EXCELLENCES OF "DUROOD SHAREEF"  

Q 1: Is recitation of "Durood Shareef' proved by the Holy Qur-aan or by Hadees?  A. There are countless "Ahaadees" (Prophetic sayings) in respect of "Durood Shareef (invocation  of Allah's blessings on the Holy Prophet) and the Holy Quran says: "Innal Laaha wa Malaa ikatahoo Yu-Salloona 'Alan Nabeiy. Yaaa Aieyuhal Lazeena Aamanoo Salloo 'Alaiehi wa  Sallimoo Tasleemaa". (Undoubtedly, Allah and His Angels shower blessings on this  Communicator of unseen news (Prophet). O' you believers! invoke on him blessings profusely  and salute him in the best way). This Quranic verse clearly and concisely states:  1. Durood Shareef is greater than all Divine commands and injunctions, for, no other command  carries the wording of "Allah and His Angels do it  

and you also do so" than Durood Shareef.  

2. All Angels sans any exception send benedictions and blessings upon him.  3. This command addresses only to the believers.  
3. This command of Allah Almighty is absolute one without any exemption or exclusion that it  should be recited at such and such time and should not be recited at so and so time.  5. Whatever time Durood Shareef is recited it will be deemed to have been done in compliance to  the said command.  
4. Every time the believer recites Durood Shareef he will earn the reward of obligatory act  (Fard,Farz), as this Divine command embraces all other commands. The more he recites it the  more he gains the reward of Fard act. For instance, the recitation of only one Quranic verse is  obligatory in one Rak'at of a prayer but if the whole Quran is recited therein it will still come  under Fard and the believer will earn the reward accordingly. "Faqra-oo Maa Ta-yassara Minal  Qur-aan" (recite from the Quran as much as is easy for you) is applicable to all this.  
5. Complete Durood Shareef is only that one which contains "Salaat-o-Salaam" i.e. 'Durood and  Salaam (blessing, benediction and peace, salutation) as the Quranic verse stresses on the  recitation of both Durood and Salaam.  
6. The Holy Quran has not fixed any "Seeghah" (a particular form of words) for Durood Shareef.  So the recitation of every that "Seeghah" is lawful which combines Durood and Salaam.  9. The Quranic verse has not fixed,determined any form, gathering or sitting for the recitation of  Durood Shareef. So it can be recited in sitting or standing posture, in privacy or in public or with  public i.e. in chorus and in low voice or aloud which is a lawful, commendable and praiseworthy  act in Shari'ah.  
7. The recitation of "Salaat-o-Salaam" by the lovers and votaries of the Holy Prophet in  "Meelaad" programms,gatherings standing in chorus is also in deference to this absolute  command. To deny or oppose it is tantamount to creating new Shari'ah.  

Q 2: What does "Durood Shareef mean?  

1. "Durood Shareef is an especial honour which Allah Almighty has bestowed upon the Holy  Prophet, Saiey-yidinaa Muhammad (may Allah's choicest blessings & peace be upon him). The  religious scholars define "Al-Laa-humma Sallay 'Alaa Muhammad" as: O'Allah! grant dignity to  (Saiey-yidinaa) Muhammad by making his religion overwhelming, his preaching,teachings  dominant and his Shari'ah ever-thriving and ever-lasting in this world and by accepting his  primacy over all (the past and future communities,nations), exalting him over Apostles,  Messengers, Prophets, Angels and all creatures and by making him stand on "Maqaam-e 

Mahmood" (a praise-worthy station reserved only for the Holy Prophet) in the next world. 

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Q 3: What philosophy does Durood Shareef contain?  

