He answered:

All praise is due to Allah.

The scholars have differed over whether someone other than the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, may invoke blessings upon another person independently of invoking blessings upon the Prophet. There are two views:

The first is that this is not permitted. This is the position transmitted from Mālik and al-Shāfi‘ī, and the view preferred by my grandfather, Abū al-Barakāt.

The second is that it is permissible. This is Ahmad’s explicitly stated position and the view preferred by most of his followers, including al-Qādī, Ibn ‘Aqīl, and Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qādir. They cited as evidence the report that ‘Alī said to ‘Umar, “May Allah bestow blessings upon you.”

Those holding the first view cited the statement of Ibn ‘Abbās: “I do not know of anyone upon whom it is fitting for someone to invoke blessings except the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.” Ibn ‘Abbās said this when the Shia emerged and began openly invoking blessings upon ‘Alī to the exclusion of others. This is objectionable and forbidden, as Ibn ‘Abbās stated.

As for what is reported from ‘Alī: if it does not involve exaggeration and this is made a distinctive practice for someone other than the Messenger, then it is a form of supplication, and nothing in the Quran or Sunnah prohibits it. Allah Most High says:

“It is He who bestows blessings upon you, as do His angels.”

And the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Indeed, the angels invoke blessings upon any one of you as long as he remains