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SALAWAAT-O-SALAAM
(Salat 'Alan Nabiyy Sall Allahu 'alaihi wa Sallim)
A) THE EXCELLENCE OF DUROOD SHAREEF FOR THE
UMMAH AS EXPLAINED IN THE HOLY QURAN AND AHADITH
B) WHAT IS DUROOD SHAREEF AND THE IMPORTANCE OF DUROOD SHAREEF
C) THE EXCELLENCE OF DUROOD SHAREEF AS
EXPLAINED IN THE AHADITH
D) RESPECT THAT SHOULD BE ACCORDED WHEN
RECITING THE DUROOD SHAREEF
A) THE EXCELLENCE OF DUROOD SHAREEF FOR THE
UMMAH AS EXPLAINED IN THE HOLY QURAN AND AHADITH
The message of Allah Ta'ala to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa
Salim) has come down to us in the form of the Holy Quran and the teachings of
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) have reached us in the form
of the Ahadith. Let us see what both the Holy Quran and Ahadith say about Durood
Shareef (Salawat):
"Innal llaha wa Malaa'ikatahu Yu salluna allan nabiyi.
Ya Ayyuhal lazeena aamanu sallu alaihi wasallimu tasleema." (Surah Ai-Ahzab,
Verse 56)
Almighty Allah says: "Surely Allah and His Angels send blessings on the Holy
Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim). O you who believe! Send Blessings
(Durood) and Salutations (Salaams) on the Prophet with worthy Salutation".
(Surah al-Ahzab: 56)
In this verse of the Holy Quran, Almighty Allah, His Malaa'ikah and the Muslims
have been mentioned as sending Durood upon Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu
‘alaihi wa Salim). So, Durood Shareef is actually "a Du'a in praise of the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim)."
Hazrat Anas (radi Allahu anhu) narrates that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu
‘alaihi wa Salim) said: "He who reads a single Durood upon me, Almighty Allah
blesses him ten times, ten of his sins are forgiven, and he is increased ten
times in stages (internally). (Mishkaat)
Hazrat Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radi Allahu anhu) also narrates that Sayyiduna
Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) said: "On the Day of Qiyamah, the
closest to me from among the people will be those who have read the most amount
of Durood Shareef". (Tirmidhi)
It is now evident that the recitation of Durood Shareef (Salawat) is in perfect
obedience to the Divine Command and in complete conformity with the teachings of
Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) of Islam. There is no scope to
choose anything else when we have with us the words of Allah Ta'ala and His
Apostle, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim).
The Commands of Allah Ta'ala and the Rasulallah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim)
to recite Salawat-o-Salaam is unconditional i.e. no where in Quran or Hadiths,
Allah or His Messenger (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) mentioned in what position
we have to send Salawat and Salam and how loud?. It is entirely up to believers
in what position and volume he or she invokes Salawaat-o-Salaam, whether while
sitting or laying on bed/floor or standing still or walking, it does not matter.
Since we respect our beloved prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) the most
after Allah Ta'ala, it is the demand of this respect that we stand up and send
Salat-o-Salam to the Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim)
B) WHAT IS DUROOD SHAREEF AND THE
IMPORTANCE OF DUROOD SHAREEF
Divine blessings on Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim)
is the highest and the most meritorious act in our Deen. This "Divine Blessings"
is called Durood Shareef.
When Almighty Allah sends Durood and Salaams upon Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall
Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim), He is actually blessing him. When the Malaa'ikah and
the Muslims send Durood and Salaams to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu
‘alaihi wa Salim), they are actually showing Almighty Allah their respect for
the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim).
Muslims hope that, through the blessings of the Durood and Salaams, Almighty
Allah will forgive them of their sins and increase their status in this world
and in the Aakirah. The Malaa'ikah hope that Almighty Allah will increase their
status.
Durood is a sure means of Allah Ta'ala granting blessings, peace, prosperity and
favours of great magnitude on one who recites Durood Shareef on the Holy Prophet
(Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim). The reciter of Durood Shareef receives all the
benefits in this world and utmost gain in the next world with addition to the
love of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim).
The invocation of Blessings on the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim)
is styled in Arabic as "Salawat", in Persian as "Durood", and in Urdu as
"Salawat-o-Salaam".
The regular recitation of Durood Shareef on Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu
‘alaihi wa Salim) lifts up our hearts on to a plane of comprehension where we
gaze in our new found peace and moral armour.
The reciter of Durood Shareef will, after some time, come to realize by himself
that it is the spontaneous outpouring of his heart before the Great Prophet
(Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) of Islam, whose love and attachment is needed to
get all the present day problems solved and obtain mercy in the next world.
