Riyadh us Saliheen: The Obligation of Supplicating Allah to Exalt His Mention and its Excellence, and its Manner

Chapter 243
The Obligation of Supplicating Allah to Exalt His Mention and its Excellence, and its Manner

Allah, the Exalted, says:

"Allah exalts the mention of His Messenger (PBUH) and His angels supplicate Him to do so. O you who believe! supplicate Allah to exalt his mention and to grant him safety and security.

1397. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying: "Whoever supplicates Allah to exalt my mention, Allah will exalt his mention ten times.''
[Muslim].

Commentary: Recitation of Salat upon the Prophet (PBUH) means the recitation of benediction. Such as the one recited in Salat "O Allah, have mercy on Muhammad...)'' It is a prayer for mercy and exaltation of the Prophet (PBUH) which is highly meritorious. (At-Tirmidhi, Hadith Hasan).

1398. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "The people who will be nearest to me on the Day of Resurrection will be those who supplicate Allah more often for me.''
[At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary: "Nearest to me'' signifies "those who are most entitled to my intercession''. Thus, this Hadith has also an inducement for very frequent recitation of Salat on the Prophet (PBUH).

1399. Aus bin Aus (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Among the best of your days is Friday; so supplicate Allah more often for me in it , for your supplications will be displayed to me.'' He was asked: "O Messenger of Allah! How will our blessings be displayed to you when your decayed body will have mixed with the earth?'' He (PBUH) replied, "Allah has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of the Prophets.''
[Abu Dawud].

Commentary: That "Allah has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of the Prophets'' means that the earth does not consume them. That "their Salat (salutations) will be presented to him'' indicates that angels present the salutation performed to him, as is elucidated in other Ahadith. Moreover, his soul is then returned to him and he answers the salutations also. (In the opinion of Muhaddithun, the Hadith relating to the return of the soul comes in the category of "Hadith Hasan'', i.e., it is acceptable).