The Significance of Reciting Durood (Salawat) on Prophet Mohammad

Durood Sharif (salawat) holds a central place in Islam. Its significance lies not only in honouring the Prophet but also in the spiritual rewards and closeness it brings to a believer. From the Quran to numerous Hadith, the importance of reciting Durood is repeatedly emphasised, highlighting its virtues, rewards, and lasting impact in this life and the hereafter.

What is Durood (Salawat)?

Durood, also known as salawat, refers to sending blessings and peace upon Prophet Mohammad. Allah Almighty has revealed many commandments in the Holy Quran for the guidance of believers. Among them are the essential acts of worship such as prayer (salat), fasting (sawm), Hajj, and zakat. These are duties placed upon people. Yet none of these is described as acts in which Allah Himself and His angels also partake. However, when it comes to sending salawat (blessings and salutations on the Prophet), Allah declares:

Meaning: Indeed, Allah bestows His blessings upon the Prophet, and His angels pray for him. O believers! Invoke Allah’s blessings upon him and salute him with worthy greetings of peace. (33:56)

The interpreters and scholars agree that, in this verse, Allah Almighty’s sending blessings upon the Prophet signifies the elevation of his rank. As for the angels and the believers, they are commanded to send salutations so that they may honour him, praise him, and supplicate for peace and blessings upon him.

Significance of Reciting Durood in Islam

Both the Quran and the Hadith have established the significance of sending salutations upon the Prophet. It is among the most distinguished, honourable and accepted acts in the court of Allah. Wahb ibn Munabbih narrates that the Holy Prophet said:

“Sending salawat is an act of worship.”

Abdullah ibn Abbas further explained that believers are commanded to make Durood an essential part of their worship. He urged that their homes, mosques and gatherings be filled with the remembrance of sending blessings and salutations upon the Prophet. (Al-Qaul-al-Badi’ fi as-Salat al-Habib ash-Shafi)

Importance of Reciting Durood in Gatherings

A Hadith states:

“Adorn your gatherings with salawat, for your sending of salutations will become a light for you on the day of judgment.” (Jami al-Saghir)

In the same spirit, the Mother of the Believers, Aisha bint Abi Bakr, narrated that gatherings are honoured and graced through the mention of the Prophet. She encouraged that they be adorned with the recitation of salawat.

In fact, sending peace and blessings upon the Prophet brings a distinct beauty and splendour to any gathering. Those who make it a regular part of their lives are promised great reward from Allah Almighty. Ibn Nauman states:

The scholars unanimously agree that sending salutations upon the Messenger of Allah is among the most virtuous deeds. Through it, a person attains success in both this world and the hereafter.

In the same regard, Imam Zain al-Abideen said, “The sign of a truthful group is that they profusely send praise and salutations upon the beloved Prophet of Allah.”

Hadiths About Durood and Its Rewards

There are numerous virtues associated with sending Durood upon the Holy Prophet, as reflected in many Hadiths that speak of the rewards awaiting those who do so.

Glad tidings of increased blessings upon reciting Durood

• “Whoever sends one Durood upon me (in one day), Allah blesses him tenfold. Whoever sends ten Durood, Allah bestows a hundred blessings upon him. And whoever sends a hundred Durood upon me, Allah writes between his eyes that he is free from hypocrisy and from the fire, and on the day of judgment, Allah will place him among the martyrs.” (Majma al-Zawa’id, 17298)
• “Your sending of salawat upon me will become a light for you as you pass through the darkness of the narrow bridge (sirat) on the day of judgment. Whoever desires safety that day should frequently send Durood upon me.”
• “The forehead of those interpreters and scholars (who excessively recited Durood) will be fragrant, when Allah Almighty resurrects them on the day of judgment. When they are presented before Allah, it will be said, ‘You continuously sent salutations upon My beloved Prophet. O angels, admit them to paradise.’” (Sa’adat al-Darayn)

Durood is a Source of Intercession on the Day of Judgment

For the believers, reciting salawat upon the Prophet becomes a means of intercession and mercy. As Prophet Mohammad said:

“Whoever sends Durood upon me, I will intercede for him on the day of judgment.”

