Salawat: Difference between revisions

'''Ṣalawāt''' (صلوات) is a special Arabic phrase, containing a salutation upon the [[Prophet of Islam (s)]] , which Muslims say in the [[Tashahhud]] of [[ritual prayer]], and also when hearing or uttering the name of [[Prophet Muhammad (s)]]. In addition to the holy Quran (ayah 56 of the surah [[al-Ahzab]]), many hadiths have stressed delivering this salutation.

The most common phrase for Salawat among Shi'a is; 'اللهم صل علی محمد و آل محمد (O Allah, May you grant peace and honor on Muhammad and his family).'

Salawat is the plural form of "Salat", and from the root of "S-L-W", meaning prayer, salutation, greeting, and mercy. "Salat", the singular form of "Salawat", also means the ritual prayer, and it is called so since it includes some prayers, and thus "Salawat" has a plural meaning in Arabic, and means ritual prayers, prayers (in general), or salutations. In Persian though, it is not regarded as a plural word, but it has rather assumed a terminological meaning of the special salutation upon the holy Prophet (s) and his family.

Arabic philologists have mentioned that when used as salutation and greeting, the meaning of the word "Salat" would vary according to who has used the word, and to whom it is used for. For instance; "Salat" of the Prophet upon believers is a prayer for their welfare, blessing, and salvation, "Salat" of angels upon one means that they implore forgiveness and blessing for him, "Salat" of believers upon Muhammad (s) shows their praise and respect for him, "Salat" of God upon the Prophet (s) is to grant His blessings to him, and that of angels means that they implore God's blessings for him.

As a religious term, "Salawat" is used for a special salutation upon the Prophet (s), and its common form among Shi'a is; 'اللهم صل علی محمد و آل محمد'. Though a plural word in Arabic, "Salawat" is used as a singular word in Persian, meaning this special salutation upon the Prophet (s).

The most common phrase of Salawat among Shi'a is; اللهم صل علی محمد و آل محمد (O Allah, May you grant peace and honor on Muhammad and his family). All Islamic denominations are consent to "O Allah, May you grant peace and honor on Muhammad" as the main phrase of Salawat, but there are conflicts about the following phrase. Unlike Sunnis, Shi'as often attach the following phrase; "and his family", adducing many hadiths in Shi'a and Sunni sources, in which it is suggested that a complete Salawat contains the following phrase. For instance it is narrated that the Prophet (s) said to a man who asked about Salawat; 'Say, 'O Allah, May you grant peace and honor on Muhammad and his family, so as You granted peace and honor on the dynasty of Ibrahim, verily You are the Laudable, the Glorious. O Allah, May you grant blessing on Muhammad and his family, so as You granted blessing on Ibrahim, verily You are the Laudable, the Glorious''.

Some hadiths state that Salawat is complete but with the following phrase. Also some hadiths reported from [[Ahl al-Bayt]] stress that Salawat upon the holy Prophet (s) should accompany Salawat upon his family, such as a hadith from [[Imam Sadiq]] (a) that such phrases Salawat; 'May be on Muhammad and his family the salutations of Allah, and his angels, his prophets, and all his creatures, and Greetings be upon him and his family, along with Allah's mercy and blessing'. It is also narrated that Salawat upon the Prophet (s) is recorded as a hundred good deeds, while a Salawat upon him and his family is recorded as a thousand.

Furthermore, as suggested by several hadiths narrated from Ahl al-Bayt, some Shi'as, especially in Iran, utter the phrase; "و عجل فرجهم (and may You hasten their glad advent)", following to Salawat.

According to some hadiths, the prophets preceding his highness Muhammad (s) would utter Salawat. As stated in a hadith, Salawat promoted Ibrahim (a) to higher spiritual degrees. It is narrated from the Prophet (s) that; 'Whoever sends Salawat upon me, the angels would send him Salawat, many or few, just as he does.' As stated in some other hadiths, among them a hadith narrated from [[Imam Riza]] (a), Salawat wipes out one's sins.

In addition to stating that [[God]] and His [[angels]] send Salawat upon the Prophet (s), [[holy Quran]] commands believers to do the same; 'Indeed Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet. O you that believe! Send your blessings on him, and salute him with all respect (33 – 56).'

Salawat is a compulsory [[dhikr]] in the ritual prayers, and every Muslim is obliged to utter Salawat in the [[tashahud]] of his [[daily prayers]], and salute the Prophet (s) and his family with the special phrase. According to reliable hadiths, deliberate abandonment of this Salawat invalidates the prayer.

In relation to Salawat, many divine and worldly rewards are mentioned in hadith sources, in many which there are separate chapters in regard to Salawat and its features and significance. It is reported in [[Kafi]], the most reliable hadith source of Shi'a, that:

In his book [[Wasa'il al-Shi'a]], [[Sheykh Hurr al-'Amili]] (and also in the epilog of this book called [[Mustadrak al-wasa'il]], by [[Mirza Hussayn Nuri]]) has compiled several chapters titled as; the character of Salawat, saying Salawat out loud, and so forth. Also [['Allama Majlisi]] has reported 67 hadiths in the chapter of; the merits of Salawat upon the Prophet and his family, in his book [[Bahar al-'anwar]], which is the greatest hadith source of Shi'a.

In the sixth chapter of the first volume of [[Kanz al-'ummal]], which is a Sunni hadith collection, 119 hadiths are narrated in regard to Salawat and its significance and virtues.

# Saying Salawat out loud vanishes hypocrisy,

# The angels pray forgiveness for one who writes down Salawat,

# Visiting the [[promised Imam]] (a),

# The lighting of [[grave]], [[al-sirat bridge]], and [[paradise]],

# Salawat upon her highness [[Fatima al-Zahra]] (a) causes forgiveness of sins and joining the Prophet in heaven.

Several hadiths are narrated from the Prophet (s) in which he said; 'perfect your Salawat upon me with the Salawat upon my dynasty. A Salawat upon me is complete but with a salutation upon my family.' Also in some hadiths, one who does not send Salawat upon the family of the Prophet is represented as distant from heaven and a violator of their right.

* When God is mentioned: it is recommended that when God is mentioned, Salawat should be sent upon Muhammad and his family.

* Following to ritual prayer: according to reliable hadiths, Salawat is of the most important [[dhikrs]] after ritual prayers, so as it is included in the three common prayers that are recommended after all ritual prayers. In the follow-ups particular to the Morning Prayer, it is recommended to say a hundred Salawats. It is also desirable to say the [[ayah of Salawat]] as a follow-up to [[Maqrib Prayer]]. A common tradition in Shi'a mosques is that following to each ritual prayer, the ayah of Salawat is recited, and then the prayers send three Salawats upon Muhammad and his family.

Recitation of Salawat means to send a certain number of Salawats, e.g. 100 or 14000 Salawats (a thousand for each of the [[fourteen infallibles]]). These numbers are not rooted in Quran or hadith sources, and are more generated from the recommendations of scholars or various cultures. Today, in some Shi'a communities, meetings are held as recitation of Salawat, and they are mostly held for a special supplication to be granted. In the book, 'Athar va barakat Salawat (the influences and blessings of Salawat)', a separate chapter is devoted to various methods of Salawat recitation. None of these methods are attributed to hadith sources.