Questions sometimes arise about the ruling on sending blessings upon Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, during buying and selling, and whether doing so should be considered a religious innovation.
Sending blessings upon the Prophet is one of the virtuous acts of worship encouraged in Islam. A Muslim may send blessings upon him in many situations, provided the intention is remembrance, worship, and seeking the reward of Allah.
However, the ruling can differ when the phrase is used for a purely commercial purpose, such as promoting an item, attracting customers, or making a poor-quality product appear better than it actually is.
What Is the Ruling on Sending Blessings Upon the Prophet During Trade?
Sending blessings upon Prophet Muhammad during buying and selling is permissible in principle when the intention is to remember Allah, honor His Messenger, seek reward, and hope for blessing.
It should not automatically be described as a bid'ah simply because it takes place in a marketplace or during a commercial transaction. The general command to send blessings upon the Prophet is not restricted to one particular location unless there is evidence establishing such a restriction.
Some Muslims have traditionally sent blessings upon the Prophet during commercial interactions as an expression of remembrance and seeking blessing.
Is Sending Blessings Upon the Prophet During a Sale a Bid'ah?
It is not considered a bid'ah merely because it is said while buying or selling, provided that the intention is worship and remembrance.
The important considerations include the intention behind the act and the way the religious expression is being used.
The Virtue of Sending Blessings Upon the Prophet
Sending blessings upon Prophet Muhammad is among the virtuous acts strongly encouraged in the Quran and Sunnah.
Allah says:
“Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe, send blessings upon him and greet him with peace.”
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, also said:
“Whoever sends blessings upon me once, Allah sends blessings upon him ten times.”
These teachings demonstrate the great virtue and significance of sending blessings upon the Prophet.
Sending Blessings and Supplication
It has been reported from Umar ibn Al-Khattab that supplication remains between heaven and earth and does not rise until blessings are sent upon the Prophet.
For this reason, many Muslims begin and end their supplications with blessings upon the Prophet, seeking acceptance, mercy, and divine favor.
When Does Sending Blessings During Trade Become Disliked?
The situation changes when the purpose is no longer genuine remembrance and worship but rather commercial promotion.
Using Blessings to Promote a Product
If a seller sends blessings upon the Prophet while displaying a product with the intention of suggesting that the product is especially good or superior, scholars have discussed this practice as disliked because the religious expression is being used as a commercial promotional tool.
Attracting Customers
If blessings upon the Prophet are deliberately used to attract attention to a seller's merchandise, this can become problematic when the remembrance is treated as a marketing technique rather than genuine worship.
Promoting Poor-Quality Products
The matter becomes even more serious if religious expressions are used to make defective or poor-quality merchandise appear desirable or to conceal its shortcomings.
Religious remembrance should not be used as a tool for deception or misleading customers.
What Is the Difference Between Remembrance and Commercial Promotion?
The intention and manner of use are central to understanding this issue.
If a seller or buyer sends blessings upon the Prophet seeking Allah's pleasure, reward, and blessing, there is no inherent problem with doing so.
But if the primary intention is to promote merchandise, attract customers, or create the impression that a product is of high quality, the practice may become disliked because the remembrance has been turned into a commercial device.
Actions Are Judged by Their Intentions
One of the important principles in Islamic jurisprudence is that actions are connected to their intentions.
Therefore, every instance of sending blessings upon the Prophet during buying and selling should not necessarily be given the same ruling without considering the person's intention and the circumstances.
An act can be genuine worship in one situation and a form of commercial promotion in another.
Sending Blessings Upon the Prophet in Markets
Muslims in Egypt and elsewhere have traditionally remembered Allah and sent blessings upon the Prophet in marketplaces and during everyday transactions.
Expressions of remembrance and blessings upon the Prophet have historically appeared in daily interactions, including commercial settings.
If a transaction does not ultimately take place, this does not invalidate the reward of remembrance when the person sincerely intended worship and sought the pleasure of Allah rather than commercial benefit.
Is It Permissible to Send Blessings During a Sale?
It is permissible to send blessings upon Prophet Muhammad during a sale when it is done as genuine remembrance and does not involve a prohibited practice or an attempt to manipulate the buyer.
The remembrance should not be turned into a method for concealing defects, misleading customers, or creating an unjustified impression about the quality of merchandise.
Conclusion
Sending blessings upon Prophet Muhammad during buying and selling is permissible in principle when it is done as genuine worship, remembrance, and a means of seeking reward and blessing.
However, using blessings upon the Prophet to promote merchandise, attract customers, or suggest that poor-quality products are better than they actually are can be considered disliked because of the intention and manner of use.
Therefore, the ruling is not based merely on saying blessings upon the Prophet in a marketplace. The intention and purpose behind the remembrance are also important.
Is sending blessings upon the Prophet while buying and selling a bid'ah?
No. It is not considered a bid'ah when it is done as genuine remembrance and worship rather than as a commercial marketing technique.
Can a seller send blessings upon the Prophet while displaying merchandise?
Yes, if the intention is genuine remembrance and seeking reward. Using it specifically to promote the merchandise is a different matter.
Can sending blessings upon the Prophet bring blessing?
Sending blessings upon the Prophet is a highly virtuous act of remembrance, and a Muslim may seek Allah's pleasure, reward, and blessing through it.
When is it disliked during a sale?
It may be disliked when it is used to promote merchandise, attract customers, or create a misleading impression about a poor-quality product.
Does the reward remain if the sale does not happen?
Yes, when the person sent blessings upon the Prophet sincerely for worship and reward, the remembrance is not dependent on whether the commercial transaction is completed.
