Islamic Articles, - Detailed Ruling on Writing S.A.W

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We have been exploring around Internet and found many websites and articles where people are doing a great mistake and disrespect in their ignorance. They use the Abbreviation of Durood Sharif i.e. SAW, PBUH, RA, AS (ma'azALLAH) instead of writing the complete Durood and Salam. Abbreviating the Salutation with Suad (ص), Sal'am (صلعم) and etc. is strictly forbidden. In this century, leaving aside the ordinary person, even the so-called "learned" and "intellectuals" are guilty of such. Some people, in place of SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم), write Sal'am (صلعم) or just Suad (ص) to save a drop of Ink, fraction of paper or a second of time, people are depriving themselves in reaping great excellence and reward. They have instead chosen misfortune.
Imam al-Nawawi, the great Muhaddith and Shafi’i Faqih (Allah have mercy on him) states in his introduction to the commentary of Sahih Muslim:
“It is praiseworthy (mustahab) for a person writing Hadith that…..at the mentioning of the Messenger of Allah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam), he writes “SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam” in full and not merely using abbreviations, and neither sufficing on one of the two, i.e. Salat & Salam.”[Sharh Sahih Muslim, Vol. 1, Page 39]
Thus, when one writes the name of the Messenger of Allah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam), one should avoid using abbreviations such as SAW, PBUH or something similar. It is inappropriate and disrespectful to do so. The love for the Messenger of Allah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) requires that one never tires, both verbally or in writing, from sending blessings and salutations upon him (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam).
Qadhi Iyadh al-Maliki (Allah have mercy on him) mentions a Hadith wherein the Messenger of Allah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) said:
“Whosoever sends blessings upon me in a book, the angels seek forgiveness for him until my name remains in that book.”[Narrated by al-Tabrani in his al-Awsat, See: al-Shifa’ by Qadhi Iyadh, Page 557]
Hence, although the requirement would be fulfilled if one verbally sent blessings and salutations upon the Messenger of Allah (SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam), but when one writes the name of the beloved of Allah, one should also send blessings upon him in writing. I think its important to aware people with the Laws of Shari'ah regarding writing Short forms of Durood Shareef i.e. S.A.W ... Suad ... Sal'am and etc.
Hence, to write S.A.W after the name of the Beloved Prophet Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) or A.S in place of Alaihis Salaam is really a sign of being deprived, because Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam or Alaihis Salaam etc. is Durood and we decide to make abbreviations for Durood.
Hadrat Imam Jalaal al-Din as-Suyooti (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) said,
"The person who first introduced the practice of using abbreviation for Durood had his hands cut off"
Allama Sayyad Tahtawi (Radi Allahu Anhu), making a marginal note in "Durr-e-Mukhtar" states, and this quotation is also found in "Fatawa Tatar Khaniah",
"A person who writes such abbreviation with the name of any Prophet, become a Kafir."[Hashiyat al-Tahtawi, Dar al-Ma'rifah (Berut - Lebanon), Vol. 1, Page 6]
It means belittling and this deals with the integrity of the Prophets and to belittle the integrity of Prophets in indeed Kufr. It is beyond doubt that to have the intention of belittling the status of the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam is definitely Kufr and the above ruling pertains to such a condition or intention. The above ruling does not apply to those who, out of sheer laziness and ignorance, use such abbreviations. But, indeed, such persons are unfortunate, ill-fated and unlucky.
At this point, the great Mujaddid, Imam and Wali, A'la Hazrat Imam Ahmed Rida al-Qadiri (Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu) comments by saying:
Obviously, the pen is also a language and to write any meaningless words in place of is like hearing the sacred name of the glorious Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam and mumbling some meaningless thing. Allah, the Almighty and Powerful, states:
فَبَدَّلَ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ قَوْلاً غَيْرَ الَّذِي قِيلَ لَهُمْ فَأَنزَلْنَا عَلَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ رِجْزًا مِّنَ السَّمَاء بِمَا كَانُواْ يَفْسُقُونَ
"But the unjust changed the word that had been ordered for another one, so We sent down a punishment on them from the skies, the recompense of their disobedience."[Surah al-Baqarah, Verse 59]
There Allah has ordered Bani Israel to say (Say our sins be decreased), they said (We got wheat). This word has a meaning and is still a Blessing of Allah (Wheat), but just because of changing the words, it caused the displeasure of Allah and His destruction by His Punishment.
Here the order is:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
"Indeed Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet; O People who Believe! Send blessings and abundant salutations upon him."[Surah al-Ahzaab, Verse 56]
And this order is compulsory every time that you hear, say or write the sacred name of the Holy Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam. The fulfillment of the above command when writing the sacred name is to write , but, instead, this was changed to which has absolutely no meaning. Do you not fear the Azab of Allah descending upon you? May Allah save us from this Azab! Aameen!
This concerns the Durood Sharif or Salawat whose excellence is so great that its abbreviation has a reason of Kufr in it.
Now lets deal with the Sahaba and Awliya Allah (Radi Allahu Anhum Ajma'een). After writing their names, instead of writing the meaningless letters are written. This too is nonsensical and unfortunate. This is condemned by the Learned Ulama as Makrooh and a reason of misfortune. Sayyid Allamah Tahtawi (radi Allahu anhu) states:
"It is Makrooh to abbreviate when writing . Write it in full."[Hashiyat al-Tahtawi, Dar al-Ma'rifah (Berut - Lebanon), Vol. 1, Page 6]
Imam Nawawi (Radi Allahu Anhu), in his commentary of "Muslim Sharif" states:
"One who indulges in this act is stripped from a very great benefit (Khair) and has lost a great reward."
We hope that the people will take a notice to my humble request and abstain from such acts. May ALLAH Almighty give us more strength to be firm on Maslak of Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah and propagate the true message of Islam and guide us all to the success... Aameen!!