A. THE EXCELLENCE OF DUROOD SHAREEF FOR THE UMMAH AS EXPLAINED IN THE HOLY QURAN AND AHADITH

This book contains valuable information about Durood Shareef (Salawat)
on Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim).
The message of Allah Ta'ala to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu
Alaihi Wasallim) has come down to us in the form of the Holy Quran and
the teachings of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim)
have reached us in the form of the Ahadith. Let us see what both the
Holy Quran and Ahadith say about Durood Shareef (Salawat):
Innal llaha wa Malaa'ikatahu Yu sallunaallan nabiyi.
Ya Ayyuhal lazeena aamanu sallu alaihi wasallimu tasleema.
Almighty Allah says:"Surely Allah and His Angels send blessings on the
Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim). Oyou who believe! Send
Blessings (Durood) and Salutations (Salaams) on the Prophet with
worthySalutation".(Surah al-Ahzab: 56)
In this verse of the Holy Quran, Almighty Allah, His Malaa'ikah and
the Muslims have been mentioned as sending Durood upon Sayyiduna
Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim). So, Durood Shareef is
actually "a Du'a in praiseof the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallal
LaahuAlaihi Wasallim)."
Hazrat Anas (radi Allahu anhu) narrates that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah
(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) said: "He who reads a single Durood
upon me, Almighty Allah blesses him ten times, ten of his sins are
forgiven, and he is increased ten times in stages (internally).
(Mishkaat)
Hazrat Abdullah ibn Ma'sud (radi Allahu anhu) also narrates that
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) said: "On the Day
of Qiyamah, the closest to me from among the people will be those who
have read the most amount of Durood Shareef". (Tirmidhi)
It is now evident that the recitation of Durood Shareef (Salawat) is
in perfect obedience to theDivine Command and in complete conformity
with the teachings of Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim)
ofIslam. There is no scope to choose anything else when we have with
us the words of Allah Ta'ala and His Apostle, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah
(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim).