمَا فَلم يدْخلَاهُ الْجنَّة» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “May he be abased who does not invoke a blessing on me when I am mentioned in his presence. May he be abased who passes through the whole of Ramadan before his sins are forgiven him. May he be abased one or both of whose parents have reached old age without causing him to enter paradise. (Mishkat al-Masabih)

A Gathering Without Sending Blessings

A gathering in which the remembrance of Allah is not made, and blessings are not sent upon you, O Messenger of Allah, is indeed a barren gathering. Its participants may face the punishment of Allah, as it is stated in an authentic Hadith. Therefore, Syedna Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) narrates that the Noble Prophet (ﷺ) said:

وَعَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَا جَلَسَ قَوْمٌ مَجْلِسًا لَمْ يَذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ فِيهِ وَلَمْ يُصَلُّوا عَلَى نَبِيِّهِمْ إِلَّا كَانَ عَلَيْهِمْ تِرَةً فَإِنْ شَاءَ عَذَّبَهُمْ وَإِنْ شَاءَ غَفَرَ لَهُمْ» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ

He reported God’s messenger as saying, “If people sit in an assembly in which they do not remember God or invoke a blessing on their Prophet, vengeance will descend upon them. If God will He will punish them, but if He wills He will forgive them.” (Mishkat al-Masabih)

To forget to recite blessings is, in fact, to forget the path to paradise

حَدَّثَنَا جُبَارَةُ بْنُ الْمُغَلِّسِ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ “‏ مَنْ نَسِيَ الصَّلاَةَ عَلَىَّ خَطِئَ طَرِيقَ الْجَنَّةِ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Whoever forgets to send peace and blessings upon me, then he has missed the road to Paradise.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

 

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