Is it permissible to 'assalama alayka ya rasoolallah'

Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Abi Laylha (Radhiallaahu Anhu) narrates that Ka'ba ibn Ujra (Radhiallaahu Anhu) met me in the Musjid. He said to me, 'Should I not gift to you something that I had heard from Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam)?' I replied, 'Most certainly please do so.' He said, 'We asked Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), 'O Rasul of Allah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), How should we sent salaat (blessings) upon you (and) the Ahlul-Bayt (members of your household). For Allah Ta'ala has shown us only how to send salaams (salutations) upon you (but not Salaat)?' Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) replied, 'Say, O Allah send Salaat (blessings) upon Muhammad (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) like how you sent them upon Ibraahim (Alayhis salaam). Verily thou art most worthy of praise, most honourable (the formula of Durood-e-Ibraahim).' (Bukhari and Muslim)

In this Hadith (tradition), Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) taught his Sahaaba (Radhiallaahu Anhu) the way of sending Salaat and Salaam (blessings and salutations) upon him. Also we see no similarity between the way taught by Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and the baseless custom prevailing nowadays. Undoubtedly, Salaat is a powerful blessing and a means of great rewards, provided it is carried out in the way shown by our beloved Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). Neither has Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) nor the Sahaaba (Radhiallaahu Anhu), Taabi'een (RA) and pious predecessors specified any time or mode for reciting of Durood and Salaam as is the practise nowadays. Neither did any of the Sahaab nor Taabi'een carry out the practise that is now prevalent, rather they strongly opposed such innovations. To specify certain times, e.g. after Fardh (obligatory) prayers or after Jummu'ah, likewise, after Adhaan and to recite in a loud voice or in group form, etc. and regard these practises as necessary and part of Deen is undoubtedly an innovation.

It is narrated that Ibn Mas'ood (Radhiallaahu Anhu) once heard of a group that had gathered in a Musjid reciting the Kalimah and Durood and Salaam in a loud voice. He immediately confronted them and said, 'This is a practice we have not seen in the time of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). I see you all to be only Bidaaits (innovators).' He continued to say this until he had chased them all out of the Musjid. (Bazzaariyyah and Shaami). Most definitely, we should make it a practise torecite Durood and Salaam on Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) as much as possible, but we should be careful to do this only in the way shown by Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) himself. (Ahsanul Fataawa vol.1 pg.363; HM Saeed)

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.