Question:
When I send blessings upon the Prophetﷺ I usually say “SallAllahﷻu alaihi wa sallam.” If I instead recite the longer salawat that we say in prayer, will that also count as salawat or would that be considered an innovation? What other phrases can be used?
Answer:
Let us clarify this issue step by step.
The Qur’anic Command to Send Salawat
Allahﷻ commands believers in the Qur’an:
“Indeed Allahﷻ and His angels send blessings upon the Prophetﷺ. O you who believe, send blessings and peace upon him.”
— Qur’an 33:56
This verse establishes an important principle: Sending salawat (blessings) and salam (peace) upon the Prophetﷺ is a general command for believers.
The verse does not restrict believers to a single specific wording.
Because the command is general, scholars explain that any wording that conveys blessings and peace upon the Prophetﷺ fulfills the command.
The Longer Salawat Taught in Prayer
The longer form of salawat that Muslims recite in the prayer is:
Allahﷻumma salli ʿala Muhammad wa ʿala aali Muhammadin
kama sallayta ʿala Ibrahim wa ʿala aali Ibrahim
innaka hamidun majid…
Allahﷻumma baarik ʿala Muhammad wa ʿala aali Muhammadin
kama Baaraktha ʿala Ibrahim wa ʿala aali Ibrahim
innaka hamidun majid…
This wording is known as Salat al-Ibrahimiyyah.
Why was this wording taught? The companions once asked the Prophetﷺ:
“We know how to send peace upon you, but how should we send blessings upon you in prayer?”
In response, the Prophetﷺ taught them this specific wording to recite during the prayer (salah).
Therefore: This longer form is especially taught for use inside the prayer.
It is part of the tashahhud recited near the end of the prayer.
Can This Longer Salawat Be Said Outside the Prayer?
Yes, it can be recited outside prayer as well.
There is no prohibition against reciting the longer salawat outside prayer. If someone wishes to say it, it is completely valid and counts as sending blessings upon the Prophetﷺ.
However, it is not required to always say the longer form outside prayer.
Common Short Forms of Salawat
Because the Qur’anic command is general, Muslims throughout history have commonly used shorter phrases to send blessings upon the Prophetﷺ.
Examples include:
SallAllahﷻu ʿalayhi wa sallam
(May Allahﷻ send blessings and peace upon him)
This is the most widely used phrase.
Allahﷻumma salli wa sallim ʿalayh
(O Allahﷻ, send blessings and peace upon him)
SallAllahﷻu ʿalayhi
(May Allahﷻ send blessings upon him)
All of these fulfill the Qur’anic command.
Evidence from the Companions
The companions themselves sometimes used short forms of salawat.
For example, when addressing the Prophetﷺ directly, they would say: “SallAllahﷻu ʿalayk.” (May Allahﷻ send blessings upon you.)
This demonstrates an important point: The companions did not limit themselves to only one fixed wording.
Various expressions of salawat were accepted.
Is Saying “SallAllahﷻu Alaihi Wa Sallam” an Innovation?
No. It is completely correct and widely practiced among Muslims. When a Muslim hears the name of the Prophetﷺ and says: SallAllahﷻu ʿalayhi wa sallam
They are fulfilling the Qur’anic command to send blessings and peace upon him. In fact, there are authentic hadith encouraging believers to send salawat whenever the Prophetﷺ’s name is mentioned.
When Should Salawat Be Recited?
Muslims commonly send salawat in several situations:
- When the name of the Prophetﷺ is mentioned
- During the five daily prayers
- In supplication (duʿāʾ)
- On Fridays, when salawat is especially encouraged
- During religious gatherings or sermons
To summarize:
Allahﷻ commands believers to send blessings upon the Prophetﷺ. The longer salawat (Allahﷻumma salli ʿala Muhammad…) was specifically taught for use inside prayer. Outside prayer, any wording expressing salawat and salam is permissible.
Common phrases include:
- SallAllahﷻu ʿalayhi wa sallam
- Allahﷻumma salli wa sallim ʿalayh
- SallAllahﷻu ʿalayhi
Saying “SallAllahﷻu ʿalayhi wa sallam” when hearing the Prophetﷺ’s name is fully correct and widely practiced.
Sending blessings upon the Prophetﷺ is a beautiful act of devotion encouraged in Islam. Whether one uses the longer salawat or shorter phrases, what matters is sincerely honoring and remembering the Prophetﷺ as Allahﷻ commanded.
Therefore, saying SallAllahﷻu alaihi wa sallam when hearing the Prophetﷺ’s name is completely correct.
Should we say “ʿAlayhis-Salām” after mentioning other Prophetﷺs? (According to Hadith)
Yes. Saying “ʿalayhis-salām” (peace be upon him) after mentioning any of the Prophetﷺs is permissible and recommended in Islam. It is supported by the by the practice of the early Muslims. For other Prophetﷺs, Muslims commonly say: “ʿAlayhis-salām” (Peace be upon him)
Let us look at the evidences and explanations.
The Prophetﷺ himself used this wording when referring to earlier Prophetﷺs.
For example, in authentic narrations he said: “May Allahﷻ have mercy on Musa.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
And in another narration when mentioning Prophetﷺ Yunus, the Prophetﷺ spoke of him with honor and respect. The companions also used ʿalayhis-salām when mentioning Prophetﷺs.
This indicates that sending peace upon them is part of honoring them and it is a good practice and a sign of respect toward the Prophetﷺs.
Many scholars mention that regularly using “ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam” specifically for Prophetﷺ Muhammad ﷺ distinguishes his status among the Prophetﷺs.
For other Prophetﷺs: ʿalayhis-salām is commonly used.
Example:
- Ādam ʿalayhis-salām
- Ibrāhīm ʿalayhis-salām
- Mūsā ʿalayhis-salām
- ʿĪsā ʿalayhis-salām
According to hadith: Saying “ʿalayhis-salām” after mentioning other Prophetﷺs is correct and recommended. Muslims should say “ʿalayhis-salām” after mentioning other Prophetﷺs as a sign of respect and following the Qur’anic example, although it is recommended rather than strictly obligatory.