Sending Durood — also known as Salawat — upon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a beautiful act of worship and remembrance. It is an expression of our love and respect for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and it is something Allah Himself commands believers to do in the Qur'an.
Whether recited during Salah, after hearing the Prophet's ﷺ name, on Friday, or during our daily routine, sending peace and blessings upon him is a simple act with immense reward.
Allah Commands Us to Send Blessings Upon the Prophet ﷺ
Allah says in Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 56:
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا
Meaning:
Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O believers! Invoke Allah's blessings upon him and salute him with worthy greetings of peace.
This verse alone demonstrates the special status of sending Salawat upon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Allah calls upon the believers themselves to participate in this beautiful act of remembrance.
The Reward for Sending Durood
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught us about the tremendous reward attached to this simple act.
Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that whoever sends blessings upon him once, Allah sends blessings upon that person ten times.
Imagine that: a few sincere words of Salawat can become a source of immense reward from Allah.
It reminds us that acts of worship do not always need to be lengthy or difficult. Sometimes a small deed, performed sincerely and consistently, carries extraordinary blessings.
Durood-e-Ibrahimi
One of the most well-known forms of Salawat is Durood-e-Ibrahimi, which Muslims recite during Salah.
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Transliteration:
Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama sallaita 'ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta 'ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid.
Meaning:
O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.
This wording is authentically reported from the Prophet ﷺ in Sahih Muslim 406a.
A Special Reminder for Friday
Friday holds a special place in Islam, and the Prophet ﷺ specifically encouraged Muslims to increase their Salawat upon him on this day.
In a hadith narrated by Aws ibn Aws (رضي الله عنه), the Prophet ﷺ described Friday as among the best of our days and instructed Muslims to send abundant blessings upon him on Friday.
— Sunan Abi Dawud 1047, graded Sahih in the cited edition.
This makes Friday a wonderful opportunity to consciously increase our Durood throughout the day.
Making Durood Part of Everyday Life
Sending Salawat does not need to be limited to Friday.
We can remember the Prophet ﷺ throughout our ordinary day — after Salah, after hearing the Adhan, while travelling, during quiet moments, or whenever we remember him ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ also instructed Muslims to send Salawat upon him after responding to the words of the Mu'adhdhin. Sahih Muslim 384 records this instruction and again mentions the tenfold blessing from Allah for the one who sends a blessing upon the Prophet ﷺ.
The goal is not simply to count words. It is to cultivate remembrance, sincerity and love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and to follow his teachings in our lives.
A Simple Reminder
Our days can become incredibly busy. Work, family, responsibilities and distractions can occupy almost every moment.
Yet Durood requires only a few seconds.
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَى نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ
Allahumma salli wa sallim 'ala nabiyyina Muhammad.
O Allah, send Your peace and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
May Allah fill our hearts with love for His Messenger ﷺ, help us follow his Sunnah, and make us among those who frequently send peace and blessings upon him.
Ameen.