Salutations on our dear Prophet

It is the duty of every Muslim to recite Durood Sharif, which means Peace Be Upon Prophet Muhammad, as much as possible, especially because it brings us closer to Allah and His Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Durood Sharif is an invocation or a conventionally complimentary phrase which Muslims make after the name of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Not only that, it promotes the love for the holy Prophet which is the soul of faith and a highly rewarding exercise for this world and the hereafter.
Divine blessings on Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the highest and the most meritorious act in our Deen. This divine blessings is called Durood Shareef.
When Almighty Allah sends Durood and Salaams upon Prophet Muhammad (pace be upon him), He is actually blessing him. When the Malaa'ikah and the Muslims send Durood and Salaams, they are actually showing Almighty Allah their respect for the Holy Prophet.
Muslims hope that, through the blessings of the Durood and Salaams, Almighty Allah will forgive them of their sins and increase their status in this world and in the Hereafter. The Malaa'ikah hope that Almighty Allah will increase their status.
Durood is a sure means of Allah Ta'ala granting blessings, peace, prosperity and favours of great magnitude on one who recites Durood Shareef on the Holy Prophet.
The reciter of Durood Shareef receives all the benefits in this world and utmost gain in the next world with addition to the love of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).
The regular recitation of Durood Shareef lifts up our hearts on to a plane of comprehension where we gaze in our new found peace and moral armour.
The reciter of Durood Shareef will, after some time, come to realise by himself that it is the spontaneous outpouring of his heart before the Great Prophet of Islam, whose love and attachment is needed to get all the present day problems solved and obtain mercy in the next world.
The more Durood Sharif we recite, the greater the gain and benefit will be achieved in both the worlds. Shaikh-e-Akbar Mo'inuddin ibn Arabi has stated that, "Those who claim to love and revere the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) should increase their recital of the Durood Shareef in patience and perseverance until, through the mercy of the Prophet, they have the opportunity of witnessing his blessed countenance".
The special and exclusive aspect of this prayer is that Durood Shareef is immediately accepted by Allah Ta'ala. No one can doubt its acceptance, as Durood Shareef is being recited by Allah Ta'ala too. Not only this, but He has revealed this secret in the Holy Quran by saying: Wara fa'na laka zikrah (Have I not exalted thy name).
Muslims are a very fortunate people. Allah chose for them the name of Islam as a religion, declared to be comprehensive and final for mankind. The person chose to deliver this message in this specific form and extra-ordinary style of love and hope was the most beloved of Allah Ta'ala and became the Light of Divinity to be shed upon the entire universe..
Durood Shareef is the panacea of all ills and that if any one comes across a calamity he should recite Durood Shareef in the maximum number. Allah Ta'ala has promised that if anyone recites Durood only once, He showers ten blessings on the reciter immediately.
It is a cardinal duty of every Muslim man and woman, young and old to entertain the highest respect, regard, love and esteem for the Prophet and his family.
For every Durood Shareef that you recite, ten sins are forgiven, ten good deeds are entered into your sheet of actions and ten position are upgraded.
Allah showers ten blessings on the man who recites a Durood.
The first man who will meet the Prophet (peace be upon him) on the Day of Judgement will be that person who had recited the Durood maximum number of times in his life time.
Those who recite Durood in maximum number will be nearest and dearest to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) in the next world.
If any one is involved in a difficulty then he must recite countless number of Durood Shareefs.
Reciting Durood Shareef eradicates poverty and hunger.
If the Sawaab of the Durood Shareef is dedicated to another person, then that person will receive the Sawaab, while the Sawaab of the reciter will not be lessened.
Reciting excessive Durood Shareef brings purity.
Reciting maximum number of Durood Shareef is full compensation of all sins.
Any one who recites excessive Durood Shareef in this world will be safe and sound in the next world.
When a prayer is made to Allah it is never accepted without the praise of Allah Ta'ala and Durood Shareef on the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).
(The writer is a former KT staffer)