The Quranic Verse (33:56) — Theology
“Inna llaha wa-mala’ikatahu yusalluna ‘ala al-nabi — ya ayyuha alladhina amanu sallu ‘alayhi wa-sallimu taslima.”
Three actors:
- Allah sends salawat on the Prophet — the divine attribute of salat on the Prophet means: praising him in the highest assembly (mala’ al-a’la), supporting him, showing mercy to him
- The angels join in this salawat
- The believers are commanded to join
The word salat has different meanings when applied to Allah (glorification/mercy) vs angels (intercession) vs humans (supplication). But all three converge in honoring the Prophet.
The Ibrahimiyya — The Tashahhud Formulation
The most common formulation, recited in every prayer’s tashahhud:
“Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa-‘ala ali Muhammadin kama sallayta ‘ala Ibrahima wa-‘ala ali Ibrahima innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammadin wa-‘ala ali Muhammadin kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahima wa-‘ala ali Ibrahima innaka Hamidun Majid.”
Translation: “O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim; You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious. O Allah, grant benedictions to Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You granted benedictions to Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim; You are indeed Praiseworthy, Glorious.”
The key feature: the ali (family) of both Muhammad and Ibrahim is included — making salawat on the Prophet incomplete without salawat on his Ahl al-Bayt.
The Bohra Salawat Practice
The Dawoodi Bohra tradition includes specific salawat formulations that enumerate the Ahl al-Bayt more explicitly:
- The specific Fatimid-period salawat formulations preserved in Bohra liturgy include Ali, Fatima, Hasan, Husayn, and the Imams by name in specific recitations
- The salawat is recited collectively in the masjid after prayers, led by the Imam of prayer
- Special elongated salawat formulations are recited at the beginning and end of wa’az (sermon) as a frame
The classical principle: “Whoever forgets to send salawat on me has forgotten the path to paradise.” (Ibn Majah, various wordings)
See also: Prophet Muhammad, Understanding Namaz, Ahl Al Kisa, Fatima Al Zahra, Bohra History, Adhkar, Muharram Bohra