The Virtues of Salat al-Nabi

Salat al-Nabi, or praying upon the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is one of the greatest acts of worship that a Muslim can perform. It is one of the things that Allah, the Almighty, commanded believers to do in the Qur'an, where He said:

"Indeed, Allah and His angels pray upon the Prophet, so O you who have believed, pray upon him and give him peace." (Al-Ahzab: 56)

Salat al-Nabi has great blessings in this world and the hereafter, and some of its most important virtues are:

Increases the love of Allah, the Almighty, for the servant. The more a servant prays upon the Prophet, the more Allah, the Almighty, loves him.

Raises the servant in ranks before Allah, the Almighty. Salat al-Nabi is the best remembrance after the Qur'an.

Atones for sins. Salat al-Nabi is ten prayers from Allah, the Almighty, for the servant, each of which removes a sin.

Answers prayers. Salat al-Nabi is one of the causes of answered supplications.

Obtains the intercession of the Prophet on the Day of Judgment. Salat al-Nabi is one of the causes of the Prophet's intercession for the servant on the Day of Judgment.

Many hadiths have been narrated about the virtues of Salat al-Nabi, including:

From Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, he said: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

"Whoever prays upon me once, Allah will pray upon him ten times." (Agreed upon)

From Ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, he said: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

"Whoever prays upon me ten times in the morning and ten times in the evening, my intercession will reach him on the Day of Judgment." (Narrated by Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi)

The best way to pray upon the Prophet is to say:

"Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahim wa 'ala ali Ibrahim innaka hamidun majid, wa barik 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad kama barakta 'ala Ibrahim wa 'ala ali Ibrahim innaka hamidun majid."

(O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are praiseworthy and glorious. And bless Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are praiseworthy and glorious.)

Muslims should make it a habit to pray upon the Prophet at all times, whether in prayer or outside of it. They should also increase their prayers upon him during blessed times, such as:

Friday and Friday night

The Day of Arafah

The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah

The Night of Qadr

Salat al-Nabi is one of the easiest things that a Muslim can do. It is one of the most beloved deeds to Allah, the Almighty. Muslims should make it a habit to do it at all times.t