To Recite Salaat-O-Salaam upon the Holy Prophet (S.A.W)

It is completely within the Shariah to recite Salutations and Blessings upon Allah’s Messenger (S.A.W), as it is evident in the following Quranic verse: "Surely, Allah and His Angels shower their Blessings on the Nabi (Prophet of Allah - the communicator of hidden news). O you who believe! send upon him (Divine) blessings and salute him fully well with best salutation". (Surah al-Ahzab, Part 22, Ayah 56)

In this verse, Allah (S.W.T) at the very outset attributed Salawat (recital of blessings) on our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), first to Himself (Sunnat-i-Ilaahi), then to His Angels (Sunnat-i-Malaa'ika), and after this enjoined on the Muslims (Sunnat-i-Mu'mineen) to do the same.

It is stated in the commentary of the Quran, "Tafseer-i-Rooh al-Bayaan": Some Ulema are of the opinion that the meaning of Allah (S.W.T)’s blessing is to raise Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) to Maqaam-i-Mahmood (Glorious Station), the place from where He (S.A.W) will intercede to Almighty Allah on behalf of his Ummah; the Angels' blessing means their prayer for enhancing the position of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and beseeching forgiveness for his followers. Blessings on the path of the believers, means to obey love and praise Him.

The honour and reverence shown to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) is of a much greater degree than shown to Hazrat Adam (A.S) to whom only Angels were made to bow down (in honour). For in honouring Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), Allah (S.W.T) has also attributed it to Himself, whereas in the case of Hazrat Adam (A.S), Allah (S.W.T) asked only the Angels to show honour.

Prophet (S.A.W) said: "Increase your recitation of Darood on me on Friday, because on this day Angels present themselves to Me. There is no servant of Allah (S.W.T) who recites Salutations upon me, except that his voice reaches me from wherever he is".

The Companions (R.A) asked even after your departure? "Yes after my departure too, because Allah (S.W.T) made it Haraam upon the earth to consume the bodies of the Prophets". (Jila-ul Ifhaam)

"On Fridays recite the Salawat for me repeatedly. The Salawat will be conveyed to me." (Ibn Majah). When it was asked whether the Salawat would be conveyed to him after his Wisaal also, the Prophet (S.A.W) answered, "Soil does not rot Prophets' bodies. Whenever a Muslim says the Salawat for me, an Angel informs me of it and says, 'So and so's son, so and so of your Ummah sent his Salaam and prayed for you."

Allah (S.W.T)’s Messenger (S.A.W) came out and met Hazrat Abu Talha (R.A). The latter rose and went to him saying: "My father and mother be sacrificed for you, O Messenger of Allah! I see joy and delight in your countenance? " He (S.A.W) said: "Yes, for Jibraeel has just come to me saying: 'O Muhammad, whoever among your community invokes blessings upon you once, Allah (S.W.T) records for him ten meritorious deeds, erases from his register ten evil deeds, and raises him ten degrees because of it'."
(al-Sakhawi, al-Qawl al-Badi)

These are just a few AHadith. It is established beyond any doubt that the recitation of Salawat and Salaam has its origin in the Quran and Hadith.