Getting Closer To Prophet Muhammad...

As-Salaam alaikum,
 In ayat 56 of Suarh Ahzab of the Holy Qur'an (33:56), Allah Ta'ala says:--

         "Verily, Allah and (all) His angels send blessings on the
            Prophet; O you who believe! send (invoke) blessings upon
           him with a worthy salutation of peace abundantly (and fervently)."


 In this verse/ayat of the Qur'an, Allah Ta'ala, the Angels and the Muslims are mentioned as sending Salawaat...peace and blessings upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam. So, Salaat ala Nabiy is actually a supplication (Du'a) in praise of the Prophet. When Allah sends Salaams upon the Prophet, He is actually blessing him. When the angels and the Muslims send (recite) Salawaat ala Nabiy, they are actually showing Allah their respect for the Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam.


Salaat ala Nabiy is a blessing beyond our understanding, as recounted by  Imam Shams-ud-Din Sakhawi, in his work titled, 'Al Qawl ul Badi', where he says that some of the benefits of this Ibada/worship of Salaawat ala Nabiy, include:--

(1) It lifts the reciter of Salaawaat ala Nabi to a higher state of spirituality.

(2) The reciter is free of all fears.

(3) It removes rust from its reciter's heart.

(4) The reciter becomes entitled to the Mercy and Blessings of Allah Almighty, and will be

(5) among the closest to the Holy Prophet on the Day of Judgement.

 Indeed, Al-Tabarani related on the authority of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, saying:-  "The Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, said:-- "Whoever sends upon me one prayer, Allah will reciprocate it by sending 10 prayers upon him. Whoever sends upon me 10 prayers, Allah will send 100 prayers upon him. Whoever sends upon me 100 prayers, Allah will bestow upon him relief from hypocrisy and hellfire, and grant him the companionship of the martyrs on the Day of Judgement.''

This is a great affair! Relief from hypocrisy reflects completeness in faith and relief from hellfire reflects an individual's refraining from disobedience. Companionship of the martyrs in Paradise reflects the attainment of Allah's satisfaction (ridwan-al-akbar) with them.

For more on this matter, see
Abdullah Siraj al-Din al-Husayni's book:
''The Merits of Salawaat ala Nabiy, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam''.