• The Prophet also said, “On the day of judgment, certain people will come to my pond of abundance (Kawthar), and I will recognise them by their tireless recitation of Durood.”
• The Holy Prophet said, “Whoever sends Durood upon me ten times, Allah blesses him a hundredfold. Whoever sends it a hundred times, Allah grants him a thousand blessings. And those who increase it with love and devotion will be under my mercy and care on the day of judgement.” (Al-Qaul al-Badi’)
• “Whoever recites salawat fifty times a day, I will intercede for him on the day of judgment.”
• Sending Durood is also a means of acceptance of prayers. The Prophet said, “A person’s supplication remains suspended until he sends Durood upon me.” (Tabarani)
• “Your recitation of Durood safeguards your prayers and becomes a means of attaining the pleasure of Allah.” (Sa’adat al-Darayn)

Durood is a Source of Forgiveness of Sins

Sending salutations and Durood upon the Prophet becomes a source of the forgiveness of sins. Through it, Allah purifies the inward of a person, just as water washes away dirt from clothing. Abu Bakr narrated that reciting salawat erases sins just as water extinguishes fire.

• Prophet Mohammad also said, “Whoever repeatedly sends Durood upon me throughout his life, at the time of his death Allah commands all of His creation to pray for forgiveness.” (Nuzhat al-Majales)
• The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever, out of love and devotion for me, sends salutations upon me ten times during the day and ten times during the night, Allah will forgive the sins committed during that day and night.” (At-Targhib wa at-Tarhib)
• “Whoever writes Durood in a book, as long as my name remains in it, the angels continue to seek forgiveness for him.” (Sa’adat al-Darayn)

Durood is a Source of Purification of the Inward

Sending salutations upon the Prophet is not only a means of forgiveness of sins but also a source of inner and outward purification. As said in a Hadith:

“Everything has a means of purification, and sending Durood purifies the inward of the believers.” (Al-Qaul al-Badi’)

“Your sending Durood upon me is a purification of your deeds.” (Sa’adat al-Darayn)

Reciting salawat is obligatory upon every Muslim. Through this act, Allah elevates the ranks of the believers, increases their good deeds, and erases their sins. It also becomes a means of easing their worries, whether worldly or spiritual. In this way, a believer progresses through the stages of gnosis, drawing nearer to the heights of Divine proximity and union. This is attained when salawat is offered with sincere love and pure intention, rather than for personal gain.

Significance of Reciting Durood Sharif on Friday

Although sending salutations upon the Prophet holds excellence at all times, Friday holds a special distinction.

• “On the night of Friday (Thursday night) and the day of Friday, extensively send Durood upon me, for it is presented directly to me.” (Majma’ az-Zawaid)
• “Increase your salutations upon me on Friday, for it is a day of witnessing. The angels are present, and whoever sends Durood upon me, it is conveyed to me even before he completes it.” (Jami’ al-Saghir)
• “Repeatedly send Durood upon me on the day and night of Friday, for the one who does so will receive my intercession on the Day of judgment.” (Jami’ al-Saghir)
• “When Thursday arrives, Allah sends angels with pages of silver and pens of gold, recording the names of those who send salutations upon the Prophet on Thursday and the night of Friday.” (Sa’adat ad-Daryn)
• “Whoever sends one hundred salawat upon me on Friday will be granted a light on the day of judgment so vast that if it were distributed among all creations, it would suffice them.” (Dala’il al-Khayrat)
• “Send excessive salutations upon me on the night and day of Friday. On other days, the angels convey your Durood to me, but on these days, it reaches me directly.” (Nuzhat al-Majales)

Abdullah ibn Masud related to Sa’d ibn Wahab, “Do not abandon sending a thousand salutations upon the Prophet on Friday.”

