Have you ever wondered why we frequently send salawat (prayers and blessings) upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)? We may not fully grasp the spiritual rank of our beloved Prophet, especially what he experienced on the night of Mi’raj, his divine journey. It’s a mystery beyond human comprehension, one that words fail to capture fully. Yet, we send these prayers and blessings, or salawat, continuously in an attempt to honor his unique station.
Salawat, fundamentally, means “prayer.” But to whom do we pray? We pray for those in need, right? Here’s the paradox: does the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) need our prayers? Why do we keep invoking blessings upon him if he is already the beloved of Allah?
The answer lies in a deeper understanding. Though the Prophet has no need of our prayers for his own sake, he is profoundly connected with the well-being of his followers. He cares for each and every one of us, his entire ummah, so deeply that he desires our happiness, our success, and our salvation. His compassion extends to such an extent that he ardently wants us to be content in Paradise. The Quran describes him as “harisun alaykum” (intensely concerned for you), which signifies his profound care for our welfare.
So, when we send salawat, we are, in fact, acknowledging his special connection to us, his continuous concern for our well-being. Our salawat, in a way, strengthens this bond. And though he has no personal need for our prayers, his encompassing love and intercession for us means that the blessings we ask upon him ultimately return to benefit us.
Consider a mother’s immense love and worry for her child. Her concern isn’t for herself but rather out of love and an overwhelming need to know her child is safe, content, and healthy. Similarly, our salawat is like sending a message of gratitude, reaffirming our loyalty and love for the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), and in doing so, renewing our bond with him as his followers. This act of devotion—reaffirming him as our leader—is expressed through salawat.
In a way, salawat expands the circle of the Prophet’s compassion, making it a means for us to benefit from his blessings. This circle includes all his followers, with each invocation connecting us more deeply to him. Just as a citizen might pray for the prosperity of their nation, knowing that the nation’s strength and stability directly affect their own well-being, we pray for the Prophet’s rank and blessings to be exalted. And when we do, we too become part of that blessed sphere.
Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) prayers for us are like a shield. For example, when Allah reduced the fifty daily prayers to five during the Mi’raj, it was due to the Prophet’s deep concern for us. He wanted our burdens to be lightened, and his continuous prayers offer us protection.
Let’s remember that his intercession awaits us in the Hereafter. A hadith tells us that each prophet was granted a unique prayer to be fulfilled. Our Prophet (pbuh), however, saved his prayer as a means to intercede for his ummah on Judgment Day. Each time we send blessings upon him, it is like strengthening our plea for his intercession, our hope to be under his care on that difficult day.
The Quran says, “Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace.” So, with every salawat, we align ourselves with Allah and the angels in honoring our beloved Prophet.
Salawat thus isn’t just a prayer; it’s a reaffirmation of our connection to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), who taught us everything we know of worship, prayer, and salvation. He is our leader, the “Mercy to the worlds,” through whom Allah’s mercy reaches us. And when we pray for him, we are indirectly praying for ourselves—for guidance, blessings, and safety. In a world full of challenges and uncertainties, this circle of compassion and intercession is a blessing that we all need.