What Is the Virtue of Salat Al-Fatih?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
What is the view of Islamic scholars on the concept of the durood called “Salat al-Fatih” and the claims about the virtues of Salat al-Fatih?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah guide us to that which pleases Him, Amin.
The Salat al-Fatih or Durud Fatih is a form of salawat (prayer for blessings) upon the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). As a form of salawat, it is recommended (mandub) to recite it and any form of permissible prayers upon the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).
The Salat al-Fatih’s form has not originated verbatim from the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) but from the inspirational teachings of the pious. The virtues attributed to it are based on the experiences of those who teach and practice it regularly, and Allah knows best.
What Is the Salat Al-Fatih?
Salat Al-Fatih is also known as Durud Fatih, especially in the Indian subcontinent. This litany was reportedly transmitted by the Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Abi al-Hasan al-Bakri, a descendant of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him).
It is also attributed to Shaykh Ahmad al-Tijani, the founder of the Tijaniyya Sufi order. Millions of Tijaniyya adherents (murids) recite this prayer as part of their daily litany.
The Salat Al-Fatih
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ ❁ الْفَاتِحِ لِمَا أُغْلِقَ ❁ وَالْخَاتِمِ لِمَا سَبَقَ ❁ نَاصِرِ الْحَقِّ بِالْحَقِّ ❁ وَالْهَادِي إِلَىٰ صِرَاطِكَ الْمُسْتَقِيمِ ❁ وَعَلَىٰ آلِهِ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ وَمِقْدَارِهِ الْعَظِيمِ
O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammad, the opener of what was closed, and the seal of what had preceded, the helper of the truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path. May Allah send prayers upon his Family according to his greatness and magnificent rank.
For more information about the above salawat, please refer to “The Muhammadan Litanies: Prayers upon the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) for Invocation and Reflection”— From the works of Shaykh Yusuf Al-Nabahani. Translation and Notes by Abdul Aziz Suraqah.
I pray this is of benefit.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and pursuing his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
