78- Ruling on sending peace upon the parents of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)
Q: Here, we have a gathering for reciting Dhikr (remembrance of Allah), it is named "The gathering of sending peace upon the Prophet (ﷺ)". We are used to say therein: "May Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon our master Muhammad, and his parents!" Or: " May Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon our master Muhammad, his family, and Companions!" They used to do so following the Imam (the one who leads congregational Prayer). Is this gathering permissible? Please advise us. May Allah reward you well!
A: Asking Allah to sand peace upon the parents of the Prophet (ﷺ) is not permissible, since they died in Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic time of ignorance). Therefore, it is not permissible to ask Allah to send peace upon them or make Dua`a' for them. He (ﷺ) said: "I asked My Lord for permission to make Istighfar (seeking forgiveness from Allah) for my mother, but He did not permit me." He (ﷺ) also told a man who asked him about his father: "My father and yours are in the Hellfire." Therefore, it is not permissible to ask Allah to send peace upon them, or make Du'a' (supplication) for them, but you can send peace upon the Prophet (ﷺ) by saying: (O Allah! send peace upon Muhammad, O Allah! send peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, or upon our master Muhammad, this is good. Furthermore, the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Anyone who sends peace upon me once, Allah sends peace upon them ten times." This is not confined to a certain period of time. As for designating special gatherings to send peace upon the Prophet (ﷺ) out loud collectively, this has no origin. Yet, if you hear someone asking Allah to send peace and blessings upon the Prophet, you should do the same. Also, if you hear someone mentioning the Prophet (ﷺ) while you are on your way, at home, or in the Masjid (mosque); you should ask Allah to send peace and blessings upon him (ﷺ) as well. This is because the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Anyone who (asks Allah to) send peace and blessings upon me, Allah will send peace upon them ten times." In addition, Allah (Exalted be He) says in His Glorious Book, the Noble Qur`an: "Allah sends His Salat (Graces, Honours, Blessings, Mercy) on the Prophet (Muhammad ﷺ), and also His angels (ask Allah to bless and forgive him). O you who believe! Send your Salat on (ask Allah to bless) him (Muhammad ﷺ ) him with the Islamic way of greeting (salutation i.e. As-Salamu 'Alaikum)." May Allah's Peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions! Moreover, if you say: "O Allah! Send peace and blessings upon Muhammad, his family, and Companions, " or "O Allah! Send peace and blessings upon Muhammad, his wives and offspring," all these are good ways for sending peace and blessings upon the Prophet (ﷺ) and his family. But to mention his parents; this is not permissible. His parents should not be mentioned in the Dua`a, but peace should be designated to the Messenger (ﷺ) since his parents did not embrace Islam. Thus, they are not included among his family i.e., Muslim members of his family and his followers for they are also included among his family. His good family includes Fatimah, his wives, `Aly, Al-Hassan, Al-Hussayn and others among those who embraced Islam from Banu Hashim. Yet, his parents are not of his family who are included in sending peace or making Dua`a since they died embracing the religion of Jahiliyyah.
[Vol. 1, Page No. 203-204]