Wa `alaykum as-salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

 

It is obligatory at least at regular prayers to ask Allah to shower peace upon the Prophet and to pray Allah to bless him. The former is called salam while the latter is called salah.  Allah says what means, “Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace.”  (Al-Ahzab 33:56)

 

According to the report of Ibn Mas`ud, the Prophet has been reported as saying, “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: ‘Allah (peace be upon him) has angels who travel around on Earth conveying to me the Salams of my Ummah.'” (An-Nasa’i)

 

According to another hadith, Abdullah ibn Mas`ud said, “Before the tashahhud was enjoined, when we prayed we used to say: ‘Peace (As-Salam) be upon Allah (peace be upon him), peace be upon Jibril, peace be upon Mika’il.’ The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: ‘Do not say this, for indeed Allah (peace be upon him), the Mighty and Sublime, is As-Salam. Rather say: “At-tahiyyatu lillahi wasalawatu wat-tayibat, as-salamu ‘alaika ayah-Nabiyyu wa rahmatAllahi wa baraktuhu. As-salamu ‘alaina a ‘ala ibad illahis-salihin, ashadu an la ilaha ill Allah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluhu. (All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah. Peace be upon you O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah. I bear witness that that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger.)” (Al-Bukhari An-Nasa’i)

 

Furthermore, it has been narrated from Fatimah, the daughter of the Messenger  who said, “When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) entered the mosque, he would say, ‘Bismillah wa’l-salam ‘ala Rasool-illah. Allahumma ighfir li dhunoobi waftah li abwab rahmatika (In the name of Allah, and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, forgive me my sins and open to me the gates of Your Mercy).’ And when he exited he would say, Bismillah wa’l-salam ‘ala Rasool-illah. Allahumma ighfir li dhunoobi waftah li abwab fadlika (In the name of Allah, and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, forgive me my sins and open to me the gates of Your Bounty).’” (Ibn Majah)

 

It was also narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There is no one who sends salams upon me, but Allah will restore to me my soul so that I may return his salams.” (Abu Dawud)

 

Therefore, it is obligatory to send salams and to invoke du`aa’ for the Prophet during regular obligatory and supererogatory prayers, when visiting his grave, at his absence or in his presence.

 

Sending salam means that you ask Allah to make the Prophet free from all deficiencies and shortcomings. Salah means asking Allah to bestow eternal and increased good on him and to glorify his mention.

 

Allah Almighty knows best.