Question:
How is it to say “Aṣṣalātu Wassalāmu ‘Alayka Yā Rasulallāh”? Is there a difference when we are at the Prophet’s masjid in the presence of the Prophet’s tomb or away from the city of Madīnah, for example, in Toronto or Tokyo?
Answer:
Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for your question.
“Yā” is a vocative particle in Arabic.
If a vocative particle is used when addressing the Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessings upon him), to seek or supplicate from him directly or believing that he is omni present like the Almighty, then it is not permissible to use such terminology. However, if the vocative particle is utilized with Muḥammad (peace and blessings upon him) for a sense of respect, to establishing a personal emotional presence or to employ the words from source texts, then it is permissible, regardless if one is at the grave site of the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) or not.
The vocative particle with the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) is recited in the tashahhud supplication by all believers across the globe in daily ritual prayers. The wordings,
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
“Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allāh and His blessings.” (Muwaṭṭa)
When Abū Bakr (may Allāh be pleased with him) saw the dead body of the Prophet, he addressed him with a vocative particle saying,
“You were pleasant when you were alive and also [now] that you have passed.” (Bukhārī)
Upon the demise, his beloved daughter, Fāṭimah (may Allāh be pleased with her) said,
“O my father, Allāh has called you back and you have responded to His Call. O father! Garden of Firdaus is your abode.” (Bukhārī)
When ‘Abd Allāh Ibn ‘Omar (may Allāh be pleased with him) would be at the tombs in the Prophet’s mosque, he would say,
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا رَسُوْلَ الله , السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَبَا بَكْر , السَّلَام عَلَيْكَ يَا أَبَتَاه
“Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allāh, Peace be upon you O Abū Bakr, Peace be upon you O my father!”
It should be noted that the Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessings upon him) like all other prophets has died and is considered dead for the people of this world. However, they do have some form of life, in a manner only known to the Almighty.
“The prophets are alive [in some form] in their graves” (Bazzār)
Seeking supplications directly from the dead, whether they are prophets or the pious, is classified as ‘shirk’ (associating partners with the Almighty). Supplications and calling upon a being to have prayers heard and answered is exclusive to the Almighty. Also, Allāh is the only Being that is Omni-Present.
And Allāh Knows Best