Question:
Can we recite the special forms of sending blessings upon the Prophetﷺ, such as “Lucky Salawat,” “Taj Salawat,” and others. What are its authentic forms?
Answer:
Salawat (Salutations and blessings upon the Prophetﷺ) is of two types:
- Salawat recited during prayer.
- Salawat recited when the Prophetﷺ’s name is mentioned outside prayer.
The Companions asked the Prophetﷺ how to send blessings upon him in prayer. The Prophetﷺ taught them the wording used in the Tashahhud, such as
The Prophetﷺ taught the following salawat;
“Allahumma salli ala Muhammadhin Nabiyyul Ummi, va ala aali Muhammdhin, kamaa sallaitha ala Ibraheema va ala aali Ibraheema; Allahumma baarik alaa Muhammadhin Nabiyyul Ummi, kamaa baaraktha ala Ibraheema va ala aali Ibraheema innaka Hameedhun Majeed’’
These are authentic and should be recited during prayer.
This Salawat is not practically possible every time the Prophetﷺ’s name is mentioned due to its long phrase. If wanted to recite this long salawat during a sermon, then it would be too much burden for us to match each and every time the Prophetﷺ’s name is mentioned.
With reference to the hadees Ahmed 17072, a man approached Prophetﷺ and asked about salawat emphasizing the word ‘Sallallahu Alaika’, that is “Salutations and blessings upon the you (Prophetﷺ)’’; for this the Prophetﷺ did not object.
Therefore, outside prayer, when hearing the Prophetﷺ’s name, simply saying “Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam” is sufficient and authentic.
Specially named salawat like “Lucky Salawat,” “Taj Salawat,” and similar invented formulas have no authentic basis. Reciting them would be considered (Bid’aah) religious innovation – a sin that will be questioned by Allahﷻ.
Muslims should only stick to the authentic forms taught by the Prophetﷺ.
The Prophetﷺ said that whoever sends blessings upon him once, Allahﷻ will send blessings upon that person ten times.