This publication is intended to settle any controversy surrounding the issue of reciting Salawat (Durood) and Salaam [Blessings and Salutations] upon the Holy Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) :
(A) In a standing position (Qiyaam),
(B) Using terms of addressing Rasoolullah (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) directly e.g.. Ya Nabi Salaam 'Alaika !, and
(c) With the thought in mind that Rasoolullah (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) is Haazir and Naazir. 

Words such as Shirk and Bid'a have been attributed to this blessed practice by those who are ignorant of the blessings of reciting Salawat and Salaam and of the true meanings of the words Shirk and Bid'a, thereby leaving certain sectors in the community in a state of utter confusion. These students of the 14th Islamic Century, in their haste to pronounce this noble act as a bid'a, have even ignored the opinion of their own spiritual luminaries, who practiced and advocated this noble act.

The permissibility of reciting Salawat and Salaam is one of the many beliefs which distinguishes the Ahle-Sunnah Wal Jama'at from the other sects of Baatil (Deviation). 

It is our intention to remove the stigma of Bid'a and Shirk attributed to this noble practice by presenting documented proof from the Qur'aan, Sunnah and the great Islamic scholars of the Hijaaz (Arabia), Misr (Egypt), Shaam (Syria) and Indo-Paksubcontinent. 

We have systematically categorized the baseless arguments that have arisen over the years into separate chapters. We, thereafter, answered each argument thereby proving once and for all the permissibility of reciting Salawat and Salaam from Qur'aan, Hadith and by citing examples from books written by the scholars of Deoband.

Excerpt…

15)  Sending Prayers Upon the Prophet (PBUH) is an Essential Means of Instilling Love in the Servant’s Heart for the Messenger of God (PBUH) and It is in Turn a Means of Evoking the Prophet’s (PBUH) Love for their Sender

Al-Tirmidhī relates on the authority of Ibn Masʿūd (R) saying, “The Messenger of God (PBUH) said, ‘The most worthy people of me on the Day of Judgment are those who used to send the most prayers upon me.’”  Ibn Ḥibbān has also transmitted this in his Sahih.

Thus the most worthy people of his (PBUH) love, nearness, and his exclusive intercession are those who used to send the most prayers upon him.

In the Name of Allah, Most Beneficent, Most Merciful

PREFACE

'Abd al-Rahman ibn Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Sabiq al-Din, Jalaluddin al-Suyuti (radi Allahu anhu) was born in 849 A.H./1445. He was a Shafi'i mujtahid Imam, Mufassir, Sufi, Muhammadith - hadith master (Hafiz), and historian, a prolific writer who authored books in virtually every Islamic science. He was raised as an orphan in Cairo and memorized the Holy Quran at 8. Amongst his teachers were Siraj al-Din Bulqini, Sharaf al-Din al-Munawi, Taqi al-Din al-Shamani. He travelled to gain Sacred Knowledge to Damascus, the Hijaz, Yemen, India, Morocco, and the lands south of Morocco, as well as centres of learning in Egypt such as malalla, Dumyat and fayyum.

In this book, the great scholar has shed light on the historical and legal status of the Meelad Shareef in his own characteristic scholarly style. Before forming any opinion on the status of this booklet in imparting knowledge and benefit, first of all consider the illustrious personality of the author. The highly acclaimed "Tafsir al-Jalalain" which he co-authored is still a prescribed textbook in religious institutions and Muslims of all shades of opinion study and teach it, and praise Imam al-Suyuti for this work. Apart from this, his book on Usul al-Tafsir called "al-Itqan fi Ulum al-Quran" became an indispensable source of reference for all later works on the subject. "Al-Badr al-Manshur", his Tafsir of the Holy Quran is referred to as an exemplary Tafsir. On the characteristics and miracles of the Noble Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), his work entitled "al-Kasa'is al-Kubra" has the distinction of being the foremost on this topic and excerpts from it are to be found in the works on Sirah by eminent Imams and Ulama.

It is thus obvious that when such a great religious luminary takes up his pen to write on the Meelad Shareef, i.e. celebrating the Birthday of the Noble Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), the result will be of a unique status and its every word will be a summary of his vast knowledge of Tafsir, Hadith, Fiqh, Usul and history. Thus it would form the conclusive verdict of this subject.

Imam Jalaluddin al-Suyuti (radi Allahu anhu) passed away in Cairo at 60 years of age in 911A.H./1505.

Poem of Visitation to Our Guide the Holy Prophet Muhammad:
"MUSHAAHADAT AL-HAADI MUHAMMAD"
Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa-Alihi wa-Sallam

From a fascicle entitled -al-Mada'ih al-Maqbula al-Muhabbabatu lil-Qulub al-'Amira fi Ziyarat al-Nabi Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa-Sallama wal-Rawdati al-Tahira ("The Agreeable Praises Beloved to Flourishing Hearts in the Visitation of the Prophet and the Pure Rawda") by Shaykh Salih al-Madani al-Azhari (Allah have mercy on him). Ramadan: 1374/1955.

From the library of Mawlana al-Shaykh Nazim al-Haqqani (Allah grant him long life and health). Gifted to him by the author's son, 'Abd al-Malik Salih al-'Umari, director of al-Madrasat al-Bakriyya, al-Qudus al-Sharif.

Translated from Arabic by GF Haddad
Rabi' al-Awwal 1427 /April 2006

Those who were the Prophet's contemporaries are the best source of direct evidence of who he (s) was, what experience they had when they were in his (s) noble presence.  Here are just a few excerpts of their testimonial expressing their sentiments on Rasullullah (s) as translated by Shaykh Gibril Haddad