Just as we shower loved ones with gifts and words of affection during special moments, Rabi-ul-Awwal is a time to send abundant salutations upon Rasulullah (SAW) as an expression of gratitude, love and adoration.
by SALEEMAH JAFFER
Rabi-ul-Awwal is finally here, and for the lovers of Rasulullah (peace and blessings be upon him), it is a time of great joy and celebration as we mark not only the honourable birth of the best of creation, but the genesis of compassion and mercy to all the worlds.
Many of our honourable scholars and pious predecessors have shown, both through their words and actions, that this is a month for increasing salawaat (blessings upon the Prophet). Just as we shower loved ones with gifts and words of affection during special moments, Rabi-ul-Awwal is a time to send abundant salutations upon Rasulullah (SAW) as an expression of gratitude, love and adoration.
In Surah Ahzab, verse 56, Allah ta’ala says: ‘Allah and His Angels send blessings on the Prophet. O you who believe, send blessings on him and greet him with peace.’ This is a clear indication for us that, as believers, salawaat must be a part of our daily lives. The most authentic form of salutations upon Rasulullah (SAW) is Durood Ebrahim, which every Muslim recites in their daily prayers.
According to Imam Nawawi in his Kitab al-Adhkaar, the hadith mentioning the merit and importance of reciting salawaat are too numerous to be counted. There are hadith where it is mentioned that for every salutation upon Rasulullah (SAW), Allah ta’ala will send down ten blessings. There is another narration where Rasulullah (SAW) said that on the Day of Judgment those closest to him will be the ones who sent the most salutations and blessings upon him (SAW).
A hadith that holds a particularly special place in my heart is narrated by Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (RA) in Tirmidhi, Bayhaqi, and others, where he said: I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah… how much of my dua should be sending blessings upon you?’ He said: ‘Whatever you wish.’ I said: ‘One quarter?’ He said: ‘Whatever you wish, and if you do more, that will be better for you.’ I said: ‘One half?’ He said: ‘Whatever you wish, and if you do more, that will be better for you.’ I said: ‘Two-thirds?’ He said: ‘Whatever you wish, and if you do more, that will be better for you.’ I said: ‘I will make all of my dua (sending blessings) for you.’ He said: ‘Then your concerns will be taken care of, and your sins will be forgiven.’
My teacher, Shaikh Muhammad al-Ninowy, narrated a story where a man came up to him, asking for the secret of salawaat and to share with him the most special salawaat of them all. Shaikh Muhammad responded to the man, saying: ‘The biggest secret of salawaat is that there are no secrets. Rasulullah (SAW) told us all the benefits and blessings of doing salawaat, and he showed us exactly how to do it.’ In a more recent conversation, Shaikh Muhammad explained: ‘Rasulullah (SAW) is more keen on our benefit – individually and collectively – and he is more loving and merciful upon us than any and all of us are upon ourselves and each other. Hence, he – may my soul be sacrificed for him – never hid anything, but gave us everything. The secret is the practice of his instructions with LOVE.
- Saleemah Jaffer is a student of the Alawi Husayni Ninowi Zawiyah.
