Sallallahu’Alaihi Wasallam, Not Saw

[ummtaalib]

There is certain etiquette that applies when we take the names of our predecessors.

 

These are Great leaders in deen, and they deserve a certain amount of respect. Many have the habit of merely sufficing on abbreviations like: “r.a.” or “a.s.” Even worse is the use of the “s.a.w.” acronym!

 

The Greatest human on earth deserves more respect than that.

 

To suffice on an abbreviation instead of the entire “sallallahu’alaihi wasallam” is Makruh (offensive) according the scholars of Hadith. (Ibnus Salah, pg.189 & Tadribur Rawi, vol.2 pg.22)

 

There were several painful consequences for those who wanted to save ink! (refer Al-Qawlul Badi’, pg. 494)

In our modern era, its takes no time or energy to type out the entire “sallallahu’alaihi wasallam” or “radiyallahu’anhu” or “rahimahullah” or “’alahis salam”

 

One could even utilise the keyboard shortcuts for this. The point is to type it in full.

The Muhaddithun have encouraged writers to write the entire “sallallahu’alaihi wasallam” as well as pronounce it verbally as they write it. (Tadribur Rawi, vol.2 Pg.20, Al-Qawlul Badi’, pg.495)

 

By the writer using or abstaining from such acronyms, the readers also learn to follow suite…

 

Un-Matched Benefit

 

The famed Tabi’e, Ja’far as-Sadiq (rahimahullah) said:

“The angels continue to send salutation for the one who writes salutations upon Rasulullah (sallallahu’alaihi wasallam) for as long as that ink remains on the paper.”

(verified by Ibnul Qayyim in Jila-ul Afham, pg.56. Also see: Al-Qawlul Badi’, pg.484 & Tadribur Rawi, vol.2 pg.19)

 

Sufyan Thawri (rahimahullah) -the famed Mujtahid- says:

“It is sufficient a benefit for those engaged in Hadith; that they continue to receive salutations themselves for as long as the “sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam” remains written on that paper.”

(Al-Qawlul Badi’, pg.485)

 

A Motivational Incident

‘Allamah Sakhawi (rahimahullah) has cited numerous anecdotes on the above from several Muhaddithun. (Al-Qawlul Badi’, pgs.486-495. Also see Ibnul Qayyim’s (rahimahullah) Jila-ul Afham, pg.56)

Among them is the following:

 

The son of ‘Allamah Mundhiri; Shaykh Muhammad ibnul Mundhiri (rahimahumallah) was seen in a dream after his demise. He said: I have entered Jannah and kissed the blessed hand of Rasulullah –sallallahu’alaihi wasallam- and he told me: “Anyone who writes with his hands: “Rasulullah -sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam- has said” will be with me in Jannah.”

 

‘Allamah Sakhawi (rahimahullah) says: “This is reported with a sahih (authentic) chain. We hope from Allah’s grace that He grants us that virtue.” (Al-Qawlul Badi’, pg.487)

Ameen.

 

Another Appeal

Some of us have the habit of only saying: “alaihis Salam” when taking the name of Rasulullah (sallallahu’alaihi wasallam)

 

The ‘Ulama have ruled it as “not good” to make a habit of this. (Fathul Mughith; see footnotes on Al-Qawlul Badi’, pg.158)

 

In fact Hafidh Ibnus Salah & ‘Allamah Nawawi (rahimahumallah) have declared it as makruh (offensive) (Muqaddimah Ibnus Salah, pg.189-190, Sharh-Sahih Muslim, pg.2 & Taqrib ma’at Tadrib, vol.2 pg.22)

 

The same would apply if one were to only say: “alaihis Salat” (salutations be upon him)

 

The reason for this is that we are instructed in the Quran to send both; Salat (salutation) & Salam (peace) upon Rasulullah (sallallahu’alaihi wasallam). (Surah:33, Ayah:56)

 

By saying: “alaihis Salam” we are only sending “Salam” (peace) and no “Salat (salutation)!

If one has the habit of saying: ‘alaihis Salam (peace be upon him) sometimes and on other occasions: ‘alaihis Salat (salutations be upon him) it would not be makruh.

 

Lets go all the way and write it in full everytime we take the name of our Beloved (sallallahu’alaihi wasallam)

May Allah Ta’ala bless us all.

al-miftah

[Rochdi]

Jazaki Allah Khayer Sister!

[AishaZaynap]

This is very interesting indead. JazakAllahu Khayran. Learned something new.