Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Question
My question is about durood. I don’t understand what “صَلِّ” means. I saw it translated as “sending salutations,” which is defined as “sending greetings for arrival.” What am I asking Allah Most High to do when I say durood?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate
I hope you’re doing well, insha’Allah.
“Blessings” (salat) upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) refers to “mercy, with raising in rank and honor with Allah.” [Bajuri, Tuhfat al-Murid ‘ala Jawharat al-Tawhid]
“Peace” (salam) upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is for “Allah to grant him complete serenity and contentment—and to put his heart with respect to his community, that we’ll uphold our covenant with him.” [ibid; Hashimi, Miftah al-Janna, quoting Sha‘rani]
One sends blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with love and thankfulness—to Allah and the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)—for this Divine Gift of Mercy and Good.
And Allah is the giver of success and facilitation.
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani spent ten years studying with some of the leading scholars of recent times, first in Damascus, and then in Amman, Jordan. His teachers include the foremost theologian of recent times in Damascus, the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas (may Allah have mercy on him), as well as his student Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi, one of the leading Hanafi fuqaha of the present age. He returned to Canada in 2007, where he founded SeekersGuidance in order to meet the urgent need to spread Islamic knowledge–both online and on the ground–in a reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible manner. He is the author of: Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School (White Thread Press, 2004.) Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been named one of the 500 most influential Muslims by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center.