The more Durood Shareef we recite, the greater the gain and benefit will be
achieved in both the worlds. Hazrat Shaikh-e-Akbar Mo'inuddin ibn Arabi (radi
Allahu anhu) has stated that, "Those who claim to love and revere the Holy
Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) should increase their recital of the
Durood Shareef in patience and perseverance until, through the mercy of
Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim), they have the opportunity of
witnessing his blessed countenance".
The special and exclusive aspect of this prayer is that Durood Shareef is
immediately accepted by Allah Ta'ala. No one can doubt its acceptance, as Durood
Shareef is being recited by Allah Ta'ala too. Not only this, but He has revealed
this secret in the Holy Quran by saying:
"Wara fa'na laka zikrah " (Surah Al-Inshirah, V-4) ."
Translation: “And We have exalted for
you your remembrance”
Muslims are a very fortunate people. Allah Ta'ala chose for them the name of
Islam as a religion, declared to be comprehensive and final for mankind. The
person chose to deliver this message in this specific form and extra-ordinary
style of love and hope was the most beloved of Allah Ta'ala and became the Light
of Divinity to be shed upon the entire universe. This Light devastated all the
domains of darkness and depression. By reciting Durood Shareef (Salawat) we
invite Light and drive away all darkness from our inner soul. Our mind becomes
soft and love saturated. If there is softness in everything, it tends beauty to
it. People become ugly owing to lack of this essential beauty of the inner part
of the mind. This ugliness cannot be glossed over by any amount of cosmetics. It
is the Durood Shareef on the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) which
works wonders.
In the same manner, the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) taught us
Durood Shareef to attain salvation, perfect peace and maximum gain in this world
as well as the next. The soul is the soil where the faith of Allah is to be
implanted firmly and faithfully which requires continuous recitation of Durood
Shareef to thrive and flourish.
We have been told by Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) that
Durood Shareef is itself Light and when Light enters the soul every aspiration
is achieved and every goal is won. Nothing remains thereafter to worry about.
Human spirit today is depressed everywhere and mankind has come to the edge of
destruction, decay and devastation. Everyone is engulfed in untold miseries and
tragedies of a very great magnitude. Troubles and tortures, pain, poverty,
hunger, ill-health, frustrations and accidents have broken the back of a human
being. All this can evaporate with the recitation of Durood Shareef on the Holy
Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) who has clearly proclaimed that Durood
Shareef is the panacea of all ills and that if any one comes across a calamity
he should recite Durood Shareef in the maximum number. Allah Ta'ala has promised
that if anyone recites Durood only once, He showers ten blessings on the reciter
immediately.
It is narrated that once Hazrat Musa (alaihis salaam) walked a very long
distance in the desert during summer at noon. He fainted due to thirst and
hunger. After a while, when he regained his consciousness, Allah Ta'ala sent
Hazrat Jibrael (alaihis salaam) to go and inquire from Hazrat Musa (alaihis
salaam) if he was thirsty or not. Hazrat Musa (alaihis salaam) replied that he
was thirsty. Allah Ta'ala told him that the thirst on the Day of Judgement will
be a million times more than what Hazrat Moosa (alaihis salaam) experienced.
Hazrat Musa (alaihis salaam) was told that if he wished to get rid of that
thirst on the hottest Day of Judgement, he would have to do one thing. When
Hazrat Musa (alaihis salaam) enquired as to what should be done, Allah Ta'ala
told him that he should recite Durood Shareef in abundance on His last Prophet,
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim). Hazrat Musa (alaihis
salaam) thanked Allah Ta'ala and immediately began reciting Durood Shareef on
the Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim).
From the above fact it is quite clear that Allah Ta'ala has given orders even to
his Ambiya to recite Salawat on the last and final Prophet of Islam, and that
Durood Shareef is not only panacea and a solution to the ills of this world but
in the next too.
In another story, it is narrated that when Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) saw Bibi
Hawa (radi Allahu anha) he wanted to be close to her, but Allah Ta'ala sent
Hazrat Jibrael (alaihis salaam) to stop him. Allah Ta'ala told him that if he
wanted to take Bibi Hawa (radi Allahu anha) as his wife, he should first pay
Mahr (dowry). On his inquiry as to what the Mahr was, Allah Ta'ala told Hazrat
Jibrael (alaihis salaam) to inform him that the best way of paying the dowry is
for him to recite Durood Shareef 3 times on His last Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad
(Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim). Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) did so, Bibi Hawa
(radi Allahu anha) was granted to him as his legal and legitimate wife.
The highest blessings which Islam has conferred on man is the concept of Tauheed
or Unity of Allah in its purest form. This has been furnished to mankind through
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim), the last of the Prophets.
