Central Sermon (Khutbah)
Greeting the Prophet of Allah dispels worries and erases sins
Everything related to the Prophet of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, is special. Therefore, the act of sending greetings is a unique worship that Allah, the Most High, particularly loves and rewards abundantly.
Allah says: “Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who have believed, ask [ Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [ Allah to grant him] peace.” (Quran, Al-Ahzab, 33:56).
The meanings of greetings vary depending on the context and the sender. When Allah sends greetings to the Prophet, it means He showers His mercy and praises him in His close circle. The greetings of the angels to the Prophet of Allah mean that the angels seek forgiveness for the Prophet and offer prayers for Allah to praise him in the divine assembly. When it is said that Muslims send greetings to the Prophet, it means they pray to Allah for him and ask Allah to praise him in the close divine assembly. When it is said that Allah sends greetings to His servant, it means Allah sends down His mercy, praises him, and mentions him. The community’s prophetic greetings are a prayer for forgiveness and mercy. When it is said that the angels send greetings to the Muslims, it means they seek forgiveness for them.
Let’s return to the value of greetings and their impact on the lives of believers. For one greeting to Allah, there are ten blessings from the Most High. Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As reported hearing the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, say: “Whoever sends a greeting upon me, Allah sends ten greetings upon him in return.” (Muslim) Greetings are the cause of ease and the fulfillment of needs. Ubej ibn Ka’ba reported asking the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him: “O Messenger of Allah, I frequently supplicate for myself; how much of it should I allocate to sending greetings upon you?” The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, replied: “As much as you wish.” I said: “A quarter?” He responded: “As you wish, but increasing it is better for you.” I said: “Then half?” He replied: “As you wish, but increasing it is better for you.” I said: “Then two-thirds?” He responded: “As you wish, but increasing it is better for you.” I then said: “All of my supplications will be dedicated to sending greetings upon you.” The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: “In that case, it will be sufficient for you to dispel worries and obtain forgiveness for sins.” (Tirmidhi with an authentic chain of transmission)
Friday greetings are special and should be intensified. Ebu Davud reports from Evsa ibn Evsa, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: “The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: ‘Friday is one of your best days, so send as many greetings upon me on this day, for truly your greetings are presented to me.’ His companions asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah, how will our greetings be presented to you when you are decomposed?’ They mean, ‘when you have turned to dust.’ The Messenger, peace be upon him, replied: ‘Certainly, the Most High Allah has forbidden the earth to consume and decompose the bodies of the prophets.'” (Ebu Davud with an authentic chain of transmission)
Presenting greetings and blessings to the Prophet, peace be upon him, whether orally or in writing, through speech or in writing, is one of the causes of pride and honor, both in this world and the hereafter. From Ebu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, it is reported that he said: “The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: ‘Do not turn my grave into a celebration, but send greetings upon me, for truly your greetings reach me wherever you are.'” (Ebu Davud with an authentic chain of transmission)
Reciting greetings to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is considered a virtuous deed towards one’s father! This occurs because the angel who conveys the greetings of people to the Prophet, peace be upon him, says: “O Muhammad, indeed, such and such son of such and such father sends greetings to you!” Thus, the person becomes a reason for his father to be mentioned in the presence of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. It is one of the best ways to show kindness.
Thus, it is reported from Al-Humejrija that he said: “Ammar ibn Jasir, may Allah be pleased with him, said to me: ‘Do you not want me to tell you what I heard from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him?’ I said: ‘Of course, I do.'”
Thus, he narrates to me: “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: ‘Indeed, the Most High Allah has an angel whom He has taught the names of all people. He will stand near my grave from the day of my death until the Day of Judgment. None of my community will send a greeting upon me without mentioning his name and the name of his father. He will say: O Muhammad, such and such, son of such and such, has sent greetings to you. Then the Almighty Lord will grant to that person, for each greeting, ten greetings.'” (Bukhari)
Therefore, we send as many greetings and blessings as possible (especially today) to our beloved Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him!
