Thus, the meaning of “O Allah, send blessings upon him” is: praise him in the highest assembly—that is, among the angels brought near to Allah.

If someone were to say: This is far removed from the derivation of the word, for ṣalāh in the Arabic language means supplication, not praise.

The response is that ṣalāh also derives from ṣilah (connection or honouring), and there is no doubt that praising the Messenger of Allah in the highest assembly is among the greatest honours. For praise may sometimes be more important to a person than anything else; thus, a good mention is a great honour.

Accordingly, the preponderant view is that sending blessings upon him means praising him in the highest assembly.

His statement, “upon Muhammad”: someone may ask, Why did he not say, “upon the Prophet,” or, “upon Your Prophet Muhammad”? Rather, he mentioned him only by his proper name.

The answer is that this is in the form of a declarative statement, and declarative wording is broader than imperative wording.

His statement, “and upon the family of Muhammad,” means: and send blessings upon the family of Muhammad.

It has been said that the family of Muhammad are those who follow him in his religion (1), because a person’s family includes everyone connected to him, whether through lineage, partisanship, alliance, patronage, or following—as Allah, Exalted is He, says:

“On the Day the Hour is established, admit the people of Pharaoh into the severest punishment.” [Ghafir 40:46]

Thus, his family are those who follow him in his religion.