Commentary on the Abrahamic Prayer (al-Salat al-Ibrahimiyya)

Title: Commentary on the Abrahamic Prayer (al-Salat al-Ibrahimiyya): Volume Two
Author: Imam Yusuf b. Isma‘il al-Nabahani
ISBN: 978-0-620-556415
Publisher: Ihsanica Media (South Africa)

Of the supplications recited by Muslims around the world, perhaps the most oft-repeated are the supplications connected with the five daily prayers, among which is the closing supplication called the al-Salat al-Ibrahimiyya, or the Abrahamic prayer, which extols our master Muhammad Seal of the prophets SAW, his purified family, and links him to Prophet Ibrahim AS, described in the Quran as “a nation unto himself”.
This commentary on the Abrahamic prayer, taken from sheikh Yusuf al-Nabahani’s Sa‘adat al-darayn fi al-salat ‘ala Sayyid al-kawnayn (Felicity in the Two Abodes Through Prayers upon the Master of the Two Realms – may Allah bless him and grant him peace), examines each phrase of the closing supplication and shed light on their inner and other meanings. What does it mean to “send prayers” upon the prophet SAW? What is the meaning of the name Muhammad SAW and what are its unique features? Who are the prophet Muhammad’s SAW family and why are they mentioned in our prayer? Why is prophet Ibrahim AS included in the supplication? And what is the meaning of blessings when it comes to the master of the first and last? These questions and more are discussed in this work, with sheikh Yusuf al-Nabahani’s noted spiritual depth, love, and erudition, and is sure to provide the reader with a deeper appreciation and understanding of the subtleties and meanings of the supplication, and bring in turn, Allah SWT willing, an improvement in one’s prayers.

Imam Yusuf b. Isma‘il al-Nabahani (1265–1350 ah), hadith scholar, Sufi, jurist, judge, and biographer, was born in Beirut, Lebanon. A prolific author, al-Nabahani left behind a staggering collection of works in hadith, fiqh, theology, and most famously, poetry and prose in praise of our master Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). Al-Nabahani was a paragon of prophetic love (‘ishq) and his works continue to exercise a profound influence on popular Muslim spirituality.