1. Every Muslim knows that he has been provided with the treasure of "Eimaan" and "Irfaan"  (Islamic faith and knowledge, wisdom). The mankind was groping about in the dark of ignorance  and steeped in barbarism. The Holy Prophet enlightened him with knowledge and equipped with  humanely qualities i.e. good conduct and beautiful manners. This favour and kindness of his  demand of us to be beholden to him, to love him and keep praying to Allah Almighty for his  exaltation. This objective can be easily achieved by reciting "Durood Shareef (invoking Allah's  blessings on the Holy Prophet) which can be recited in all conditions and all time. The reciter of  Durood Shareef actually implores Allah Almighty: ". O' Allah! I am unable to thank Your  beloved Prophet for his great favours to me. You may send Your infinite blessings on him on my  behalf in this world and the world hereafter and grant him Your "Taqarrub" (nearness, proximity)  more than all other prominent ones.  

The believer who recites Durood Shareef in fact humbles himself before Allah, the Beneficent,  that he is unable to send "Salaat" (benedictions,blessings) on His Darling Elect (Saiey-yidinaa  Muhammad, may Allah's choicest blessings & peace be upon him) befitting his dignity and that  He (Allah) may send "Salaat" on the Holy Prophet on his behalf and also bless him by dint of  His Beloved Prophet.  

Q 4: On what occasion is recitation of Durood Shareef "Fard" and on which is "Waajib"?  A. Recitation of Durood Shareef once in whole life is obligatory (Fard) and on each mentioning  and hearing of the blessed name of the Holy Prophet in a sitting, gathering is essential (Waajib).  For example, if the Holy Prophet's name is mentioned or heard in a sitting, gathering a hundred  times then Durood Shareef should be recited every time. However, it is permissible to recite  Durood Shareef later if one mentioned or heard the blessed name of the Holy Prophet and could  not recite Durood Shareef the very time.  

Q 5: On which occasion or which time is recitation of Durood Shareef "Mustahab"?  A. It is "Mustahab" (commendable act) to invoke Allah's blessings on the Holy Prophet  (recitation of Durood Shareef) as profusely as one can. A companion of the Holy Prophet Hadrat  Ubaiy bin Ka'ab (may Allah be pleased with him) said, as reported in "Tirmizi Shareef, that I  told the Holy Prophet that I spend most of my time in Du'aa and sought his opinion as to how  much time of my Du'aa should I devote to Durood Shareef. The Holy Prophet emphasised to  devote as much time as I can. I suggested a quarter. He said: "whatever you wish but if you  increase it will do you good. I suggested two-thirds. He said: "whatever you wish but if you  further increase it will be better for you. Then I submitted: O' Messenger of Allah! I will devote  all my Du'aa to the recitation of Durood Shareef. Thereupon the Holy Prophet remarked: if it is  so then Allah Almighty will ease you of your difficulties and forgive you your sins.  Undoubtedly, one can not gain so many blessings and benefits from Du'aa for oneself as he earns  by reciting Durood Shareef. Invocation of Allah's blessings on the Holy Prophet is, no doubt, a  Du'aa for the Holy Prophet but actually it is for his whole Ummah because every believer is  spiritually attached to him. It is no denying the fact that one talks frequently about and speaks  high of his ideal. The Holy Prophet is the ideal of ideal ones. So his "Zikr" (renown,praise)  should surpass all others' Zikr i.e. Allah's benedictions and blessings should be invoked on him  extensively. The religious scholars have described the recitation of Durood Shareef on the  following occasions: On Jumu'ah day, at Jumu'ah night, in the morning, evening (night) when  entering a mosque, stepping out of mosque, on visiting the sacred shrine of the Holy Prophet, on  "Safaa" and "Marwah" hills (in holy Makkah), in sermon (for Imaam only), after responding to  "Azaan", on meeting and separating from each other,one another, in the beginning and end of a 

sitting,gathering, during performance of ablution, when one forgets something, on delivering  religious lecture (Wa'z), at the outset of learning,reading and teaching particularly "Ahaadees  Shareef (Prophetic sayings) should be preceded and followed by Durood Shareef, on writing a  question or "Fatvaa" (religious verdict), on writing a book, at the time of 'Nikaah" (marriage) and  engagement and when starting or undertaking a big or important work.  

