Salawat means asking God to send His blessings on the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The Qur’an commands it, and the Prophet ﷺ taught the exact words. It is one of the core forms of remembrance in our guide to dhikr in Islam.
Transliterations are standard romanisations; the English meanings are our own wording.
Quick answer
Short answer: God and His angels send blessings on the Prophet, and believers are told to do the same (33:56). The fullest wording is the Ibrahimi salawat (Bukhari 3370). Whoever sends one salawat receives ten blessings from God (Muslim 408), and the Prophet ﷺ asked for more of it on Friday (Abu Dawud 1047).
The command in the Qur’an
In meaning (our own paraphrase): God and His angels send blessings on the Prophet. O you who believe, send blessings on him and greet him with a full greeting of peace (33:56).
The Ibrahimi salawat
Ka’b ibn ‘Ujra reported that the Companions asked the Prophet ﷺ how to send blessings on him, since they had already been taught how to greet him. He told them to say (Bukhari 3370):
Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid.
In meaning: O God, send Your blessings on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings on Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim; You are Praiseworthy, Glorious. O God, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim; You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.
Notice how the Companions asked: they wanted the exact words, not their own. The Prophet ﷺ answered with a precise wording. It is commonly recited in the tashahhud of the prayer, and can also be said at any time.
Note
Another authentic wording, from Abu Humayd al-Sa’idi, mentions the Prophet’s wives and descendants in place of “the family of Muhammad” (Bukhari 3369). Both are taught in Sahih al-Bukhari.
The short form
In everyday speech, when the Prophet’s name is mentioned, Muslims say sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam: may God bless him and grant him peace. The verse itself uses both words: sallu (send blessings) and sallimu (greet with peace) (33:56).
One for ten
Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, in meaning: whoever sends one blessing on me, God sends ten blessings on him (Muslim 408).
At a glance
- Command: 33:56.
- Fullest wording: the Ibrahimi salawat (Bukhari 3370).
- Reward: ten blessings from God for each one (Muslim 408).
- Special day: Friday (Abu Dawud 1047; Sahih (al-Albani)).
More on Friday
Aws ibn Aws reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, in meaning: among the best of your days is Friday, so send many blessings on me on that day, for your blessings are presented to me (Abu Dawud 1047; Sahih (al-Albani)). A later guide in this series will cover the rest of Friday’s remembrances.
| Short form | Ibrahimi salawat | |
|---|---|---|
| Wording | Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam | Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad… |
| Best for | When his name is mentioned | Prayer, and set times of dhikr |
| Source | Common practice when his name is mentioned | Bukhari 3370 |
Making it a habit
A simple routine
1
Say it in the tashahhud of each prayer, as is common practice.
2
Say sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam whenever you say or hear his name.
3
Add a set of salawat to your morning or evening adhkar.
4
On Friday, increase it throughout the day.
Keep going
Read La ilaha illallah and the live morning and evening adhkar next; a later guide will cover dhikr on Friday. For the whole picture, return to our complete guide to dhikr.
This is general education, not a religious ruling. Ask a qualified scholar about specific practices.