The Virtue of Sending Salawat to the Prophet (PBUH) on Friday
There are many virtues in sending salawat to our Prophet (PBUH) on Fridays. Frequently sending salawat ash-sharifa indicates the greatness of love for the Messenger of Allah (PBUH).
Salawat in the Quran
Allah Almighty says:
“Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe, send blessings upon him and greet him with a greeting of peace!” (Al-Ahzab, 56)
Allah Almighty and the angels, whose number only He knows, constantly send salawat to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). Therefore, at every moment of our lives, we should remember the Messenger of Allah -sallallahu alayhi wa sallam- , submit ourselves completely to him, and send abundant salutations.
How Much Salawat Should We Send in Prayer?
Ubay bin Ka’b -may Allah be pleased with him- narrates:
To the Messenger -sallallahu alayhi wa sallam- I said:
“O Messenger of Allah! I send you a lot of salawat ash-sharifa. How much should I do this?”
“As much as you wish.” he replied.
I said, “Should I dedicate one-fourth of my prayers to salawat ash-sharifa?”
“Dedicate as much as you wish. But dedicating more time would be good for you.” he replied.
I said, “Then should I dedicate half of my prayer to salawat ash-sharifa?”
“Do as much as you wish. But dedicating more time would be beneficial for you.” he replied. I then said:
“Then is three-quarters sufficient?”
“Do as you please. But increasing it would be good for you.” he replied. Then I said:
“What if I send salawat ash-sharifa in all the time I dedicate to prayer?”
“Then Allah Almighty will grant you all your desires pertaining to this world and the Hereafter, and forgive your sins!” he said. (Tirmidhi, Qiyamah, 23/2457; Hakim, II, 457/3578; Bayhaqi, Shu’ab, III, 85/1418; Abdurrazzak, II, 214)
Salawat and greetings are so important that the Messenger of Allah -sallallahu alayhi wa sallam- himself sent salawat and greetings in his prophetic position. He did this to fulfill the command of Allah Almighty and to be an example for his Ummah.
When a believer sends blessings and greetings to the Messenger of Allah -sallallahu alayhi wa sallam-, the Messenger of Allah -sallallahu alayhi wa sallam- responds with something better as a reward. For the Prophet’s prayer is acceptable with Allah, it is not rejected.
The Importance of Sending Salawat on Fridays
The Messenger -sallallahu alayhi wa sallam- said:
“Whoever sends blessings upon me, Allah Almighty responds to him with a response.” (Abu Dawud, Manasik, 96)
“Whoever sends blessings upon me near my grave, I hear it. And whoever sends blessings from afar, it is conveyed to me.” (Bayhaqi, Shu’ab, II, 215)
The Virtue of Sending Salawat on Fridays
Being preoccupied with salutations and greetings especially on Friday is a very virtuous act of worship.
Abu Darda -may Allah be pleased with him- narrates:
One day the Messenger -sallallahu alayhi wa sallam- said:
“Send abundant salawat upon me on Friday days! For it is a day when angels are present and witnessing. On that day, whenever someone sends blessings upon me, his blessing is absolutely presented to me. This continues until you stop sending blessings.”[3] I said:
“Even after your death?” The Messenger -sallallahu alayhi wa sallam- replied:
“Yes, even after my death! Allah has forbidden the bodies of prophets to be eaten by the earth.” “Allah’s Prophet is alive and always provided for.”” he said. (Ibn Majah, Janazah, 65. See Abu Dawud, Salat 201/1047, Witir 26)
Hazrat Ali -may Allah be pleased with him- has said on this subject:
“Whoever sends a hundred salawat upon the Messenger of Allah on Friday will come to the Hereafter with a very beautiful and radiant face. People will look at each other with envy, «This person must have performed what deed?».” (Bayhaqi, Shu’ab al-Iman, III, 212)
The Importance of Sending Frequent Salawat
Frequently sending salawat ash-sharifa is a sign of the greatness of love for the Messenger of Allah -sallallahu alayhi wa sallam-. This, in turn, brings the person closer to Allah. As stated in the hadith:
“On the Day of Resurrection, those closest to me will be those who send the most blessings and greetings upon me.” (Tirmidhi, Witir, 21/484)
Allah Almighty is not pleased with our indifference to His beloved Messenger, whom He has sent as a mercy to all humanity. Therefore, those who are stingy in sending salawat and greetings to the Messenger of Allah -sallallahu alayhi wa sallam- will go astray from the path of Paradise.[7] The Messenger of Allah -sallallahu alayhi wa sallam- said on this subject:
“When a group sits in an assembly and does not mention Allah and do not send blessings upon the Prophet, then that is a great deficiency for them, and it is a cause of regret and sorrow for them, and they have become deserving of punishment from Allah. If He wills, He will punish them, and if He wills, He will forgive them.” (Tirmidhi, Adab, 8/3380)
Hazrat Abu Bakr As-Siddiq -may Allah be pleased with him- said:
“Sending (sincerely) salawat upon the Messenger of Allah -sallallahu alayhi wa sallam- eliminates sins more quickly than water extinguishes fire. Sending (with love) greetings to him is more virtuous than freeing many slaves. Loving the Messenger of Allah -sallallahu alayhi wa sallam- is superior to the essence of souls and fighting in the way of Allah.” (Hatib al-Baghdadi, Tarikh Baghdad, Beirut 1422, VIII, 39)
FOOTNOTES [1] See Bukhari, Istizna, 28; Abu Dawud, Salat, 18/465; Tirmidhi, Salat, 117/314; Ibn Majah, Masajid, 13. [2] See An-Nisa, 86. [3] Commentators explain the presence of angels as witnesses on Friday as follows: On Friday, angels come and stand at the doors of mosques, recording those who enter in order of precedence. They greet those who pray and intercede for them. They also witness the other actions of believers. [4] See Tirmidhi, Witir, 21/485. Also see Muslim, Salat, 70; Abu Dawud, Witir, 26/1530; Nasa’i, Iza’n, 37/676. [5] See Nasa’i, Sahw, 55/1290. [6] See Nasa’i, Sahw, 55/1293. [7] See Ibn Majah, Iqamat, 25.