It is a cardinal duty of every Muslim man and woman, young and old to entertain
the highest respect, regard, love and esteem for the Prophet (Sall Allahu
‘alaihi wa Salim) and his family. It should be clear that obedience to Sayyiduna
Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) is always to be charged with intense
love and highest regard for him, for it is through love and esteem that truth
can be comprehended and communion with the Creator can be vouch-safed. In fact,
love is the motive force, reverence dissolves and implicit obedience to the
Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) which is the natural outcome. It is
therefore incumbent on those who love him, to pray to Allah Ta'ala and His
Angels in wishing for him peace according to the Divine Command. This will
reshape the life which is otherwise infested with turmoil. The reciter will get
countless and matchless benefits in both the Worlds and can claim to be the
lover of Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim).
As Muslims we should recite Durood Shareef in the Arabic language. Islam seeks
to create a unified outlook and it is in the Arabic language alone which welds
all Muslims into one great brotherhood. Besides, Arabic is the language of
Heaven, it is the language of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa
Salim), it is the language of the Angels and it is the language of Hazrat
Abu-Bakr, Hazrat Umar, Hazrat Uthman and Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu Anhumma).
The daily recitation of Durood Shareef has a tremendous effect on the human
head, heart, mind and person. It purifies thoughts and intensifies actions. It
makes passages for perfect peace and personal satisfaction.
C) THE EXCELLENCE OF DUROOD SHAREEF AS EXPLAINED IN THE AHADITH
"Hadith" is an Arabic word which means "Holy Sayings". It is the
narration of all the affectionate words of advice uttered by the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) from time to time. These sayings
(Ahadith) are instructions offered for the guidance of mankind, and to follow
them is as important as daily prayers.
The famous books of Hadith are the following: Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim,
Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Muwatta, Nisaai', Ibn-Majah, Darmi, Baihaqi and Miskhaat
Shareef.
Imam Bukhari (radi Allahu anhu), the compiler of Bukhari Shareef, took the
greatest and painstaking precautions in making his collections of Ahadith and
exerted to his utmost to achieve all accuracy and reliability as possible.
Hence, Ahadith quoted by Imam Bukhari (radi Allahu anhu) and his work on Ahadith
stands as one of the wonders of intellectual achievement in Islamic History. He
wrote all Ahadith in the sacred Haram of Madina Munawwarah. It is, therefore,
that most of the Ahadith have been taken from the book of Bukhari Shareef.
Important Ahadith of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) have been
included here for the betterment, benefit guidance and gain of the readers of
this book. If followed, the reader of these sayings will receive a permit to
Paradise even in this world. Every saying opens door to Divine favour and sure
success.
1. For every Durood Shareef that you recite, ten
sins are forgiven, ten good deeds are entered into your sheet of actions and ten
position are upgraded.
2. Allah showers ten blessings on the man who recites a Durood. 3. The first man
who will meet the Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) on the Day of Judgement
will be that person who had recited the Durood maximum number of times in his
life time.
4. Those who recite Durood in maximum number will be nearest and dearest to the
Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) in the next world.
5. If any one is involved in a difficulty then he must recite countless number
of Durood Shareefs.
6. Reciting Durood Shareef eradicates poverty and hunger.
7. If the Sawaab of the Durood Shareef is dedicated to another person, then that
person will receive the Sawaab, while the Sawaab of the reciter will not be
lessened.
8. Reciting excessive Durood Shareef brings purity.
9. Reciting maximum number of Durood Shareef is full compensation of all sins.
10. Any one who recites excessive Durood Shareef in this world will be safe and
sound in the next world.
11. When a prayer is made to Allah it is never accepted unless praise of Allah
Ta'ala and Durood Shareef on the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) is
first of all recited.
12. Those who recite Durood quite often will see Divine Light on the dark Day of
Judgement.
13. Three persons will be under the cool shade and the favours of Allah Ta'ala
on the Doom's Day. One who kept the Holy Prophet's (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa
Salim) Sunnah alive, one who removed difficulty of a fellow being and one who
recited maximum number of Durood Shareef in his life time.
14. When you forget anything and your memory fails to recollect it, then recite
Durood, you will remember the forgotten thing.
15. Reciting Durood in this world is rewarding in the next.
16. The reciter of 10 Duroods in the morning and 10 in the evening will receive
the help of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) on the Day of
Judgement.
17. One who recites Durood Shareef near the shrine of the Holy Prophet (Sall
Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) is heard by him there and then alone.
18. Any one who recites Durood is just as one who purchased a slave and freed
him.
19. If a Durood is written in a book by someone Angels of Allah shower blessings
on him till the Durood remains in that book.
