What Is Salat Al-Salam? How And With Which Words Should One Send Salat Al-Salam Upon Prophet Muhammad (saw)?

What is salat al-salam? How and with which words should one send salat al-salam upon Prophet Muhammad (saw) ?

The phrase of “salat al-salam” which is formed with words of salat and salam refers to the duas made for Prophet Muhammad (saw) and the wish of Allah’s having blessings and peace on him. Salawat is plural form of the word salat. It is stated in the Holy Qur’an, “Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O ye that believe! Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect. ” (Ahzab, 33/56).

Salat of Allah the Almighty upon Prophet Muhammad (saw) means His blessings on him, salat of angels upon him means their wish to glorify him, and salat of believers upon him means making dua.

Based on this verse which commands to send salat upon Prophet Muhammad (saw) in the Holy Qur’an, there are several examples of forms of salawat composed in the past. One may send salat al-salam upon Prophet Muhammad (saw) by saying, “Allahumma salli ala Muhammad” or “Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam” or “Allahumma salli ala Sayyidina Muhammadin wa ala alihi wa sahbihi wa barik wa sallim” in the shortest way.

There are many hadiths that are narrated on this subject. In this respect, Ibn Abi Layla said, “One day I came across Ka’b ibn Ujra and he said to me, ‘May I give you a present that I heard from Prophet Muhammad? ’ Prophet Muhammad came near us. We said to him, ‘O Messenger of Allah! We have learned how to send salam upon you . But how should we send salat upon you?’ The Messenger of Allah (saw) answered as,

“O, Allah! Send salat upon Muhammad and his family as you sent salat upon Ibrahim and his family! Verily, You are the Most Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.” “O, Allah! Send Your blessings upon Muhammad and his family as you sent Your blessings upon Ibrahim and his family! Verily, You are the Most Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.” (Bukhari, Anbiya,10; Da’awat, 31, 32; Muslim, Salat, 65, 66, 69)

There is no specific time and number to send salat al-salam . One may send as much salat al-salam as he wants at any time . Reciting basmalah is not obligatory to send salat al-salam.

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWA