tashhahud concern

[lewcow]

Bismillah Ir Rahman ir Rahym.

As Salaamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah.

I'm slowly learning Arabic and have found that in the tashhahud, the person in slalat address Muhammad (saws). Translated as "Peace be upon you oh Prophet". This confuses me and brings some concern, since I've been told and have come to the understanding that Allah (swt) is the only One we are to be praying to here. It would make more sense to me if I would adress Allah directly of this matter, saying something in the way of "Allah, please place peace upon Muhammad." (Kind of like what we say in the final blessings upon Muhammad and Ibrahim. Which begin "Allahumma...." and come in the form of a request.)

Do you see what I'm stuck on? What is the wisdom here; why are we instructed to address Muhammad? I've got nothing against Muhammad alayhi salaam, may Allah keep me from any ill sentiment, I just see how exclusive devotion must be for Allah alone. And to address Muhammad in the prayer does not make sense to me. I get a red, no, maybe orange flag. Perhaps I'm missing something, insha'Allah people will explain. I realize that its not like we're supplicating to him, may Allah forbid us all from that. I watched a Bilal Phillips lecture a while back, and remeber him relating that there is an alternative way to say it. Can anyone confirm that with sahih Hadeeth? And is the wording of this 'greeting the prophet' consistent in all the madhabs?

Salaam

Lewis

[not known]

Allahumma = O Allah

we are beginning it with name of Allah, the translation is no way related to the original meaning of durood what we read in prayer.

And Prophet(s.a.s) himself taught how to read durood

and upto my knowledge all madhabs have same thing to read

[abdulwahhab]

The malaika bring our salawat to the Rasool . When we say those words, yes, we are addressing the Prophet himself as our salawat are presented to Nabi by the angels but the belief that he is with us or directly in our presence is wrong.

[abdulwahhab]

Allahumma = O Allah

we are beginning it with name of Allah, the translation is no way related to the original meaning of durood what we read in prayer.

And Prophet(s.a.s) himself taught how to read durood

and upto my knowledge all madhabs have same thing to read

I know the Shafi'is have a slightly modified tashahhud but the specific about addressing the Prophet Muhammad is also present.

[Ma'ruf]

I watched a Bilal Phillips lecture a while back, and remeber him relating that there is an alternative way to say it. Can anyone confirm that with sahih Hadeeth? And is the wording of this 'greeting the prophet' consistent in all the madhabs?

Salaam

Lewis

Salamu alaikum sidi Lewis,

I understand what you're saying - I went through a similar phase myself once! You'll just get over it I'm sure... For me personally, saying salam to al Nabi reminds me to be humble. After all, I didn't take my religion directly from Allah, I received it through Muhammad aleyhi salam, and a large part of the actions of my religion are done at his instruction. The Qur'an does not have too many direct rules in it, most directives come from the Sunnah of the Prophet, and the Qur'an tells us many times to follow the instructions of the Prophet. So wishing peace on the Prophet is a beautiful way to be grateful to Allah for our religion.

I wouldn't worry too much about what Bilal Philips says about this. Sometimes his positions are a little strange compared to what the the main body of Muslims hold. Also, the usual concern with this type of thing is that eventually it might lead to polytheism. Well, as far as I know, no Muslim sect has ever made a god out of our Prophet, alhamdulillah, so I doubt this sentence has the capacity to make us deviate from tawhid.