I said: “O Messenger of Allah(ﷺ), how do we send blessings upon you?” He said: `Say: O Allah, send Your salah (grace, honour and mercy) upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your salah upon the family of Ibrahim, You are indeed Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. And send Your blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your blessings upon the family of Ibrahim, You are indeed Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.”
Tafsir of the Blessings Upon the Prophet
This narration from the Musnad of Abu Muhammad Talhah bin 'Ubaidullah, recorded in Musnad Ahmad 1396, establishes the proper method of sending blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The term "salah" from Allah denotes divine mercy, honor, magnification, and spiritual elevation. When Muslims recite this, they invoke Allah's special grace upon His Messenger.
Comparative Analysis with Ibrahim's Family
The instruction to send blessings "as You sent upon the family of Ibrahim" connects the final Prophet to the legacy of previous Messengers, demonstrating the unity of divine message while establishing Muhammad's (ﷺ) distinct position. The family of Ibrahim includes Prophets Ismail, Ishaq, Ya'qub, and others who carried the message of tawhid.
Distinction Between Salah and Barakah
The dua contains two distinct invocations: "salah" (divine grace and honor) and "barakah" (blessings and abundance). This comprehensive approach covers both spiritual elevation and material abundance for the Prophet and his family. The repetition emphasizes the importance of both aspects in the believer's devotion.
Theological Significance of the Closing Attributes
The concluding words "You are indeed Praiseworthy, Most Glorious" affirm Allah's perfect attributes while making the supplication. This acknowledges that only Allah possesses the perfection worthy of praise and the majesty deserving of glorification, making the invocation more likely to be accepted.