The Obligation of Swalawat

‎بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

The following was taken from ath-Thariq Ila Allah al-Munji fi Zaman ad-Dajjal wa al-Mahdi, and interpreted from the Arabic, by Ustadz Muhammad ‘Abdullah at-Tijani al-Ibrahimi. 

Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya ibn Sharaf an-Nawawi (r.a.) was once asked, in the masjid of Damascus, “Is the swalawat ‘ala an-Nabi greater in Reward or the obligatory swalah which has been repeatedly Mentioned by Allah?” 

Imam an-Nawawi (r.a.) was silent for a moment and then replied, “The swalawat upon the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) is greater.” 

So, the questioner said, “How can you say that!  Did not Allah (s.w.t.) Make the five daily prayers an obligation on His servants?  So how can He Exalt another Command over this one?” 

So, Imam an-Nawawi (r.a.) answered, “Yes, He has Ordered the five daily prayers, and He also Made it an obligation to offer prayers of peace and blessings upon the Messenger of Allah (s.w.t.) in His Saying: 

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴحزَاب

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَتَهُ ۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّۚ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ صَلُّواْ عَلَيۡهِ وَسَلِّمُواْ تَسۡلِيمًا (٥٦) 

Allah, and His angels, Send Blessings on the Prophet: O ye that believe!  Send ye blessings on him and salute him, with all respect. (Surah al-Ahzab:56) 

So, this is also an obligation.  You have been given two obligations, the obligation of the five daily swalah, and the obligation of making swalawat ‘ala an-Nabi.” 

The man remained silent for a short time and then said: “I understand.  These two have been made equal obligations.” 

Imam an-Nawawi (r.a.) said, “No, these two are not equal!  The obligatory act which Allah (s.w.t.) has Ordered of you alone is not equal to the Obligatory Act which He Himself and His angels are also Doing along with the believers.  The one which Allah (s.w.t.) and His angels and His servants is greater than the one you are doing by yourself!”