Q 6: How is that for reciting Durood Shareef before "Azaan" and "Iqaamah"?  A. There is no harm in reciting Durood Shareef before Azaan and Iqaamah, for, recitation of  Durood Shareef before an important work is commendable act. Azaan and Iqaamah are also very  important works, occasions. However, Durood Shareef and Azaan or Durood Shareef and  Iqaamah should not be mingled with. There should either be an interval between them or be  recited in lower voice than Azaan and Iqaamah (to differentiate between Durood Shareef and  Azaan, Iqaamah) so that people may not take it as a part of Azaan or Iqaamah.  

The deniers of the recitation of Durood Shareef before Azaan and Iqaamah are either "Wahaabis"  or those ignorant Muslims who emulate them. If you make Muslims understand they will accept  it but the stubborn Wahaabis will not understand! How ironical it is that allout efforts are being  made to denigrate the pronounced characteristics and excellences of the Holy Prophet who is  solicitous for his bondslaves, followers (Ummatis) from the very birth until now in his hallowed  grave and obstruct the expression and dissemination of his renown, praise in one way or the  other instead of loving, venerating and praising him.  

"Walaakinnal Wahaabiyata Qaumul Laa Ya'qeloon" (but Wahaabis are shorn of the senses).  

Q.7: How is that for reciting Durood Shareef during shopping and sale?  

1. It is impermissible for a businessman to either recite Durood Shareef or "Subhaan Allah"  while showing saleable item,commodity to the customer to prove the quality of the item,  commodity so that the customer may buy that. Likewise, it is also impermissible to recite  Durood Shareef seeing an elite or leader with the intention to point out his arrival so that people  may stand in his respect and make way for him.  

Q 8: How is that for writing "Saad, Laam, 'Aien, Meem" in place of Durood Shareef?  A. One must write "Sallal Laahu 'Alaiehi Wasallam" or the like with the blessed name of the  Holy Prophet when he/she writes it. Some religious scholars maintain it to be "Waajib" (essential  act). It is impermissible and "Haraam" (unlawful) to write "Saad, Laam, 'Aien, Meem" or only  "Saad" in place of Durood Shareef or to write 'Aien, Meem or only 'Aien in lieu of 'Alaie-his Salaam. Unfortunately, this ignoble act is so common now that even some religious scholars are  also given to it. Just to save a little amount of ink or some space of paper or to save a few  seconds they deprive themselves of Divine blessings and graces.  

Imaam Jalaaluddin Siyuti has reported that the man who was first to introduce this abbreviation  of Durood Shareef had his hand amputated. Similarly, writing "Qaaf in place of "Quddisa  Sirruhoo" or "Raa Haa" in lieu of "Rahmatul Laah Ta'laa 'Alaieh" is an idiocy and is to deprive  one of blessings. Such nonsense should be avoided.  

Q 9: How does the Holy Prophet respond to our "Salaam"?  

1. The Holy Prophet himself said that when any of my Ummatis says or sends "Salaam" to me,  Allah Almighty returns my soul which is "Mustaghraq" and "Mushghool" (absorbed and 

 

engaged) in Him (Allah) to respond to his Salaam. A Hadees says: "I myself hear "Salaam" of  my lovers and votaries and also recognise them and of others' the Angels convey to me".  

Q10: How is that for reciting Durood Shareef aloud?  

1. The Holy Prophet is reported (in an Hadees) to have said: "whoever recites Durood Shareef  aloud, the Angels send "Durood" on him loudly in the heavens after his death. It has also been  reported in the same Hadees that Imaam Nawavi has described the aloud recitation of Durood  Shareef as "Mustahab". Allama Khateeb Baghdadi and other Ulama have also endorsed his view.  

