Ibn Abi Asim
al-Salat ala al-Nabi li-Ibn Abi Asim
- Author died
- 287 AH
- Editions
- Dār al-Ma’mūn lil-Turāth
al-Salat ala al-Nabi (Kitab al-Salat ala al-Nabi) is a specialized hadith monograph compiled by the traditionist and judge Ibn Abi Asim (207–287 AH / 822–900 CE) dedicated to traditions concerning the invocation of blessings and peace upon the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Structure and Content
The work consists of 91 numbered traditions arranged thematically under nineteen topical chapters (abwab):
- Inquiry into how to send blessings: Narrations regarding the Companions asking the Prophet how to invoke blessings upon him and his instructions on the wording whenever he is mentioned.
- Proximity on the Day of Resurrection: The tradition stating that the people closest to the Prophet on the Day of Resurrection are those who invoke blessings upon him most frequently.
- Conveyance of prayers and greetings: Reports that invocations and salutations reach the Prophet wherever the believer may be, as well as angels roaming the earth to convey greetings to him.
- Censure of the miser: Narrations defining the miser as the person in whose presence the Prophet is mentioned yet fails to invoke blessings upon him.
- The ten-fold reward: Hadiths stating that God confers ten blessings upon whoever invokes a single blessing upon the Prophet.
- Devoting supplication to blessings: The virtue of directing one's prayer and supplication entirely to sending blessings upon the Prophet.
- Morning and evening invocations: Traditions encouraging the invocation of blessings in the morning and evening.
- Friday blessings: Reports urging an increase in blessings on Fridays and stating that deeds are presented to the Prophet.
- The Prophet's affirmation of Jibril's supplication: Narrations recording the Prophet saying "Amen" when the archangel Jibril prayed against the one who neglects invoking blessings upon hearing the Prophet's name.
- Blessings alongside other Messengers: Instructions on invoking blessings upon the Prophet alongside the rest of the Messengers, and placing blessings at the beginning and middle of supplications.
- Asking for al-Wasilah: Traditions enjoining believers to ask God to grant the Prophet the station of al-Wasilah in Paradise, and the promised intercession for doing so.
- Supplications during the Call to Prayer: Narrations detailing what should be said upon hearing the adhan and petitioning for al-Wasilah at that time.
- Entering and leaving the mosque: Rulings on invoking blessings when entering and exiting places of worship.
- Blessings during ritual ablution: Narrations addressing sending blessings in connection with wudu.
- Tinnitus and remembrance: Traditions mentioning the invocation of blessings when experiencing ringing in the ear.
- Reprimand for haste in prayer: The report of the Prophet remarking about a supplicant who omitted praise of God and blessings on the Prophet that عَجِلَ هَذَا ("This one was hasty"), followed by teaching him the proper method.
- Straying from the path of Paradise: A warning regarding the one who forgets to send blessings upon the Prophet when mentioned.
- Assemblies without remembrance: Severe regret and potential accountability for attendees of gatherings that disband without mentioning God or invoking blessings upon the Prophet.
- The Prophet blessing others: Reports documenting instances where the Prophet prayed for and invoked blessings upon specific individuals and groups, such as Sa'd ibn Ubadah, the Ansar, and the family of Abu Awfa when they brought their charity.
Transmission and Editions
The transmission of the text from Ibn Abi Asim was preserved through a chain connecting the transmitter Abu Bakr Abd Allah ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Furak al-Qabbab, down to later traditionists including Abu Mansur Mahmud ibn Isma'il al-Sayrafi and Abu al-Hajjaj Yusuf ibn Khalil al-Dimashqi through an audition (sama') held in Aleppo.
The text was edited by Hamdi Abd al-Majid al-Salafi and published by Dar al-Ma'mun lil-Turath in Damascus in 1415 AH / 1995 CE.
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