‘Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels (ask Him to do so). O you who have believed, ask (Allah to confer) blessing upon him and ask (Allah to grant him) peace.’
Quran [33:56]
Allah has issued various commands in the Quran regarding Salah, Fasting, Hajj etc. He has also mentioned the virtues of various Prophets from the past. But it is only in honour of the last Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that Allah states that first He confers blessings upon him, after which the angels follow suit.
To pray for Allah’s mercies to be showered on the Prophet of Allah (Durood), is truly an accepted deed as this causes the mercies to be showered on the person making the prayer also. We shall look at this and other benefits in more detail below.
The status of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
The Prophet is the most beloved to Allah out of all creation. His qualities surpass those of every other created being and the quality of the Prophet (SAW), being loved by Allah, is with a level of love exclusive to him.
A hadith of Ibn Abbas (RA) narrates that a few Companions ‘were seated and mentioning the Prophet (SAW). They said that Allah had chosen Ibraheem as His khalīl (friend). He spoke to Musa (Moses), and Isa (Jesus) was the Word of Allah and His spirit. Adam was the ṣafī (chosen) of Allah. The Prophet (SAW) came and said, “I heard your conversation. Indeed, Ibraheem was the khalīl of Allah, Musa was the naji (one granted salvation) of Allah and likewise, Isa was the Word of Allah and His Spirit. Adam was the ṣafī of Allah. Listen carefully! I am the Habib (beloved) of Allah and I do not boast about it. On the Day of Judgement, the Banner of Praise shall be in my hand and beneath this flag will be Adam ‹ and all the Prophets, and I do not boast about it. On the Day of Judgement, I shall be the first to intercede and the first whose intercession shall be accepted, and I do not boast about this. I shall be the first for whom the door of Paradise will be opened, and I along with the destitute amongst my followers will enter Paradise first and I do not boast about this. I am the most dignified with Allah from amongst all who have passed and all who are yet to come and I do not boast about this.’ (Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ)
Examples of Durood you can pray
There are many different words that can be used when asking Allah to confer His blessings on the Prophet (SAW) an example is:
‘O Allah, Shower Your special mercies upon Muhammad, who is Your servant and Your Rasul (Messenger) and also shower Your special mercies upon all male and female true believers and upon all male and female Muslims.’
Another example is:
‘O Allah, Shower Your special mercies upon Muhammad, the unlettered Nabi (Prophet) and upon the family of Muhammad, just as You showered Your special mercies upon Ibraheem, and bless Muhammad, the unlettered Nabi, just as You have blessed Ibraheem. Verily, You are most worthy of all praises and the Most Honoured.’
Unlettered here means one who was not taught by any teacher. When growing up, the Prophet could neither read nor write.
Benefits of reciting Durood
The following are some of the many benefits of reciting Durood:
- The reciter’s sins are forgiven
- It purifies good deeds
- It elevates the rank of the reciter
- It is sadaqah (a form of charity) for the one without wealth
- It attracts blessing in wealth
- It helps dispel poverty
- It fosters love between the hearts of people
- It grants safety from Allah’s wrath
- Allah confers Durood upon the reciter
- The angels confer Durood upon the reciter
Durood is an extremely blessed act which people of understanding are inclined towards. The purpose of Durood is to gain proximity to Allah by fulfilling His command and to fulfil to some degree the right we owe to the Prophet (SAW).
We have been commanded to repay those who are our benefactors, and there is no greater benefactor than Rasulullah (SAW). Since we are unable to fulfil the task of conferring Durood upon him properly, we ask Allah to repay the Prophet (SAW) in a manner that is most befitting of his status.
Hadith about the excellence of Durood
Abu Hurairah (RA) reports that Rasulullah (SAW) said: ‘The person who confers Durood upon me once, Allah will confer Durood upon him ten times.’
Abdullah ibn Masud (RA) narrates that the Prophet (SAW) said: ‘The closest person to me on the Day of Judgement will be the one who recited the most Durood to me.’
Abdullah ibn Masud (RA) reports that Rasulullah (SAW) said: Verily Allah has (appointed angels) who travel throughout (the earth) only to convey to me the Salaams of my Ummah (nation).’
Ammar bin Yasir (RA) states that Rasulullah (SAW) said: ‘Verily Allah ( has appointed) an angel at my grave who can hear all of creation. Whenever any person conveys Durood upon me until the Day of Qiyaamah (Resurrection), this angel conveys it to me together with the name of the person and his father’s name.’
Abu Hurairah (RA) mentions that the Prophet (SAW) said: When someone confers Durood upon me at my grave, I can actually hear him and when he confers Durood upon me in my absence, it is conveyed to me.’
It is reported in a Hadith that Ubayy ibn Kaab (RA) came in the service of the Prophet (SAW) and said: ‘O Rasulullah, I have devoted all my time of zikr (remembrance) and dua (prayer) in sending Durood upon you.’ The Prophet said: ‘Then all your difficulties will be solved, your needs will be fulfilled and your sins will be forgiven….’
Abu Darda (RA) reports that Rasulullah (SAW) said: ‘The person who confers Durood upon me ten times in the morning and then ten times in the evening shall receive my intercession on the Day of Qiyaamah.’
Anas (RA) narrates that the Noble Prophet (SAW) said, “Confer blessings upon me, for your blessings upon me are expiation for your sins and are an act of charity.”
A true believer is never content with his good deeds. He is always striving to perform any act of virtue by employing any possible method. Thus, if he does not have any monetary charity, he will earn the virtue of charity by conferring blessings upon the Prophet (SAW).
Allah has chosen the Prophet (SAW) for His proximity in this life and the Hereafter. Blessings upon the Prophet (SAW) are an immense light and a trade wherein there is no loss. Conferring blessings and salutations has remained the daily practice of the friends of Allah. Thus, be steadfast in conferring blessings and salutations upon him. As a result, you will be freed from the path of deviation, your deeds will be purified, your hopes will be fulfilled, your heart will be illuminated, you will attain the pleasure of Allah and you will be at peace on the horrific and terrifying Day of Judgement.
It has been reported that after the Prophet (SAW) passed away, Umar (RA) was crying and said:
O Messenger of Allah, may my parents be sacrificed for your sake. You are so great in the eyes of Allah that the unbelievers in the Hellfire will be regretful for not obeying you, saying:
Ah! That we had obeyed Allah and the Messenger.’
Quran [33:66]
‘O Messenger of Allah, may my parents be sacrificed for your sake. Your status with Allah is so exalted that your obedience has been declared obedience to Him. Allah says:
He who obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah.’
Quran [4:80]
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