How loyal are we to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?

Assalamu ‘alaykum wa rahmat Allahi wa barakatuh,

How loyal are we to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?

We often express gratitude when someone benefits us, whether it’s a doctor who treats an illness or a friend who offers sincere advice. Yet, in reflecting on these gestures of thanks, we tend to overlook the greatest source of blessings and mercy for all of mankind: our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Sent by Allah as the final guide for humanity, his sacrifices and tears for our Ummah are an eternal testament to his love and concern for us.

In acknowledging this immense favour, our faith calls us to regularly invoke blessings upon him ﷺ. This act is more than a recommended act or gesture of goodwill; it reflects our deep loyalty and gratitude for the countless blessings Allah Most High has bestowed upon us through him. 

The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘Whoever sends one blessing upon me, Allah will send ten blessings upon him’ (Muslim). Even when done with self-interest, the act remains highly beneficial, as Abu Muhammad al-Marjani mentioned: ‘Your invoking blessings upon him is, in reality, praying for yourself, as the benefits come back to you’ (Al-Qawl al-Badi’ fi l-Salat ‘ala ‘l-Habib al-Shafi’ 83).

Moreover, invoking blessings on the Prophet ﷺ nurtures a profound love for him in our hearts, a love that is essential to the completeness of our faith. As our remembrance of him increases, so too does our longing and admiration, until it encompasses our hearts entirely. The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘A person will be with whom he loves,’ i.e., he will be gathered with them on the Day of Judgement (Bukhari).

‘Salat and Salam: In Praise of Allah’s Most Beloved’ quotes several other benefits a person who invokes blessings on the Prophet ﷺ receives, such as:

• It provides assistance against enemies

• A qirat (equivalent to Mount Uhud) of reward is allocated to him

• The individual’s wrongdoings are forgiven, his good deeds are increased and purified, and his status elevated

• He will be honoured at the Prophet’s watering place (hawd) and protected from thirst on the Day of Judgement

• He will be protected from the wrath of Allah and gain a place in the shade of the Throne of Allah

Let us commit to this practice, invoking blessings with sincerity and regularity, and may Allah unite us with the Prophet ﷺ in Jannah.

Wassalam

Munibah

PS - Don’t worry if you struggle with Arabic, this short manual is set out in vowelled Arabic script, with English translation and transliteration for ease of use.