salavat

Salavat, or salawat, refers to the practice of sending blessings and peace upon the Prophet Muhammad. The term comes from Arabic roots meaning blessing or praise (salāh) and the formula “alayhi was-salam,” meaning “peace be upon him.” In Islamic usage, salavat is a devotional act that honors Muhammad and acknowledges his prophetic role.

The practice is rooted in Islamic tradition and is commonly associated with both recitation and invocation. A well-known formula is: “Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammadin,” meaning “O God, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad.” A longer variant is often used in formal prayers, linking blessings on Muhammad with blessings on the Prophet Abraham. The Qur’an also directs believers to send blessings upon the Prophet and greet him with peace, a basis cited by scholars to support recurring salavat in personal and communal worship.

Salavat is recited in a variety of contexts. It is commonly said in daily personal supplications, during or after formal prayers, and in religious gatherings, sermons, and devotional ceremonies. Across different Muslim cultures, the phrasing and frequency of recitation can vary, with many communities incorporating salavat into morning and evening routines, as well as on special occasions such as Mawlid, the Prophet’s birthday.

In practice, salavat is viewed as an act of reverence and spiritual reflection. In many traditions, repeating the invocations is believed to bring spiritual rewards and to strengthen the believer’s love for the Prophet, while also fostering a sense of communal remembrance.