Is It Necessary to Send Blessings on the Prophet?

Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch

Question

Is it mandatory to send blessings upon the Prophet whenever I get any thought or mention of the Prophet in my head? Sometimes, I get his name in my head throughout the day and send blessings. But sometimes, even when I go to sleep, I get Prophet’s name mentioned after closing my eyes and wanting to sleep. Then I open my eyes and send blessings. A few moments ago, I took a nap, but I barely could; I kept getting his name mentioned in my head. What should I do about this? And also, what should be done in general whenever we think of our Prophet or get his name mentioned in our head?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

ّSending blessings on the Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) takes on various rulings in the Hanafi school – obligatory, necessary, and recommended – based on the circumstance.   [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

Obligation (Fard) of Sending Blessings

Every Muslim must send blessings on the Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) once in their lifetime. This is out of obedience to Allah’s command in the Qur’an [Ibid.]

“Indeed, Allah showers His blessings upon the Prophet, and His angels pray for him. O, believers! Invoke Allah’s blessings upon him, and salute him with worthy greetings of peace.” [Qur’an; 33:56]

Necessity (Wajib) of Sending Blessings

It is necessary to send blessings on the Prophet once in each gathering that his blessed name is audibly mentioned. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

The exception to this ruling is if there is an Islamically recognized excuse preventing one from sending blessings on the Prophet, such as if one is in prayer or using the restroom. [Ibid.]

Repeating Mention of His Blessed Name

It is not obligatory to repeat the sending of blessings if the blessed name of the Prophet is repeated, although it is recommended. [Ibid.]

It is unnecessary to send blessings on the Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) just by thinking of his blessed name. [Ibid.]

Recommended: Sending Abundant Blessings

It is recommended to send blessings on the Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) abundantly, especially if his name is mentioned by one or in one’s presence. [Ibid.]

The exception to this will be if one is legally unable to send blessings for Islamically recognized reasons, such as being in prayer, reciting the Qur’an, calling the call to prayer, etc… [Ibid.]

The Virtues of Sending Blessings of the Prophet

Despite the obligation of sending blessings on the Prophet being limited to once per gathering, one is still encouraged to send abundant blessings on the Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace). [Ibid.]

Many narrations indicate immense blessings for the one who sends blessings on the Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) even once, let alone abundantly. We will suffice with one narration. [Ibid.]

Ubay bin K’ab (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that a man said, “O Messenger of Allah! I have a lot of time to send blessings upon you. How much should I do?” He replied, “As much as you wish.” The man replied, “I will do 1/4th.” The Prophet said, “As you wish, but if you were to increase, it would be better for you.” The man said, “I will do 1/2.” The Prophet said, “As you wish, but if you were to increase, it would be better for you.” The man said, “I will do 2/3rds.” The Prophet said, “As you wish, but if you were to increase, it would be better for you.” The man said, “I will take all my time to send blessings upon you.” The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “In that case, you will be sufficed of all your worries and all your sins will be expiated for.” [Tirmidhi]

Hope this helps
Allah knows best

[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic history, and a number of texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.