'We said: "O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), we know about sending salams upon you, but how should we send salah upon you?" 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.)'" (One of the narrators) 'abdur Rahman said: "We used to say: 'And also upon us.'" Abu Abdur-rahman (An Nasa'i) said: This is more worthy of being correct than the one that is before it. And we do not know of anyone who said "Amr bin Murrah" in it other than in this case. And Allah (SWT) knows best.
The Book of Forgetfulness (In Prayer)
Sunan an-Nasa'i - Hadith 1288
Hadith Text
"We said: 'O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), we know about sending salams upon you, but how should we send salah upon you?' He said: 'Say: Allahumma 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.)'" (One of the narrators) 'Abdur Rahman said: "We used to say: 'And also upon us.'" Abu Abdur-rahman (An Nasa'i) said: This is more worthy of being correct than the one that is before it. And we do not know of anyone who said "Amr bin Murrah" in it other than in this case. And Allah (SWT) knows best.
Scholarly Commentary
This hadith establishes the proper form of sending blessings upon the Prophet (ﷺ) during tashahhud. The distinction between salam (greeting of peace) and salah (blessings) is clarified, with the Companions seeking precise guidance on the latter.
The prescribed formula connects the blessings upon Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) with those sent upon Prophet Ibrahim (AS), demonstrating the continuity of prophethood and honoring both noble lineages. The inclusion of "the family" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of these blessings.
The narrator's addition "and also upon us" reflects the Companions' understanding that collective blessings benefit the entire ummah. Imam An-Nasa'i's editorial note indicates careful scrutiny of transmission chains, highlighting the scholarly precision in preserving authentic prophetic traditions.
Legal Rulings
This prayer is obligatory in the final tashahhud of every formal prayer (salah).
The specified wording is preferred, though other authentic forms are permissible.
Blessings upon the Prophet (ﷺ) are recommended in various contexts beyond prayer, including when his name is mentioned.