20. The Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) said that he himself recites
blessings on one who recites Durood on him.
21. Any one who wants to meet his Allah with a happy face must recite countless
number of Durood Shareef.
22. Reward equivalent to a big mountain (Uhud) is given to one who recites one
Durood.
23. All people will be presented to the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa
Salim) with their habits, natures and distinct manner, so it is obligatory for a
man to recite maximum number of Durood.
24. Allah is Great and Almighty to forgive all sins of the reciter during the
day and night when he recites Durood Shareef.
25. If any one meets in a tragedy, he should recite Durood Shareef in countless
numbers.
26. Reciting Durood is like giving something in charity.
27. Reciting maximum number of Durood kills all hardships.
28. Recite Durood Shareef in countless number on Friday, as it is presented to
me (the Holy Prophet).
29. Bad deeds of 200 years (equivalent) are obliterated if a man recites 100
Durood on Friday.
30. Anyone who recites Durood will overcome all their troubles.
31. If the name of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) is mentioned
and one who hears it but does not recite Durood Shareef, understand that he has
forgotten the path to Paradise.
32. "I pray for all those who recite Durood on me", said the Holy Prophet (Sall
Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim).
33. If any one recites Durood Shareef from any place, any part of the world from
any distance, it actually reaches the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa
Salim) immediately. Allah Ta'ala has appointed several Angels who are given
exclusive duty to collect all Durood Shareef and present the same before the
Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) immediately.
34. Angels of Allah shower 70 blessings on a man who recites Durood once.
35. Whenever you hear the call of prayers (Azaan) you should recite Durood.
36. Wherever you are, from any quarter of the world, you must recite Durood as
it reaches the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim).
37. Ablution is not complete if Durood is not recited on it.
38. The Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) said to his wife that any
one who hears the name of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) and
does not recite Durood on him will not see the beautiful face of Prophet (Sall
Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) on the Day of the Judgement.
39. Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) reports that Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu
‘alaihi wa Salim) said, "The real miser is he in whose presence I am mentioned
and then he fails to recite Salat on me".
40. If a person recites 1 000 Durood Shareef daily, he will never die unless he
himself sees his place in Heaven with his own eyes.
41. The Durood Shareef that is recited by the person is written with a Golden
Pen on a Silver tablet by the Angels. The Angels then present this Durood
Shareef to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) and proclaim, "O
Habeeb of Allah! The son of such and such a person has presented this gift in
your majestic court".
D) RESPECT THAT SHOULD BE ACCORDED WHEN RECITING THE DUROOD SHAREEF
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) said: "Without
doubt, there is an Angel of Almighty Allah whom Allah has given power to listen
to the voices of all the people. Whenever any person reads the Durood Shareef,
this Angel delivers the Durood Shareef to me. I then plead to Almighty Allah for
the person to receive ten blessings for reading a single Durood Shareef". (Jami'
us Sagheer)
How should one recite the Durood Shareef? What should be the persons condition
and the conditions of his environment? The following points should be taken into
account when reciting Durood Shareef:-
1. It should be read with utmost humility and respect.
2. The clothes of the reciter should be clean and free from all impurity.
3. The place where the Durood Shareef is to be read should be clean.
4. It is more superior to be in a state of Wudhu while reciting the Durood
Shareef.
5. It is better to sit in the Tashahudd position as you would sit when in Salaah
and recite the Durood Shareef with concentration and the respect due to it.
6. It is preferable to face Madinatul Munawwarah.
7. If possible, one should have sweet fragrance around the place.
8. The reciter should try and understand the meaning of the Durood Shareef.
9. One should possess a clean and untainted intention. One should read with the
sole intention of pleasing Almighty Allah and Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu
‘alaihi wa Salim).
10. The person should not be involved in worldly talks.
11. A person should try his level best to follow the example or Sunnah of the
Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim).
12. When reading Durood Shareef, you should try and imagine that you are sitting
in the august presence of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim).
Utmost respect and reverence should be displayed.
13. Whenever one hears or recites the Durood Shareef, it should be read and
written in full. It is also preferable to kiss one's thumb and rub them over
one's eyes when hearing the name of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa
Salim).
14. When the reading of the Durood Shareef is completed one should praise Allah
Ta'ala that he has given you the opportunity of reading such a great Zikr as the
Durood Shareef.
15. Whenever one takes the name of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa
Salim), one should use titles of respect and reverence.
16. As an advantage one should count on one's fingers as Sayyiduna Rasoolullah
(Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa Salim) often encouraged this practice because on the Day
of Qiyamah those same fingers will bear witness at the time when they are
questioned.
17. Recite Durood Shareef wherever you are (not in the bathroom or toilet) and
during any occasion.
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