To Read Darood Shareef Before and After Azaan

Some people say that it is Bidah (innovation) to read the Darood Shareef before and after the Azaan.

The Ahle Sunnah Wal Jamaat believes that it is permissible to recite the Darood Shareef before and after the Azaan. This is a current practice in many of the Arab countries.

The following Quranic verse commands us to send Darood and Salaam upon the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) and no specified time has been set aside for this. Allah (S.W.T) says: "Surely, Allah and his Angels showers their blessings on the Nabi (Prophet of Allah, communicator of hidden news), O you who believe! Send upon Him (divine) blessings and salute Him fully well with best salutation." (Part 22, Ayah 56)

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said that when we hear the voice of the Mu'azzin, we should repeat whatever he has said and then send Darood Shareef upon him. He (S.A.W) said that the person who sends one Darood upon him, Allah (S.W.T) will send ten mercies upon that person. (Sahih Muslim, Al-Qaulul Badi)

In this Hadith Shareef, proof is found that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) asked us to recite the Darood Shareef after the Azaan.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said: "If, when performing any good deed you do not commence with the praise of Allah (S.W.T) and send Darood upon me, then that deed is empty of blessings." (Al Jaame Sagheer)

In fact it was Hazrat Salahud'deen Ayubi (R.A) who gave the command of Darood Shareef to be recited before and after the Azaan. Hazrat Salahud'deen Ayubi (R.A) was a very great and pious King who liberated the Baitul Muqaddas. Great Muhaqiqeen and Muhaditheen made Dua’s for him.

Hazrat Qaazi Iyaz (R.A) said that it is permissible to read Darood Shareef at the time of Azaan. He says, "And from among the occasions on which Darood should be sent, one of them is at the time of remembering him (Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W)), when taking or writing his blessed name or at the time of Azaan."(Shifa Shareef)

Hazrat Mulla Ali Qaari (R.A) in his book "Fathul Mueen" says that Darood should not only be recited before Azaan, but also before the Iqaamah.

Sheikh Kabeer Bakari (R.A) has stated that it is desirable to recite Salaat-O-Salaam before the Azaan and the Iqaamah.

This proves to recite Darood Shareef before and after the Azaan is totally permissible.