Extracted from the Risalah Tawdhih al-Masaʾil Jamiʿ [The Comprehensive Islamic Laws Manual] - Volume 1 –

of Ayatullah al-ʿUdhma al-Hajj as-Sayyid ʿAli al-Husayni as-Sistani

Compiled and Translated by Saleem Bhimji for Al-Fath al-Mubin Publications (www.al-mubin.org)

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إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا

“Verily, God and His angels bless the Prophet: [hence,] O you who have attained to faith, bless him and give yourselves up [to his guidance] in utter self-surrender!” (Holy Qur’an, Surah al-Ahzab (33:56).

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Ruling 1477

Whenever a person says one of the blessed names of the final Prophet such as Muhammad (S) or Ahmad (S); or one of his titles or nicknames such as al-Mustafa (S) or Abul Qasim (S); or even hears one of these names [or any other one] mentioned - even if that person is in the state of reciting one’s prayers (salat) - it is recommended (mustahabb) to send blessings (Salawat)1 upon the Prophet (S) and his family.

This rule also applies when an individual uses the actual phrases such as Rasul Allah (S) (the Messenger of Allah), the Nabi al-Akram (S), the Prophet of Allah (S), and the like - when such titles refer to Prophet Muhammad (S) specifically [not when they are used to refer to another Prophet which Allah sent].

The same ruling is also applicable when a person uses a pronoun to refer to the Prophet (S) - whether they say it or hear it [such as if a person were to hear or say something like: Allah said to His Prophet - where the ‘His’ refers to Prophet Muhammad (S)].

Ruling 1478

When writing one of the names, titles, or nicknames of the Noble Prophet (S), it is recommended to write the Salawat in full; and it is also better to say the Salawat whenever he is mentioned - meaning that in the process of when a person is writing his (S) name one should also recite the Salawat.

Ruling 1479

Whenever the blessed name of the Prophet (S) is mentioned repeatedly, it is recommended to repeat the Salawat, and it is recommended to raise one’s voice when saying the Salawat as this removes hypocrisy (nifaq) from the heart.

Ruling 1480

Whenever a person hears the blessed name of the final Messenger (S) during the tashahhud of the salat, it is sufficient that one recites the Salawat which is obligatory during the tashahhud, and one does not need to recite another Salawat.

Ruling 1481

The obligatory precaution (al-ihtiyat al-wajib) is that in order to gain the maximum rewards for the Salawat, and to benefit from this recommended action, one should not leave a long gap between hearing or saying the blessed name of the Prophet (S) and the subsequent Salawat.

Thus, if during the recitation of the salat, an individual hears or says the blessed name of the Prophet (S), then one should not delay in pronouncing the Salawat until for example, one gets to the end of the recitation of the surah which one is reciting in the salat - unless one is approaching the end of the recitation of that surah, and the recitation of the Salawat would not be regarded as being recited too long after hearing or saying his name.

Ruling 1482

When saying or writing blessings upon the Prophet (S), it is not appropriate to abandon the blessings upon his specific family members. Therefore, instead of saying or writing: prayers be upon him:

صلى الله عليه

Salla Allahu ʿalayhi

blessings of Allah be upon him

صلوات الله عليه

Salawatu Allahi ʿalayhi

or may Allah bless Muhammad

اللهم صل على محمد

Allahumma salli ʿala Muhammad

It is better to say or write: prayers of Allah be upon him and his family

صَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ‎

Salla Allahu ʿalayhi wa Aalih

Or salutations of Allah be upon him and his family

صلوات ٱللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ‎

Salawatu Allahi ʿalayhi wa Aalih

Or: O Allah! Send Your prayers upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad

اللّهُمّ صَلّ عَلَى مُحَمّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمّدٍ

Allahumma salli ʿala Muhammadin wa Aali Muhammad

Ruling 1483

Whenever the names of the other Prophets (‘a) which Allah (SwT) has sent, or the twelve Imams (‘a) are mentioned, it is recommended (mustahab) to send blessings upon them as well.

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• 1. The most complete form of the Salawat is:

  ٱللَّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

  Allahumma salli ʿala Muhammadin wa Aali Muhammad
  O Allah! Send Your prayers upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad