1407 – Abu Humayd al-Saʿidī, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: They said, “Messenger of Allah, how should we invoke blessings upon you?” He replied, “Say: ‘O Allah, send Your blessings upon Muhammad, upon his wives and his offspring just as You sent blessings upon Abraham, and bless Muhammad, his wives and his offspring just as You blessed Abraham. You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious.’” Agreed upon.

[Explanation]
These three ḥadiths set out the manner of invoking blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ. In the report of Kaʿb ibn ʿUjrah, may Allah be pleased with him, the Companions asked the Prophet ﷺ how to invoke blessings upon him after he had already taught them how to offer the salutation of peace. What he had taught them for the salutation was the formula: “Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.” As for the invocation of blessings, he taught them to say: “O Allah, send Your blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad….”

As noted earlier, Allah’s ṣalāt upon a servant means His praising that servant in the highest assembly. The term “family of Muhammad” here includes everyone who follows him upon his religion. A person’s āl may refer either to his followers in faith or to his blood relatives, but in the context of supplication it is more fitting to intend the broader sense, for it is more comprehensive. Thus “and upon the family of Muhammad” means all of his followers.

If someone asks, “Does āl ever carry the meaning of followers?” the answer is yes. Allah the Exalted says: “And on the Day when the Hour is established it will be said, ‘Admit the people of Pharaoh to the severest punishment’” (Q 40:46).