Conception of Salaat 'alan Nabi in light of the Qur'an and Sunnah

 Introduction

 

 One of the practices universally observed in Muslim culture is- when referencing Prophet Muhammad, to recite statements such as Sall Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam after his name. Similarly, neglect of reciting this term can be viewed as disrespectful by some observers. The practice is called by various names worldwide, such as Salaat 'alan Nabi, Durood Sharif, salaat wa salaam,  and even salawaat.

Several questions emerge as a result of this practice, among them being : (1) Does the religion require this to be recited frequently, or simply on occasion?  ( 2) Does this practice elevate Prophet Muhammad to an object of worship ? (3) Is there a distinction being created for him-in contradistinction to the other Prophets? 

While this article does not seek to answer those questions, it does seek-by analysis of the Islamic texts, to provide an understanding of the foundations behind the practice, and take away a deeper cognition of the texts themselves.

Salaat 'Alan Nabi in the Qur'an

 A solitary Quranic text forms the strongest evidence for the practice. The verse itself is often recited as a prelude to Salaat 'alan nabi itself, as well as Mawlid events, poems, and supplications. The text reads

اِنَّ اللّٰہَ وَ مَلٰٓئِکَتَہٗ یُصَلُّوۡنَ عَلَی النَّبِیِّ ؕ یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا صَلُّوۡا عَلَیۡہِ وَ سَلِّمُوۡا تَسۡلِیۡمًا

"Indeed, Allah and His angels Yusalloona upon the Prophet. People of faith, do salaah on him, and give obedient submission" (Q 33:56)

The verb yusallona is typically translated as "send blessings". However, contextual understanding is very important. This Soorah, Al Ahzab - as a whole- discusses issues related to conflict, as well as domestic  issues, and inspirational material. When read in context, especially in considering the term "Indeed Allah and His angels", it becomes apparent that Yusalloona means that God, through the agency of his angels, give the Prophet what he needs for success, and that the believers are told to do the same thing, i.e. to give their support, be it morally, physically, financially, to the Prophet, in order that the cause he is standing upon is successful.

It is worth noting here that the same Soorah has the same sentiment, with the same wording, as applied to believers. "It is He (God) who  is conveying upon you the meeting of your needs (yusalli 'alaikum), and the angels (are involved in this process), in order to remove you from darkness to light, and God is merciful to people of faith." ( Q 33:43).

 ہُوَ الَّذِیۡ یُصَلِّیۡ عَلَیۡکُمۡ وَ مَلٰٓئِکَتُہٗ لِیُخۡرِجَکُمۡ مِّنَ الظُّلُمٰتِ اِلَی النُّوۡرِ ؕ وَ کَانَ بِالۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ رَحِیۡمًا

 

Salaat 'alan Nabi in the hadeeth literature

There are a number of reports in the hadeeth literature that place emphasis on reciting salaat 'alaa Nabi, one of them saying that for every time it is done, Allah will send ten blessings on that person. (saheeh Muslim, Sunan Abu Dawud). These reports have varying degrees of authenticity, but nonetheless has always been acted upon, in particular in the final sitting posture in prayers.

The general wording is as follows:

(1) "O Allah, send upon (salli 'ala) Muhammad the necessities, and upon the followers of Muhammad, as you did upon Abraham, and the followers of Abraham, Indeed, You are praiseworthy, glorious."

(2) "O Allah, give blessings upon (Baarik 'ala) Muhammad, and upon the followers of Muhammad as you did give blessings to Abraham and the followers of Abraham, Indeed, You are praiseworthy, glorious." 

 

What is interesting is that in the hadeeth literature, we find that the Prophet himself, upon whom be peace, used the same phraseology in connection to other people:

 

" 'Abdullah b. Abi Awfaa related that whenever a people would bring their charity (sadaqatihim) to the Prophet, he would say "O Allah, send upon the people of so and so their necessities (Allahumma salli 'ala Aal Fulaan)." 

The same report says the Prophet would make the same invocation- the one traditionally made by Muslims on his behalf- for the behalf of specific individuals when they gave their charities (Saheeh Al Bukhari and Muslim )

 

Do Muslims worship   the Prophet?

Some critics assert that the practice of Salaat 'alan Nabi constitutes worship of the Prophet. They further assert this because the term Sall Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam has been translated by some as "prayers and peace be upon him".

 

The term Salaat is used for prayer, as in the prayers Muslims do on a daily basis. However, I hope it has been seen that the term, as thousands of other terms in every language, do not always the same meaning every time. One laughable critic has claimed that Islam teaches that "God prays to Muhammad", citing the expression Sall Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam as evidence. 

 

Other important points

(1) The Muslims generally have agreement of the necessity of doing Salaat 'alan nabi inside the prayers, in the final sitting position. The first part, in Arabic Allahumma Salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'alaa  aali Muhammad.. is viewed as necessary, whereas the second part, wherein Baaraka is mentioned, is deemed as, at best, a Sunnah. 

(2) There is an important distinction between the two parts of the supplication given in the "Salaat 'alan Nabi in the hadeeth literature" section above. The first part shows us a prayer for the necessities, the tools for success, be met, and that the Qur'an and hadeeth both use it in that sense, whereas the second one is for extras, for those things that, while unneeded for survival, enhances one's life and general happiness.

(3) There are narrations, including above, which speak of both aspects being extended not only to the Prophet, but to his followers (Aal Muhammad). This shows that even in worship, one has positive desires for others, as well as that we seek Divine help for the cause that the Prophet represented. After all, the Prophet is dead, and receives his rewards from his Lord, Allah Almighty. So "Muhammad" inside the sitting posture of prayer represents advocating or praying for the cause the Prophet stood for!

(4) The Shiites apply the term Aal Muhammad to the Prophet's family. This is a different understanding of a linguistic point, which should not be a point in polemics. 

Conclusion

There are many concepts in religion which take on a cultural dimension, and while this is not a problem, it is good to examine, with as much open-mindedness as possible, the sources of these concepts, to see the original intent behind them.

Salaat 'alan Nabi is clearly used in the Qur'an as an exhortation to physically, morally, and financially, to the believers, to assist the Prophet, to support him in his cause.

We believe the Prophet did also ask for a verbal supplication be made for him in prayers. However, the hadeeth literature is clear that he would do the same supplication, in the same wordings (Qaala: Allahumma salli 'ala 'alayh.) for people who would come to him.

We certainly are not advocating changing the practice of reciting Sall Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam (or expressions of a similar import) after the Prophet's name, we are simply stating, in light of the Qur'an and Hadeeth literature, that the Quranic verse which serves as the primary textual support for this- that verse (Q 33:56) has a deeper message than usually imagined.