[AceOfHearts]

The word ‘Sallat’ is either followed by the Arabic letter ‘L’ which means (to, for) as in:

"……..observe the ‘Sallat’ to commemorate Me." (Sura 20, verse 14)

This first use, means the act of prayer, which is done exclusively for God.

The word ‘Sallat’ can also be followed by the Arabic word ‘Ala’ which means (on) as in all the previous verses.

Now, if ‘Sallat for’ means the act of worship of God, what is the meaning of the word ‘Sallat on’ as the one done for the prophet or the believers?



Before we analyze this second meaning, which has been the cause of all the corruption, we must first clarify a vital point. Consider the following example:

A father tells his son:

‘Like I wash my face, you too wash your face.’

The logic of this simple sentence suggests that since the father does one thing and asks the son to do it as well, then it implies that the same action done by the father is done by the son. It is not logical to assume that the father means to say:

‘When I wash my face I mean to wipe my face with water but when you wash your face my son it means you should wash your feet!!’

Going back to (Sura 33, verse 56), and since the two verbs (Yossalloon and Salloo) are used in the same verse, without any insinuation of a change in meaning, then by logic they must have the same meaning.

Consequently, when God informs us that He and the angels (Yossalloon ala al Nabi), then in the same sentence commands us to do the same, we must understand that it is of the same meaning.

Here we reach the heart of the matter. What is the meaning of (Sallat ala al Nabi) that can be done by God and by the believers equally? The same thing that is done by God must be done by the believers, as per the previous example.

First, and to give the interpreters the benefit of the doubt, let us look at the five different meanings they have suggested for the word ‘Sallat ala al Nabi’ and try to find out if any of these meanings can possibly be done by God and also by the believers :

1- God bestowing honor on His servant:
This can be done by God to any of His servants, but it is not in the authority of any human to honor another human on behalf of God.


2- To grant mercy:
Again this may only be done by God to any of His servants, all humans are themselves in need of God’s mercy, they do not have it within them to grant one another God’s mercy.


3- To constantly praise: God is too exalted ( Al Moutaali ) and proud ( Al Moutakaber) than to constantly sing the praises of any of those He has created. On the other hand, the Quran teaches the believers that the only one worthy of constant praise is God.


4- To implore God’s mercy:
This may be done by believers but it does not make sense for God to implore Himself.


5- As a sign of following someone:
Again may not be done by God be exalted. He does not follow anyone.


From this brief analysis it is clear that some of these interpretations may be done by God, while others may be done by human beings but there is not one interpretation that could apply to God and human beings equally. What then is the correct meaning of these words?

The only meaning for the words ‘Sallat ala al Nabi’ that is found in the Quran and that can apply to God, His angels and to the believers alike is to ‘support the prophet’. God and His angels indeed support the prophet and by the same token God commands the believers to support His prophet. This correct meaning is confirmed by Quranic verses :

1- God supports His prophet :

"We have bestowed upon you (O Muhammad) a great victory, whereby God forgives your past sins, as well as future sins, and perfects His blessings on you, and guides you in a straight path. Additionally, God will support you with an unwavering support." (48/1-3)


2- The angels commanded by God to support the prophet :

"Your Lord supports you with three thousand angels, sent down (to support you)." (3/124)


3- Believers commanded to support the prophet of God :

"(You shall give) to the needy who immigrated. They were evicted from their homes and deprived of their properties, because they sought God’s grace and pleasure, and because they supported God and His messenger. They are the sincere ones." (59/8)

"If you fail to support him (the prophet), God has already supported him. Thus when the disbelievers chased, him and he was one of two in the cave, he said to his friend, ‘Do not worry, God is with us’, God then sent contentment and security upon him, and supported him with invisible soldiers." (9/40)

"Those who believe in him (the prophet), respect him, SUPPORT HIM and follow the light (the Quran) that was sent down with him are the truly successful ones." (7/157)

It is clear from these verses that God commands believers to do three things regarding His prophet :

1- To believe in him.

2- To support him.

3- To obey and follow his message (the Quran).

Thus the correct meaning of the words ‘Sallat ala al Nabi’ is to support the prophet. Since the prophet is now dead and no longer with us then it is not possible to support him personally. The support now is directed to his message which is the Quran.

With that correct meaning of the word, it is right to think that when God ‘Yessallee ala al Momeneen’ it means He supports them and guides them out of the darkness. This meaning is indeed confirmed in the verse :

"He is the one who ‘Yessallee alaikom’ (supports you), together with His angels, to lead you out of the darkness into the light." (33/43)

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