Salawat: Difference between revisions

'''Ṣalawāt''' (Arabic:{{iarabic| صَلَوات}}) is a special Arabic phrase, containing a salutation upon the [[Prophet of Islam (s)]] , which Muslims say in the [[tashahhud]] of [[prayer]], and also when hearing or uttering the name of [[Prophet Muhammad (s)]]. In addition to the holy [[Quran]] ([[verse]] 56 of the [[sura al-Ahzab]]), many [[hadith]]s have stressed delivering this salutation.

Muslims believe that Salawat shows one's respect to the Prophet (s), and generates Divine reward in the other world, as well as positive worldly results. Besides, it has a lofty position in common Islamic culture of many countries, in which Muslims relate Salawat on various occasions as an expression of happiness in festivals, or a blessed and auspicious start for their works.

The most common phrase for Salawat among [[Shi'a]] is; "{{iarabic|اللهم صل علی محمد و آل محمد}}" (O Allah, May you grant peace and honor on Muhammad and his family; trans.: Allahumm-a Sall-i 'Ala Muhammad-in Wa Al-i Muhammad).

Salawat is the plural form of "Salat" (Arabic: صلاة), and from the root of "Sad Lam Waw" (Arabic: ص ل و), 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.<ref>Al-Turayhi, ''Majma' al-bahrayn'', vol.1 p.266</ref> Among non-Arab Muslims though, it is not regarded as a plural word, but it has rather assumed a terminological meaning of the special salutation upon [[the Prophet (s)]] and [[Ahl al-Bayt|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:

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

The most common phrase of Salawat among Shi'a is; "{{iarabic|اللهم صل علی محمد و آل محمد}}" (O Allah, May you grant peace and honor on Muhammad and his family, trans.: Allahumm-a Sall-i 'Ala Muhammad-in Wa Al-i Muhammad). All Islamic denominations are consent to "{{iarabic|اللهم صل علی محمد}}" (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 [[Sunni]]s, 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'.<ref>Al-Suyuti, ''al-Durr al-manthur'', vol.5 p.214</ref>

Some hadiths state that Salawat is not complete without the "and his family" phrase.<ref>Al-Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.199</ref> Also some [[hadith]]s 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 al-Sadiq (a)]] that phrases Salawat as; 'The salutations of Allah, and the salutations of His angels, His prophets, and all His creatures, upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad and all peace be upon him and them, along with Allah's mercy and blessings'.<ref>Al-Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.196</ref> 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.<ref>Al-Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.197</ref>

Furthermore, as suggested by several hadiths narrated from Ahl al-Bayt, some Shi'as, utter the phrase; "{{iarabic|و عجل فرجهم}}" (and may You hasten their glad advent)", following to Salawat.<ref>Al-Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.5 p.96</ref>

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.<ref>Al-Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.194</ref> 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.<ref>Al-Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.194</ref> ' As stated in some other hadiths, among them a hadith narrated from [[Imam al-Rida (a)]], Salawat wipes out one's sins.<ref>Al-Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.194</ref>

In addition to stating that [[God]] and His [[angel]]s send Salawat upon the Prophet (s), holy [[Quran]] commands believers to do the same:

|Indeed Allah and His angels bless the Prophet; O you who have faith! Invoke blessings on him and invoke Peace upon him in a worthy manner.

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

:: Whoever sends ten Salawats upon Muhammad and his family, God and His angels will send him a hundred salutations, and whoever sends a hundred Salawats upon Muhammad and his family, God and His angels will send him a thousand.<ref>Al-Kulayni, ''al-Kafi'', vol.2 p.493</ref>

In his book ''[[Wasa'il al-Shi'a]]'', [[al-Shaykh al-Hurr al-'Amili]] (and also in the epilog of this book called ''[[Mustadrak al-wasa'il]]'', by [[Mirza Husayn al-Nuri]]) has compiled several chapters titled as; the character of Salawat,<ref>Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.196</ref> saying Salawat out loud,<ref>Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.193</ref> and so forth. Also [[al-'Allama al-Majlisi]] has reported 67 hadiths in the chapter of; the merits of Salawat upon the Prophet and his family, in his book ''[[Bihar al-anwar]]'', which is the greatest hadith source of Shi'a.<ref>Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.91 p.47-73</ref>

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.

