If you are a Muslim, you have definitely heard the term ‘Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam’ used after the name of the Holy Prophet or whenever a Muslim mentions him (PBUH). This is because Allah orders the believers to send Salawat on his last messenger.
In Surah Al-Azhab Verse 56, the Quran says, “Indeed, Allah showers His blessings upon the Prophet, and His angels pray for him. O believers! Invoke Allah’s blessings upon him, and salute him with worthy greetings of peace.”
This blog will discuss the meaning and benefits of saying Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam after Porphet Muhammad’s (PBUH) name. We will also write Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam in Arabic, English transliteration, and translation.
Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam in Arabic
صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam in English trasnliteration
Ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam
How to pronounce Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam?
The Arabic phrase ‘Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam’ can be easily pronounced if broken into smaller pieces. Here is the breakdown of Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam to pronounce easily and correctly.
- Sall
- Lal
- Laa-hu
- Aa-lhaye
- Wa-Sal-lum
Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam Translation
Here is the English translation of Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. “May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.”
Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam Meaning
Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam is used to send peace and blessings upon Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Arabic phrase is commonly used after the name of the last messenger of Allah as a form of respect. You can also use ‘Peace be Upon Him’ instead of Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam abbriviations
Here are the most common abbreviations and spellings of Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam used by Muslims.
- Sallallahu alaihi wasallam
- salla allahu alayhi wasallam
- salla llahu alayhi wa-sallam
- S.A.W
- SAAW
- S.A.W.S
Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam Symbol 
Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam is the most common dua given to the last messenger (PBUH) of Allah. Muslims have developed an abbreviation for sending a salawat on the Prophet (PBUH), which is commonly used in Islamic books and texts.
Here is the symbol for Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam— ﷺ
This symbol makes the online posting of articles, hadiths, and blogs easy for the writer and readers. However, a few Muslim scholars disagree with the symbol, especially the short form of Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam (SAW or PBUH). They argue that Muslims must send Salawat in full form and refrain from using short forms and symbols.
How to send Salawat to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?
Saying Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam is the basic way to send Salawat upon the last messenger (PBUH). However, there are other ways to send Salawat, some of which are listed below.
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Hadith: It was narrated from Musa bin Talha, from his father, that: A man came to the Prophet of Allah (PBUH) and said: “How should we send blessings upon you, O Prophet of Allah?’ He said: ‘Say: Alahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama sallaita ‘ala Ibrahima wa barik ‘ala Muhammad kama barakta ‘ala ali Ibrahim fil-‘alamin, innaka hamidun majid. —Sunan an-Nasa’i 1291
You can also recite the Durood e Ibrahimi to send Salawat upon the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
What are the benefits of sending Salawat upon the Prophet (PBUH)?
Sending Salawat (peace and blessings) upon the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is ordered by Allah in the Quran Surah Al-Azhab Verse 56. Therefore its our duty to ask Allah for peace and mercy for the last messenger (PBUH).
However, there are other benefits associated with sending blessings to the Holy Prophet (PBUH). When you send Salawat upon the Messenger (PBUH), Allah will return it to you tenfold, will erase your ten sins, and raise your status to ten degrees.
Hadith: Anas bin Malik said: “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Whoever sends salah upon me once, Allah (SWT) will send salah upon him tenfold and will erase ten sins from him, and will raise him ten degrees in status.”—Sunan an-Nasa’i 1297
The Propeht (PBUH) returs your salam
Whenever a Muslim sends Salawat or Salam to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), he listens to it and responds back. This is the reason millions of Muslims send Salawat and Salam to the Holy Prophet (PBUH); some of them visit the final resting place of the Prophet (PBUH) just to send Salam and blessings.
Hadith: Narrated AbuHurayrah: The Prophet (PBUH) said: If any one of you greets me, Allah returns my soul to me, and I respond to the greeting.—Sunan Abi Dawud 2041
Additionally, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) asked his followers not to make his grave a place for festivals. But you can send Salawat to him, and your salam will reach him no matter where you are located.
Hadith: Narrated AbuHurayrah: The Prophet (PBUH) said: Do not make your houses graves, nor make my grave a place of festivity. But invoke blessings on me, for your blessings reach me wherever you may be. —Sunan Abi Dawud 2042
What is the best time to send Salawat to the Holy Prophet (PBUH)?
There is no best time to send Salawat and you can send Salam and blessings upon the Prophet (PBUH) whenever you want to. However, Friday is considered a holy day in Islam and millions of Muslims send peace and blessings upon Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Friday.
Here is a complete guide on dua for Friday, including Drood Sharief. Additionally, you can also send blessings upon the Prophet (PBUH) after every Salah; here is the best dua after Salah and dua after Fajr Salah.
Wrap Up
We have discussed the topic of saying Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam in detail and proved why Muslims should recite this Arabic phrase after the name of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). We have also written Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam in Arabic and English and discussed the meaning and benefit of saying Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
We have provided references from the Quran about sending Salawat to the Prophet (PBUH) and mentioned Sahih Hadihts about it. We hope you will find this guide useful and will share it with other Muslims.
What else should you know?
Here is a list of a few powerful dua you should know.
