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On the Benefits of Sending Blessings on Rasool-Allah And its Significance as a Token of the High Esteem His Guardian Lord Holds Him In Lecture Abstract: Delivered by Professor Al-Hassan bin Asseddiq In accordance with the glorious Quranic verses: Allah and His Angels Send blessings on the Prophet; O ye that believe! Send your blessings on him And salute him With all respect. It is a well-known fact that devotion to the Apostle of Allah (Peace and blessing be upon him) is one of the essential duties of a genuine believer. Devotion to him should actually exceed the love we have for our property, kin and kith, and progeny. Devotion to the Prophet is evidence of true faith. This devotion entails, among other things, sending blessings on him to show him gratitude and acknowledge his many favors, as befits his standing. Our Guardian Lord was the first to send His benediction on the Prophet, and He has urged His servants to follow suit. The general command is that Muslims should send their benediction on him, at least once. Thereafter, sending blessing on him becomes a highly recommendable act. It is advisable for people to salute the Prophet whenever his Sherifyan name is mentioned because the criticism directed against those who are neglectful of that duty is quite severe, and even marked by threats. However, in view of the fact that sending blessings on the Prophet constitutes worship, a pious deed which draws believers closer to him, and obedience, it is not permissible to bless him in places which are not worthy of his high standing, like entertainment centers and brothels, for example. The verse, which constitutes the subject-matter of the present lecture, in addition to commanding the believers to bless the Prophet, also orders them to "salute him with all respect". What is intended by "As-Salam" is peace, security, and care. It is preferable to combine benediction with salutation when invoking him. The Quranic verses under consideration stress the benefits to be reaped from sending benediction on the Messenger of Allah, in a general way. There are also a number of Hadith-sayings which mention the rewards to be earned for sending benediction on the Prophet: for instance, he who sends blessings on the Prophet shall be blessed ten times in requital. Along the same lines, Allah promises those that bless his Prophet to reward them tenfold and to write off ten of their sins. Above all, Allah honors those who send their benediction on the Prophet by having their names uttered in Heaven. He who is lavish in praising the Prophet, especially on Friday -which, as many Hadith-sayings report, is the ideal day for blessing him--earns his intercession on the day of Judgement and companionship in Paradise. Paragraph by Paragraph Summaries: Paragraph 1: On the Provisions of the Shar` (Islamic Law) Regarding Devotion to The Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessing be upon him). Devotion to the Apostle of Allah is one of the duties of religion; Devotion to Him has priority over the love for one's kith and kin, property, and progeny; Devotion to him entails showering him with benedictions; The best way of invoking the Apostle of Allah and getting closer to him is sending blessings on him, in token of obedience and gratitude. Paragraph 2: An Exegesis of the Verse under Consideration and an Explanation of its Contents. Almighty Allah begins the Glorious verse by informing us that He and His Angels send blessings on the Prophet, then moves on to command the believers to follow suit; The verse under consideration is intended to corroborate the command mentioned in the preceding verse, namely, the necessity to honor the Prophet and his consorts, and to show him esteem and due respect in his life and after his death; In token of His high esteem for the Prophet, Allah used to address His Apostle by the title of Prophecy, and not by name as He did other messengers; Allah's command to send blessings on His Messenger entails the necessity and obligation of abiding by the command; Muslims are obligated to bless the Prophet once; thereafter, continuing to bless him becomes a highly-recommended and appreciated deed; Severe criticism, marked with threats, is directed against those who fail to send benediction on the Apostle of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him). Paragraph 3: Of the Venues in which the Sending of Benediction on the Prophet is Reprehensible. One should not bless the Prophet when stumbling and falling; One also should not send benediction on the Prophet when bathing or when another person is sneezing; One should not bless the Prophet when copulating, immolating an animal, or expressing surprise; It is not permissible to bless the Prophet for promotional purposes; Sending benediction on the Prophet is forbidden in places not worthy of his high standing. Paragraph 4: On the Necessity of Blessing and Saluting the Prophet. Blessing the Prophet entails praising him as befits his standing; The actual sender of blessing on the Prophet is His Guardian-Lord; the blessings emanating from us are prayers invoking Allah to benedict the Prophet; It is preferable to combine benediction with prayers; 'As-salam' has three connotations: security, guardianship, and care; it also implies people's submission to Allah's Will and their adherence to his religion; Paragraph 5: The Benefits and Rewards of Sending Benediction on the Prophet. Sending benediction on the Prophet is amply rewarded: on behalf of those who bless the Prophet ten good deeds are recorded; ten of their sins are written off; and their ranks are elevated ten grades; Allah further rewards him that send benediction on his Prophet by invoking his name in the Heavens; Those who are the most generous in sending blessings on the Prophet become the most worthy of his intercession on the Day of Judgement and of his Companionship in Paradise; Friday is the preferred day for sending benediction on the Prophet; Paragraph 6: Moroccans have been known for their utter devotion to and love of the Prophet, as evidenced by their countless blessings on him. Courtesy: King Hassan II Ramadan Lecture Series : The Sherifian Kingdom of Morocco. © 2007 Islamic Studies and Research Association (ISRA) |