The Last Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (s.a.w) is the greatest benefactor of humanity and a source of guidance for all Muslims. Loving him is an essential part of faith. Narrated Anas bin Malik The Prophet (s.a.w) said: “None of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father, his children, and all mankind.” (Agreed Upon )The best way to express love for the Prophet (s.a.w) is to send peace and blessings upon him. Regarding this, Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, its virtue is great and benefit in this world and the hereafter for those who are excessive in it are plenty. Allah the Exalted said:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
“Indeed, Allah and His Angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe! Send blessings on him and greet him (with) greetings.” (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:56)
Shaykhul Islam Ibnul-Qayyim collects 39 benefits, in his amazing book Jalaa ul Afhaam, regarding invoking Allah to Bless Muhammad ( صلى الله عليه وسلم). All of the points are based on authentic evidence from the Quran and Sunnah.
Ibn al-Qayyim rahimahullah says:
- Responding to the order of Allah, Exalted and Magnificent in Quran 33:56.
- Following the order of Allah, Exalted and Magnificent in the sending of blessings upon His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم), although the blessings (requesting Blessings) differ, being from us supplication and request, and being from Allah exaltation and ennoblement.
- Following the Angels in the invocation of the Messenger ( صلى الله عليه وسلم), also.
- The attainment of ten blessings from Allah for every one blessing upon the Messenger ( صلى الله عليه وسلم)
- He who sends blessing upon the Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم), Allah raises him by ten levels.
- He also has written for him ten good deeds.
- He also has erased from his record ten bad deeds.
- The invocation increases the chance of one’s supplication being answered if it follows the supplication, as the invocation of blessings upon the Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) raises those supplications to the Lord of the Worlds which were stalled between the heavens and the earth.
- It is a means to receive the intercession of the Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم), whether or not a specific intercession is sought.
- It is a means to have one’s sins forgiven.
- It is a means for Allah to satisfy his servant’s worldly needs.
- It is a means to draw near to the Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) on the Day of Resurrection.
- It compensates for giving charity to those who are too poor to give it.
- It is a means of fulfilling one’s needs (Qaeda’ al-Haajah)
- It is a means to receive the Prophet’s ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) blessings, and the Angels likewise.
- It is a means of purification for he who invokes it.
- For one who sends blessings on him ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) it is glad tidings in his life that he has been granted his place in Paradise
- It is a means of salvation from the terror of the Day of Resurrection
- It is a means for the Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) to return the blessings and greeting upon he who invokes it.
- It is a means of purifies a meeting or gathering and is a means to prevent any ill talk or conduct occurring therein
- It is a means to remember something which has been forgotten by some.
- It is a safeguard against poverty.
- It saves one from being branded a miser or stingy
- It saves one from being cursed and disgraced because the one who neglects the blessings and prayers upon hearing the Prophet’s name ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) risks receiving Allah’s anger.
- It keeps the one who invokes it steadfast upon the path to Paradise and keeps he who neglects it from travelling the path.
- It safeguards a believer on the Siraat (bridge over Hellfire) and makes their feet firm
- It is a cause for the perfection of any speech which begins with the praise of Allah the Exalted and the blessings of His Messenger ( صلى الله عليه وسلم).
- It is a cause for the slave to find light cast in abundance in his life to guide him on the Straight Path.
- It refines the worshipper’s character and manners.
- It is a means for Allah to preserve those in the heavens and the earth praising and commending he who invokes it.
- It is a means of the worshipper to obtain a blessing for himself in his work, life, and provision.
- It is a means of obtaining the mercy of Allah.
- It sustains, increases and multiplies love for the Messenger of Allah ( صلى الله عليه وسلم), which is among the core bases of Faith, without which faith cannot be complete.
- It earns the Prophet’s ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) love for the servant of Allah.
- It is a means of the worshipper’s guidance and a source of vitality for his heart.
- It causes the worshipper’s name to be shown to the Prophet and the mention of the worshipper to him ( صلى الله عليه وسلم).
- It is a means for the worshipper to find ease upon crossing the pass over the Hellfire.
- Invoking blessing and peace upon the Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) is his right upon us,
- Invoking blessing and peace upon the Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) in itself contains remembrance of Allah the Exalted, and is an expression of thanks to Him and a recognition of His immense favour upon His slaves by sending him to us ( صلى الله عليه وسلم).
لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا
“Certainly, is for you in (the) Messenger (of) Allah an excellent example for (one) who has hope (in) Allah and the Day the Last, and remembers Allah much.” (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:21)
‘O Allah, Exalt and Ennoble Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, just as You Exalted and Ennobled Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. O Allah, send blessings upon Mohammad and the family of Muhammad, just as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. Verily, You are full of praise and majesty.’
