The people asked, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! How shall we (ask Allah to) send blessings on you?" Allah's Apostle replied, "Say: O Allah! Send Your Mercy on Muhammad and on his wives and on his off spring, as You sent Your Mercy on Abraham's family; and send Your Blessings on Muhammad and on his offspring, as You sent Your Blessings on Abraham's family, for You are the Most Praiseworthy, the Most Glorious."
Tafsir of the Hadith on Sending Blessings upon the Prophet
This noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (3369) provides the precise formulation for sending blessings (salawat) upon the Final Messenger, peace be upon him. The Companions' inquiry demonstrates their profound love and respect, seeking the most excellent manner to honor him.
The Comprehensive Nature of the Supplication
The Prophet instructed us to include his wives and progeny in our prayers, indicating the comprehensive nature of this blessing. This mirrors the divine blessings bestowed upon the family of Abraham, establishing a spiritual connection between these two great prophetic lineages.
The mention of "Mercy" (Rahmah) precedes "Blessings" (Barakah), as Allah's mercy encompasses and precedes all blessings. The repetition emphasizes the completeness of what we seek for Allah's Messenger.
Scholarly Insights
Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains in Fath al-Bari that including the Prophet's family in our prayers demonstrates the perfection of his character, as he naturally included those connected to him in this honor.
The concluding phrase "for You are the Most Praiseworthy, the Most Glorious" affirms Allah's perfect attributes, making our supplication more likely to be accepted. This format has become the standard for sending blessings upon the Prophet in prayers and throughout a Muslim's life.