Title: More on Supplications for the Prophet (pbuh) Question/Comments: Thank you very much for your response. May God reward you and all those who are behind 'Understanding Islam'. You clarified that reciting Darood is not a religious ritual but it is a supplication for the Prophet (pbuh). But how about the authenticity of the following hadiths ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh). [I'm sorry I don't have reference at hand]: Whoever does not recite Darood on hearing my name is a miser. Prophet said Ameen thrice while raising on the pulpit. When the people asked him the reason, he said that Gabriel appeared before him and said ".... May Allah's curse be upon those who do not recite Darood on hearing Prophet's name" and many hadiths regarding the great reward for reciting Darood . I've seen many Muslims sitting in corner of the mosque and reciting Darood relentlessly just like remembering Allah. Are all these practices authorized in Islam? Naina Answer: I have not yet worked closely on the reliability of the chain of narrators of the referred sayings. Nevertheless, if seen in the light of the related directive of the Qur'an, it seems that the referred narratives are an extension of the directive of the Qur'an. The mention of Prophet's name should be a stimulus and a reminder for a Muslim to offer supplications for the Prophet (pbuh). Those, who refuse to offer supplications for the Prophet (pbuh) even at being reminded of it, by the mention of his name, in effect, refuse to carryout the directive of the Qur'an. This seems to be the implication of the first two kinds of narratives. As for the third kind of narrative, it is clear that offering supplications for the Prophet (pbuh), being a directive of the Qur'an, is clearly a deed that would be rewarded. As long as offering supplications for the Prophet (pbuh) is not given a shape similar to a worship ritual - whereby, the number, the timing or style etc. of offering such supplications is sought to be determined and prescribed - it should be seen as within the allowable limits of the Islam. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad April 15, 2002