"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to us in the Majlis of Sa'd bin 'Ubadah and Bashir bin Sa'd said to him: 'Allah has commanded us to send Salah upon you, O Messenger of Allah; so how should we send salah upon you?' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) remained silent until we wished that he had not asked him. Then he said: 'Say: 'Alahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama sallaita 'ala Ibrahima wa barik 'ala Muhammad kama barakta 'ala ali Ibrahim fil-'alamin, innaka hamidun majid (O Allah, send salah upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent salah upon the family of Ibrahim, and send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad as You sent blessings upon the family of Ibrahim among the nations. You are indeed Worthy of praise, Full of glory.)" And the salam is as you know.'"
The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer)
Sunan an-Nasa'i - Hadith Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1285
Hadith Text
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to us in the Majlis of Sa'd bin 'Ubadah and Bashir bin Sa'd said to him: 'Allah has commanded us to send Salah upon you, O Messenger of Allah; so how should we send salah upon you?' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) remained silent until we wished that he had not asked him. Then he said: 'Say: 'Alahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama sallaita 'ala Ibrahima wa barik 'ala Muhammad kama barakta 'ala ali Ibrahim fil-'alamin, innaka hamidun majid (O Allah, send salah upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent salah upon the family of Ibrahim, and send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad as You sent blessings upon the family of Ibrahim among the nations. You are indeed Worthy of praise, Full of glory.)" And the salam is as you know.'"
Scholarly Commentary
This noble hadith establishes the proper manner of sending blessings upon the Prophet (ﷺ) as commanded in Surah Al-Ahzab (33:56). The Companions' question demonstrates their eagerness to fulfill this divine injunction correctly.
The Prophet's initial silence indicates the gravity of the matter and his contemplation of how to articulate this sacred invocation. The prescribed formula connects the ummah of Muhammad with the legacy of Ibrahim (AS), demonstrating the continuity of prophethood and divine favor.
The phrase "as You sent salah upon Ibrahim" refers to Allah's specific blessings mentioned in the Quran, including prophethood, scripture, and eternal remembrance. The comprehensive nature of this prayer encompasses spiritual elevation (salah) and material abundance (barakah) for the Prophet and his purified household.
The concluding words "innaka hamidun majid" affirm Allah's perfect attributes, making the prayer more likely to be accepted. The final remark about "salam" refers to the Tashahhud's concluding salutations, indicating this prayer's placement within the prescribed prayer format.