Sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ:
Anas bin Malik said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever sends salah upon me once, Allah (SWT) will send salah upon him tenfold, and will erase ten sins from him, and will raise him ten degrees in status.”
Sahih (Darussalam)
Sunan an-Nasa’i 1297
Salah – The key to Jannah:
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (51:56)
Worshiping Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is the key to paradise. The prayer is the single most important act in our lives. It is the second pillar of Islam after the Shahada.
But note worshipping can be extended to anything done in the cause of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) seeking His approval by upholding actions beloved by Him. Loving others for the sake of Allah, donating to His cause, and/or forgiving or maintaining ties in His name.
الٓمٓ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبُ لَا رَيۡبَۛ فِيهِۛ هُدٗى لِّلۡمُتَّقِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ
Alif, Lam, Meem. Zaalikal Kitaabu laa raiba feeh; hudal lilmuttaqeen. Allazeena yu’minoona bilghaibi wa yuqeemoonas salaata wa mimmaa razaqnaahum yunfiqoon
Alif, Lam, Meem. This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah – Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them, (2:1-3).
These verses are very instructive.
It describes the lilmuttaqeen, the ones who are conscious of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ are the people of taqwa. They are those who believe in the unseen – i.e., Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ, His angels, His Prophets, and the day of Judgement. This belief leads them to the following action of establishing the prayer.
With the salah, there’s an aspect of the individual spiritual benefit that the person feels when fulfilling their religious obligation. It brings one closer to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) and the promise of Jannah. It allows the heart to soften and fill itself up with gratitude. Then there’s the communal benefit when praying in a congregation — the feeling of unity and connectedness.
Sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ
In the hadith, we are told the love Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) has for His Messenger and how he will multiply the reward of the salah and honor those who honor His Messenger.
If we show the presence of mind to our salah, we can deeply appreciate the privilege Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) has given us with the daily prayer. When the heart understands the words they are reciting, the significance of their meaning, and the rewards it contains, we realize the salah is an act that emanates from love and gratitude.
“Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace.” (33:56)
By remembering the Prophet ﷺ in our prayers, we are reminded of the sacrifice taken to deliver the message. The battles, ridicule, and hate He (ﷺ) had to endure for the message to reach every corner of the earth. We stand as Muslims because of the sacrifice many have made to make being a Muslim today easy.
“Salah is a powerful medicine that prevents the soul from becoming sick and diseased. You need this medicine 5 times a day.” – Dr. Zakir Naik
