Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.
Sending blessings and peace upon the Prophet (PBUH) is amongst the sublime acts of Sunnah a pious Muslim is keen on observing. Allah the Almighty says, "Lo! Allah and His angels shower blessings on the Prophet. O ye who believe! Ask blessings on him and salute him with a worthy salutation."{Al-Ahzaab, 56}. Several texts of Sharia are agreed on reflecting the virtue of sending blessings upon the Prophet (PBUH). The Messenger (PBUH) said, "Whoever sends salah upon me once, Allah (SWT) will send salah upon him tenfold."{Related by Muslim}.
There is no specific manner or form for sending blessings upon the Prophet (PBUH) since this depends on the situation itself. For example, the one who met him (PBUH) physically differs from the one who visited his grave (PBUH) and prayed next to it. It goes without saying that every Muslim keeps in his/her heart a tremendous amount of love for the Prophet (PBUH), and the companions have recognized this true love (May Allah be pleased with them). A man asked the Prophet (PBUH) about the Hour (i.e. Day of Judgment) saying, "When will the Hour be?" The Prophet (PBUH) said, "What have you prepared for it?" The man said, "Nothing, except that I love Allah and His Apostle." The Prophet (PBUH) said, "You will be with those whom you love." We had never been so glad as we were on hearing that saying of the Prophet (i.e., "You will be with those whom you love.")"{Related by Bukhari}.
The one who misses the Prophet (PBUH) and his love for him has maximized, or remembered his beautiful attributes and noble character; such a person may send salutations, to the Prophet (PBUH) with whoever is visiting his grave or lives near that area. This is the Fatwa of our righteous scholars of the prominent Madhabs. An-Nawawi states, "Even if he entrusted someone to pass his salutations to the Prophet (PBUH). For example, he said, (name) sends blessings upon you or a statement of that kind."{Al-Majmou`, 8/274}. Al-Moossilli, a Hanbali scholar, said, and that person delivered that salutation to the Prophet (PBUH). For example, (name) seeks your intercession with Your Lord, so intercede for him and all Muslims, then that person stands next to the Prophet`s head and sends as many blessings upon him as he likes."{AL-Ikhtiar Li Ta`lil Al-Mokhtaar, 1/176}.
Scholars are of the view that whoever was entrusted with delivering someone`s salutations to the Prophet (PBUH) is obliged to do so out of fulfilling trusts. It is stated in {Shareh Al-Zarkhani Ala Al-Mawahib Al-Ladniah, 12/201}, "If someone had entrusted him with delivering his/her salutations to Prophet (PBUH). For example, say this is a salutation from (name) or (name) sends his salutations to you. Once he agreed to deliver that message, then he is obliged to deliver it, because it is a trust." Also, it was stated in {Matalib Oli Al-Nohaah, 2/442}, "If someone entrusted him with sending salutations to the Prophet (PBUH), then he should say, (name) sends blessings upon you. He is also obliged to deliver that message to be cleared from liability."Moreover, whoever understood the Prophetic biography in terms of wisdom, mercy, tolerance, power, keenness on guiding humanity, expansion in worship, asceticism, knowledge and education will send blessings upon him wholeheartedly.
In conclusion, sending blessings upon the Prophet (PBUH) is recommended and whoever was entrusted with delivering someone`s blessings upon the Prophet (PBUH) is obliged to do so, because this is a trust that must be fulfilled. And In Allah the Almighty knows best.
