In this episode of Whispers to the Divine, Dr. Imam Sherif Ahmed reflects on one of the most beloved and frequently recited supplications in a Muslim’s daily life: Salāt al-Ibrāhīmiyyah. Though its words are familiar to every believer, this duʿāʾ carries layers of meaning, legacy, and nearness that are often overlooked.

The Prophet ﷺ taught this supplication explicitly when the Companions sought guidance on how to send blessings upon him. Kaʿb ibn ʿUjrah رضي الله عنه narrates that they asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about the proper manner of sending ṣalāh upon him. In response, the Prophet ﷺ taught them the precise wording that would later become an essential part of the prayer itself.

The Prophetic Instruction (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)

Arabic Narration

عن كعب بن عجرة رضي الله عنه قال:

قلنا: يا رسولَ اللهِ، أمَّا السلامُ عليك فقد عرفناه، فكيف الصلاةُ عليك؟

قال رسولُ الله ﷺ:

قولوا:

اللهم صلِّ على محمدٍ وعلى آلِ محمدٍ، كما صلَّيتَ على إبراهيمَ وعلى آلِ إبراهيمَ، إنك حميدٌ مجيد.

اللهم بارك على محمدٍ وعلى آلِ محمدٍ، كما باركتَ على إبراهيمَ وعلى آلِ إبراهيمَ، إنك حميدٌ مجيد.

Muslim

English Translation

Kaʿb ibn ʿUjrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:

We said, “O Messenger of Allah, we know how to send peace upon you, but how should we send blessings upon you?”

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Say: O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.

O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.”

Salāt al-Ibrāhīmiyyah (For Daily Recitation)

Arabic

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ،

كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ،

إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ.

اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ،

كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ،

إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ.

Transliteration

Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā Muḥammadin wa ʿalā āli Muḥammad,

kamā ṣallayta ʿalā Ibrāhīma wa ʿalā āli Ibrāhīm,

innaka Ḥamīdun Majīd.

Allāhumma bārik ʿalā Muḥammadin wa ʿalā āli Muḥammad,

kamā bārakta ʿalā Ibrāhīma wa ʿalā āli Ibrāhīm,

innaka Ḥamīdun Majīd.

Dr. Imam Sherif reminds us that this narration reveals the heart of Salāt al-Ibrāhīmiyyah itself: it is not a poetic addition to our worship, but a direct Prophetic instruction, taught intentionally and preserved faithfully. Through it, we are spiritually linked to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, connected to the legacy of Ibrāhīm عليه السلام, and grounded in a lineage of devotion rooted in submission and gratitude.

This reflection invites us to return to Salāt al-Ibrāhīmiyyah with presence. When the tongue is moistened with ṣalawāt, the heart is softened. When blessings are sent upon the Prophet ﷺ, our prayers are elevated, our remembrance deepened, and our nearness to Allah increased.

📿 Some of the most powerful acts of worship are the ones we repeat daily—when we return to them with love and awareness.

New duʿāʾ reflections are released every other Friday as part of the Whispers to the Divine series.