The Importance of Sending Blessings upon Prophet Muhammad SAW

One of the matters which we Muslims overlook or not implement it as much in our lives is to get in the habit of sending blessings on our prophet Muhammad

(SallaAllahWasallam). This matter is of so much importance that in Quran Allah declares doing so Himself along with the angels and then instructs the Muslims to do the same.

In Quran, Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Allah sends His Salaah (Graces, Blessings, Mercy) on the Prophet (Muhammad), and also His angels (Angels ask Allah to bless and forgive him). O you who believe! end your Salah on (ask Allaah to bless) him (Muhammad), and greet him with the Islamic way of greeting (salutation, i.e. As?Salaamu ‘Alaykum)” [Quran: al-Ahzaab 33:56]

Sending blessings on the prophet is so vital that in one of the hadeeth, acceptance of our Dua is made dependant on it. According to a hadith by ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him) who said:

Dua is suspended between heaven and earth and none of it is taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).” (Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi).

Another hadith takes this topic further in that it advises believers to include as much blessings on the Prophet (SAW) part of our dua. It was narrated (in part of the hadith) that Ubayy ibn Ka’b said:

I said: O Messenger of Allah, I send blessings upon you a great deal; how much of my prayer (dua) should be for you? He said: “Whatever you wish.”

I said: One quarter? He said: “Whatever you wish, and if you do more it is better for you.”

I said: Half? He said: “Whatever you wish, and if you do more it is better for you.”

I said: Two thirds? He said: “Whatever you wish, and if you do more it is better for you.”

I said: Should I make all my du’aa’ for you? He said: “Then your concerns will be taken care of and your sins will be forgiven.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (2457); classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.

About the above hadith, Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said in Jala’ al-Afhaam (79): Our Shaykh Abu ‘Abbaas (i.e., Ibn Taymiyah) was asked about the meaning of this hadeeth. He said: Ubayy ibn Ka’b had a dua that he used to say for himself, and he asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) whether he should make one-quarter of it sending blessings on him, and he said … because whoever sends blessings on the Prophet, Allah will send blessings on him tenfold, and if Allah sends blessings on a person He will take care of his concerns and forgive him his sins.

In another hadith by Al-Tirmidhi (484) narrated from ‘Abd-Allah ibn Mas’ood that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

The closest of people to me on the Day of Resurrection will be those who send the most blessings on me.” [Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb.]

In summary, we should send our salutations to the prophet (SAW) whenever possible or whenever we hear his name mentioned. Let’s remember that Allah Himself does that along with the angels too.

The importance and benefits of reciting Surah Mulk

This is one of my favorite surah's, Surah Mulk (The Dominion 67). The reciter is Abdur Rahman Al Sudais:

Here are some benefits of reciting Surah Mulk:

The Prophet Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam said, ‘There is a surah in the Qur’an which is only thirty verses. It defended whoever recited it until it puts him into paradise’ i.e. Surah al Mulk

[Fath al Qadir 5/257, Sahihul Jamiea 1/680, Tabrani in Al-Awsat & Ibn Mardawaith]

Abu Huraira (Radiallahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam said, “The Qur’an contains a surah of thirty ayats which will intercede for a man until he is forgiven. It is: ‘Blessed be He who has the Kingdom in His Hand!’ (67)”

[abu Dawud, Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi, Riyad as-Salihin by Imam an-Nawawi Ch.183 #1016]

The Prophet Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam said, ‘Surah al Mulk is the protector from the torment of the grave’

[Sahihul Jamiea 1/680, Hakim 2/498 & Nasai]

Jabir (Radiallahu anhu) said it was the custom of the Prophet Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam not to go to sleep until he had read Tabarakalladhi Biyadihil Mulk and Alif Laam Meem Tanzeel.

[Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Darami]

Anas (Radiallahu anhu) reported Rasulullah Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam as saying, “There is a Surah which will plead for its reciter till it causes him to enter paradise.”

[at-Tabrani]

Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (Radiallahu anhu) reported that the Prophet Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam said, ‘It is my desire/love that Surahtul Mulk should be in the heart of every Muslim’

[Hakim, al-Hisnul Haseen by the cassical scholar Muhammad al-Jazri]

Ibn Abbas (Radiallau anhu) said that one of the Prophet’s Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam companions set up his tent over a grave without realising that it was a grave and it contained a man who was reciting the Surah Tabarakallahi Biyadihil Mulk up to the end. He went and told the Prophet who said, ‘It is The Defender; it is The Protector which safeguards from Allah Ta’ala’s punishment’

[at-Tirmidhi]

Khalid bin Madam (tabie) said about surat Al Mulk and ‘As Sajda that these two surahs will fight for their reciter in the grave and will say, ‘O Allah! If we belong to your book, accept our intercession in his favour. In case we do not, get us obliterated. These surahs will spread their wings like birds and will save the person from the torment of the grave.’

[Mishkat al-Misbah]

It was narrated that Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (Radiallahu anhu) said: Whoever reads Tabarakallahi Biyadihil Mulk [i.e. Surah al-Mulk] every night, Allah will protect him from the torment of the grave. At the time of the Messenger of Allah we used to call it al-mani’ah (that which protects). In the Book of Allah it is a surah which, whoever recites it every night has done very well.

[an-Nasa’i]