What is Salawat, What Does it Mean?
Salawat is the plural form of the word ‘salat’. It means the supplication made when the name of our Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him- is mentioned. Offering salawat is a sign of respect and love for the Prophet.
- How to Send Greetings to the Prophet?
Types of Salawat and Ways of Reciting Them
Salawat can be recited in many ways. The shortest form of salawat is: “Âllâhümme salli alâ Muhammed.”
It means: “O Allah, grant blessings and peace to our Prophet, our elder, Muhammad.” This is the most basic form of salawat and can be used at all times.
Salawat in Verse
It is stated in the verse:
“Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him-. 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 blessings to our Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him-. Therefore, at every moment of our lives, we should remember the Messenger of Allah -peace and blessings be upon him-, submit to Him completely, and send abundant blessings and peace. For the truth that “The name attracts the thing named.” is a manifestation, each blessed salawat reminds us of the high morals and exceptional virtues of our Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him-, thus ensuring that we maintain a more lively connection with Him.
Hadiths About Salawat
Our Prophet -peace and blessings be upon him- said:
- “Whoever is mentioned in my presence and does not send blessings and peace upon me is not part of me, nor am I part of him. O Allah! Let whoever maintains a connection with me, You also maintain a connection with him. Let whoever severs a connection with me, You also sever a connection with him.” (Deylemi, el-Firdevs, III, 634)
- “The miser is the one who does not send blessings and peace upon me when my name is mentioned.” (Tirmizi, Deavât, 100)
- “Whoever forgets to send blessings and peace upon me will be misguided in paradise.” (Ibn Mâce, İkâmet, 25)
- “Those who desire to meet Allah with pleasure on the Day of Judgment should send abundant blessings upon me.” (Ali al-Muttaqi, I, 504/2229)
- “Indeed, the one closest to me in tahqiq is the one who remembers me most with blessings and peace.” (Tirmizi, Vitr, 21/484)
- “Whoever has a need and finds it difficult to fulfill it should send abundant blessings upon me. Indeed, in tahqiq, blessings and peace remove grief and sorrow, increase sustenance, and are the sole means of resolving difficulties.” (Kenzu’l-Irfan, 5)
Salawat Taught by Our Prophet
Abu Muhammad Ka’b bin Ujra -may Allah be pleased with him- relates: One day the Messenger of Allah -peace and blessings be upon him- came to us. We asked him, “O Messenger of Allah! We have learned how to greet you, but how do we send salawat upon you?” He said:
“Say: ‘O Allah! Just as You have sent blessings (mercy) upon Ibrahim, so also send blessings upon Muhammad and his family. Indeed, You are worthy of praise and majesty. O Allah! Just as You have bestowed goodness and blessing upon Ibrahim, so also bestow goodness and blessing upon Muhammad and his family. Indeed, You are worthy of praise and majesty!’” (Bukhari, Deavât 32; Tirmizi, Vitr, 20; Ibn-i Mâce, İkâme, 25)