Durood

Durood, also spelled durud or darood, refers to prayers that seek blessings and peace for the Prophet Muhammad. The term derives from Arabic durūd, meaning blessings, and salawat, meaning sending blessings. In Islamic practice, reciting durood is an expression of love for the Prophet and a devotional act intended to bring spiritual benefit to the supplicant as well as blessings upon the Prophet’s family.

One of the most widely used formulations is the Darood Ibrahim (Salat al-Ibrahimiyya), commonly recited in many prayers after the Tashahhud and before concluding. A traditional Arabic text is often given as: Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahima innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin kama barakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahima innaka Hamidun Majid. Shorter versions and regional variations are also common, especially in Urdu-speaking communities where it is called Darood Sharif.

Usage and significance: Durood is widely recited in daily prayers, during supplications (du'a), and at religious gatherings, sermons, and family recitations. It is generally regarded as recommended (mustahab) rather than obligatory, with frequency and form varying by tradition and school of thought. Reciting durood is believed to bring blessings to the Prophet and his family and to the supplicant, and many Muslims view it as a means of earning reward and spiritual proximity.

Variants: Numerous forms exist beyond the Ibrahimic durood, including shorter invocations and localized phrases. It is common in many communities to recite durood during Friday prayers, on religious occasions, and at home as part of devotional practice.