Q11: What injunction is there about joint recitation of Durood Shareef in chorus?  A. Recitation of Durood Shareef by people all together as Muslims commonly recite "Ayat-e Kareemah" followed by Durood Shareef after "Du'aa" of obligatory prayer or recite "Salaat-o Salaam" in "Meelaad" programmes in soft voice or loudly is undoubtedly lawful. It has been  narrated by the Holy Prophet's companions that a pure fragrance emanates from the meeting,  sitting in which Allah's blessings are invoked on the Holy Prophet which rises higher and higher.  When it reaches heavens the Angels say it is the fragrance of that gathering and meeting, sitting  in which Durood Shareef was recited. There is a tradition in Muslim and Tirmizi that when a  party, group of people busy themselves in remembrance of Allah, the Angels surround that  meeting/gathering, mercy cover them, "Sakeenah" (peace,satisfaction) descend on them and  Allah Almighty remembers them among those who are with Him i.e. Angels. Every believer  knows well that the "Zikr" of the Holy Prophet but of all the Prophets and Saints is, in fact, Zikr  of Allah as they all are the Prophets and Saints of Allah. And about the Holy Prophet, Allah  Almighty said: "I have made you a part of My Zikr. Whoever praises you he actually praises  Me." So the Zikr of the Holy Prophet is the Zikr of Allah, indeed. The love of the Holy Prophet  is real "Eimaan", nay, the soul of Islamic faith.  

Q12: Please explain some Ahaadees in regard to excellences of Durood Shareef?  A. It is beyond human attainment and reach to explain innumerable excellences, greatness and  graces of invocation of Allah's blessings on the Holy Prophet (recitation of Durood Shareef);  suffice it to say that sending of blessings and graces by Allah, the Most Transcendent, on the  peerless Prophet, Saiey-yidinaa Muhammad (may Allah's choicest blessings & peace be upon  him) is the ample proof of the greatness of recitation of Durood Shareef. However, some  Ahaadees in this context are propounded here. The Holy Prophet said:  

1. Whoever invokes Allah's blessings on me once Allah grants him ten blessings.  2. Whoever recites Durood Shareef once Allah Almighty will grant him ten blessings, remit ten  sins from him and raise his ten degrees.  
2. .Nearest me on the Doomsday would be that believer who invoked most blessings on me  (heart and soul).  
3. When one recites Durood Shareef, the Angels send blessings on and keep doing so as long as  he remains busy in it. Now it is upto him he may invoke more blessings on me or less.  5. If one writes the blessed name of the Holy Prophet, the Angels will continue sending blessings  on him so long as it remains intact in the book. Another Hadees says that the Angels will keep  praying for his absolution and emancipation and the one upon whom the Angels send blessings  will definitely be entered into paradise.  
4. Groups of believers will throng to my "Haud-e-Kauser" (an exclusive heavenly body of water)  and I will recognise them by their profuse invocation of Allah's blessings on me in their lifetime.  7. The one who recites Durood Shareef in great numbers will be delivered earlier from the trials  and tribulations of the Doomsday. 

 

8. The believer who recites Durood Shareef a hundred times on Friday will be forgiven his  eighty years' sins.  
9. Recite Durood Shareef in large number as it is "Zakaat" for you meaning it is a means of your  welfare and emancipation.  
10. If one faces any hardship, difficulty he should invoke Allah's blessings on me extensively.  His all difficulties and sufferings will, by the grace of Durood Shareef, be removed, his  subsistance, livelihood blessed and all his needs met.  
11. Whoever invokes Allah's blessings on me ten times every morning and evening (night), I will  intercede for him on the Doomsday.  

Briefly, Durood Shareef is a certain source of absolution, forgiveness, blessings, peace,  prosperity and felicity in this world and the world hereafter. The time spent in invoking Allah's  blessings on the Holy Prophet brings temporal as well as spiritual benefits to the reciter and the  time spent in obliviousness to it is nothing but misfortune.  

O' bondslave of the Messenger of Allah! be agile and voracious and fervently collect this great  bounty and favour of Allah. Showing slackness and meanness in invoking Allah's blessings on  the Holy Prophet is misfortune. A Hadees says: he is the big meanie before whom my name is  mentioned but he does not recite Durood Shareef. "Sallal Laahu 'Alan Nabeiy-yil Ummei-yee wa  Aalehee Sallal Laahu 'Alaiehi wa Sallam Salaataoon wa Salaaman 'Alaieka Yaa Rasoolal Laah".