Virtues of Durood Sharif

It is reported that Umar ibn Abdul Aziz instructed throughout his state that Fridays should be devoted to the spread of knowledge and the abundant recitation of Durood upon the Holy Prophet. Through the blessing of this practice, his governance gained remarkable strength and distinction among the states of his time.

Imam Jaffar al-Saadiq says that when Thursday arrives, at the time of afternoon salat, Allah sends angels from the heavens to the earth. They carry registers of gold and silver pens and remain on earth from Thursday afternoon until sunset on Friday, recording the names of those who recite salawat.

The rank and honour of those who enthusiastically send salutations upon the Prophet cannot be fully captured in words. Once, Abu Dharr al-Ghifari came to the Prophet’s Mosque while the angel Gabriel was present with the Holy Prophet. When Gabriel saw him, he said, “O Prophet, Abu Dharr has arrived.” The Prophet asked, “O Gabriel, do you know Abu Dharr?” He replied, “O Prophet of Allah, Abu Dharr is more well known in the heavens than on the earth. Allah loves three of his qualities: his simplicity and humility, his frequent recitation of sura Ikhlas, and his earnest recitation of salawat and praising you.”

Durood becomes a Source of Acceptance in the Divine Court

Hudhayfah ibn Yaman narrates, “Reciting Durood becomes a means of salvation for the one who recites it, as well as for his children and his grandchildren.”

In this way, sending Durood becomes a source of acceptance in the court of Allah and brings blessings into the sustenance and livelihood of the reciter’s entire progeny.

Examples of the Virtues of Durood from the life of the Companions

Once, Abu Jahl was sitting among a group of disbelievers when a poor man came seeking help. In a mocking tone, Abu Jahl told him to go to al-Haram and ask Ali ibn Abi Talib, saying that he was known for his generosity and would surely give him something.

The man went to Ali and said, “Please grant me something, for I am in need.” At that moment, Ali ibn Abi Talib had nothing to offer. Yet, through his insight, he understood that the man had been sent to mock him. He recited salawat and blew upon the man’s palm, then said, “Close your hand and open it before them.”

The man did as instructed. When he returned and opened his hand in front of the disbelievers, it was filled with gold dinars. Witnessing this, several of them accepted Islam. (Fazail-e-Durood-o-Salam)

It is narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas that he once visited Usman ibn Affan and noticed a visible joy on his face. When asked about the reason, he replied, “Last night, I was blessed with the vision of the Holy Prophet in my dream. He offered me cool water, and I drank it until I was fully satisfied. Even now, I still feel its refreshment and contentment.” I humbly asked, “What brought me such an honour.” In turn, the Prophet replied, “It is because of your recitation of Durood.” (Tohfat al-Salat)

Consequences of Neglecting Durood

While the rewards associated with sending Durood are immense, the Hadith also warn against neglecting it. The Prophet said:

• “The one who neglects to send salutations upon me has, in reality, missed the path to Paradise.” (Ibn Majah)
• “Three types of people will be deprived of my vision on the day of judgment: one who is disobedient to his parents, one who abandons my sunna, and the one in whose presence my name is mentioned yet he does not send Durood upon me.” (Al-Qaul al-Badi’)
• Abu Hurairah relates that Prophet Mohammad said: “A gathering in which Allah is not remembered and salawat is not recited upon me will become a cause of regret for its people on the day of judgment, even if they enter paradise because of their deeds.” (Ibn Hibban, 592)
• “Any meaningful act that begins without the remembrance of Allah and without sending salutations upon me is deprived of blessing and remains incomplete in goodness.” (Matali‘al-Masarrat bi Jala’ Dala’il al-Khayrat)
• Anas ibn Malik narrates that the Prophet said, “A person’s supplications are not accepted until he sends salutations upon me.” (Rawa al-Daylami)
• Umar ibn Khattab said, “Supplication remains suspended between the heavens and the earth and does not rise until salutations are sent upon the Prophet.” (Tirmidhi, 486)
• Ali ibn Abi Talib relates that Prophet Mohammad said: “The miser is the one before whom I am mentioned, yet he does not send salawat upon me.” (Tirmidhi 3546)