Today, when most Muslims hear the word Salwat, they associate it with the sending of blessings to the prophet Muhammad. Some take it so far as to think that it is mandatory to send blessings to the prophet continuously throughout their day and even during their Salat, and they attribute such understandings to the following verse.
33:56 GOD and His angels [they salawat] help and support the prophet. O you who believe, you shall [salawat] help and support him, and greet him as he should be greeted.
But is this what the verse means, or is this a misunderstanding of what this verse is commanding?
Root for Salawat
The words “yuṣallūna” ( يُصَلُّونَ) and “ṣallū” ( صَلُّوا) can have one of two meanings pending on which root is applied; either “sad-lam-waw” ( ص ل و) which is the root for prayers and blessings, or “waw-sad-lam ( و ص ل) which is the same root as Salat and means to connect or join. If we apply the former, the verse would be interpreted as God and the angels sending blessings upon the prophet, and so should the believers. If we apply the latter root, it would be understood that God and the angels connect or support the prophet, and so should the believers.
We can determine which root is the correct one to apply by looking at how this word is used in other verses of the Quran. One example that clarifies that the root cannot be sending blessings or prayers can be seen in the following verse.
9:99 Other Arabs do believe in GOD and the Last Day, and consider their spending to be a means towards GOD, and a means of supporting [salawat] the messenger. Indeed, it will bring them nearer; GOD will admit them into His mercy. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
From this verse, we see that the spending of money is considered a form of salawat. This implies that there is a physical component to salawat through physically supporting the messenger through resources. This is emphasized again in the following verse.
9:103 Take from their money a charity to purify them and sanctify them. And [wasali] encourage them, indeed [salataka] your encouragement reassures them. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.
From this verse, we see that the salawat is bi-directional. The people sent money in the form of salawat (support) to the prophet, and in return, the prophet returned salawat (support) to them for their efforts.
This concept is similar to the requirement when the messenger was alive for the people to go to him so that he could pray to God for their forgiveness, showing that the believers had a duty, as did the messenger.
4:64 We did not send any messenger except to be obeyed in accordance with GOD’s will. Had they, when they wronged their souls, come to you and prayed to GOD for forgiveness, and the messenger prayed for their forgiveness, they would have found GOD Redeemer, Most Merciful.
In the above verse, we see that God and His angels yuṣallī ( يُصَلِّي) the believers. Again, depending on which root is applied to the verse, it can be understood that God and His angels either bless or connect (e.g., help and support) the believers. But from these verses, it is clear that God is not commemorating the names of the believers like they do in modern-day salawat towards the prophet, but instead supporting the believers in their efforts in this world by guiding them.
So, from these verses, we see that it is a commandment for the believers to help and support the messenger. And a commandment for the messenger to do the same to the believers. God also helps and supports the believers, as do the angels. But none of this implies that we are to do this during our Salat, as the Salat must be dedicated to God alone. That said, does the sending of salawat to the prophet even apply today now that the prophet is dead?
Nabi
Throughout the Quran, when the word Nabi is used in reference to Muhammad, it is only when he was alive. This is further reinforced by looking at the rest of the verse in 33:56, where God informs believers to “greet the prophet.” Obviously, one cannot greet someone who is no longer living; therefore, this only applies when the prophet is alive.
33:56 GOD and His angels [they salawat] help and support the prophet. O you who believe, you shall [salawat] help and support him, and greet him as he should be greeted.
Another clear example in the Quran that shows that when the word nabi is used, it only applies to when the prophet was alive is in the following verse:
49:2 O you who believe, do not raise your voices above the voice of the prophet, nor shall you shout at him as you shout at each other, lest your works become nullified while you do not perceive.
From this verse, it is clear that one cannot raise their voice above that of the prophet’s once he is dead. And if anyone has any doubts that Muhammad’s physical body is dead, God also clarified this matter:
3:144 Muhammad was no more than a messenger like the messengers before him. Should he die or get killed, would you turn back on your heels? Anyone who turns back on his heels, does not hurt GOD in the least. GOD rewards those who are appreciative.
39:30 You (Muhammad) will surely die, just like they will die.
(٣٠) إِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ وَإِنَّهُمْ مَيِّتُونَ
Conclusion
Therefore, verse 33:56 is in regard to a commandment that was incumbent upon the believers when Muhammad was alive and carrying out his obligation from God. The believers at that time were required to support the prophet.
24:63 Do not treat the messenger’s requests as you treat each others’ requests. GOD is fully aware of those among you who sneak away using flimsy excuses. Let them beware—those who disobey his orders—for a disaster may strike them, or a severe retribution.
Now that the prophet has passed and has fulfilled his mission to deliver this message, it is no longer applicable to have salawat for the prophet, just like we can no longer raise our voices or greet the prophet.
Not only can the commandment of 33:56 not be carried out today, but to use this verse as justification to constantly commemorate the prophet and to include his name in the Salat is in complete defiance of the Quran that all praise belongs to God alone.
As believers, we are commanded to commemorate only God, not the prophets or saints.
33:41 O you who believe, you shall remember GOD frequently.
To do otherwise would directly contradict the teachings of the prophets and messengers.
3:79 Never would a human being whom GOD blessed with the scripture and prophethood say to the people, “Idolize me beside GOD.” Instead, (he would say), “Devote yourselves absolutely to your Lord alone,” according to the scripture you preach and the teachings you learn.
Those who attempt to justify such actions make the excuse that since these righteous individuals were closer to God by calling upon them, they would put a good word for them with God, but God tells us this is not the case.
39:3 Absolutely, the religion shall be devoted to GOD alone. Those who set up idols beside Him say, “We idolize them only to bring us closer to GOD; for they are in a better position!” GOD will judge them regarding their disputes. GOD does not guide such liars, disbelievers.
When we assume such things, we assume that these other entities are omniscient and can hear our prayers, but not only do they not hear our prayers, they will not even be able to recognize us on the Day of Judgment. For instance, in Paradise, Jesus has no clue that the people in this world call him as part of a trinity.
5:116 GOD will say, “O Jesus, son of Mary, did you say to the people, ‘Make me and my mother idols beside GOD’?” He will say, “Be You glorified. I could not utter what was not right. Had I said it, You already would have known it. You know my thoughts, and I do not know Your thoughts. You know all the secrets. 5:117 “I told them only what You commanded me to say, that: ‘You shall worship GOD, my Lord and your Lord.’ I was a witness among them for as long as I lived with them. When You terminated my life on earth, You became the Watcher over them. You witness all things.
As believers, we must be 100% content with the worship and commemoration of God alone.
39:45 When GOD ALONE is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink with aversion. But when others are mentioned beside Him, they become satisfied.