Some effects of Salawat mentioned in hadiths are as:

# Compensation for [[sins]],<ref>Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.25 p.229</ref>

# The most weighty deed on the [[scale of deeds]],<ref>Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.197; Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.91 p.49</ref>

# Opening the gates of heaven and wiping sins,<ref>Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.91 p.56</ref>

# Causing nearness to, and affection of God,<ref>Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.194; Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.91 p.54, vol.12 p.4</ref>

# Saying Salawat out loud vanishes [[hypocrisy]],<ref>Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.192,200; Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.91 p.59</ref>

# The [[angel]]s pray forgiveness for one who writes down Salawat,<ref>Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.91 p.71</ref>

# Fulfillment of the supplication made following to Salawat,<ref>Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.96; Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.91 p.53</ref>

# Release from the fire of [[hell]],<ref>Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.6 p.479; Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.83 p.135, vol.91 p.58</ref>

# Devoutly Salawat fulfills one's worldly and otherworldly supplications,<ref>Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.91 p.70</ref>

# Generates the Salawat of God and angels upon the person,<ref>Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.194</ref>

# Banishes evil persons,<ref>Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.92 p.136</ref>

# The best of deeds on [[Friday]]s,<ref>Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.381; Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.56 p.27, vol.86 p.268, vol.91 p.50</ref>

# Visiting the [[promised Imam (a)]],<ref>Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.83 p.77, vol.86 p.363, vol.87 p.65</ref>

# Opens up the gates of blessings,<ref>Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.91 p.63</ref>

# The best supplication in [[Ka'ba]], the [[house of God]],<ref>Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.193; Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.91 p.57, vol.96 p.369</ref>

# Purification of deeds,<ref>Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.91 p.68</ref>

# The lighting of [[grave]], [[al-Sirat bridge]], and [[paradise]],<ref>Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.79 p.64, vol.91 p.70</ref>

# Nearness to the Prophet (s) on the resurrection day,<ref>Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.91 p.63</ref>

# The reward of a collective call of Salawat is countless to the angels,<ref>Nuri, ''Mustadrak'', vol.5 p.356</ref>

# Lighting and opening of heart,<ref>Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.199; Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.36 p.419, vol.58 p.37, vol.91 p.51</ref>

# One of the best deeds,<ref>Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.22 p.284, vol.39 p.274, vol.71 p.369, vol.91 p.70</ref>

# Salawat as [[Tasbih]], [[Tahlil]], and [[Takbir]],<ref>Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.194; Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.91 p.74</ref>

# Salawat upon [[Fatima al-Zahra (a)]] causes forgiveness of sins and joining the Prophet in heaven.<ref>Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar al-anwar'', vol.43 p.55, vol.97 p.194</ref>

* One who does not send Salawat upon the Prophet when hearing his name is regarded as miser, cruel, and remorseful on the resurrection day.

* A supplication which is not preceded by Salawat would be restrained from ascending to heaven and fulfillment.

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 incomplete but with a salutation upon my family.'

Also in some [[hadith]]s, one who does not send Salawat upon the family of the Prophet is represented as distant from heaven and a violator of their right.

Salawat is recommended in many occasions. As stated in a hadith, Salawat is desirable in any occasion.<ref>Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.201</ref> Some important occasions are:

* When [[God]] is mentioned: it is recommended that when God is mentioned, Salawat should be sent upon Muhammad and his family.<ref>Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.201</ref>

* Following to [[prayer]]: according to reliable hadiths, Salawat is of the most important [[Dhikrs]] after prayers, so as it is included in the three common supplications that are recommended after all prayers ([[Ta'qibat]]). In the Ta'qibat particular to the [[Morning Prayer]], it is recommended to say a hundred Salawats. It is also desirable to say the [[Salawat verse]] as one of the Ta'qibat of [[Maghrib Prayer]].<ref>Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.5 p.96</ref> A common tradition in [[Shi'a]] mosques is that following to each prayer, the Salawat verse is recited, and then the prayers send three Salawats upon Muhammad and his family.

* Following to a speech: as reported by some hadiths, sending Salawat after giving a speech is very desirable.<ref>Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.199</ref>

* After any supplication: it is recommended to include Salawat in the late phrases of any supplication, and according to some hadiths, it causes the fulfillment of the supplication.<ref>Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.199</ref>

* Before other prophets: it is stated in some hadiths that, when mentioning the prophets of God, before sending a salutation upon them, a Salawat ought to be sent upon Muhammad and his family.<ref>Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.199</ref>

* To recall what is forgotten: according to some hadiths, Salawat is an influential [[Dhikr]] to recall what is forgotten, provided that it is completed by a Salawat upon the Prophet's (s) family.<ref>Al-'Amili, ''Wasa'il al-Shi'a'', vol.7 p.199</ref>

Salawat is a [[compulsory Dhikrs]] in the [[prayer]]s, 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.<ref>Al-Saduq, ''Man la yahduruhu al-faqiq'', vol.2 p.183</ref>