Abbreviations?

Assalamu alaykum,

As a new convert I found it extremely difficult to say properly “assalamu alaykum”… and “sallahu alayhi wa sallam” was even harder!

But now, alhumdullah it has become much easier with practice. Now.. if only I could easily say.. “assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barkatuh”… it is a mouthful!

But language can be an ibadah.

Our speech and our practice of good speech is ibadah.

Our writing and our use of good words are ibadah.

And it is not that difficult really. Just sit down and practice it. It will come, in shaa Allah. Ask Allah for help.

And don’t be lazy. It’s not really that difficult, is it?

Fatwa #1

Question:

Some people write an abbreviated version of the salaams, which is similar to “seen-raa’-baa’” in ‘Arabic. They write “ws wr wb” in English. What is the ruling on this?

Response: by Shaykh Wasee Allaah ‘Abbaas, lecturer at the Ka’bah, instructor at Umm Al-Quraa University in Makkah

It is not permissible to abbreviate the salaams in general in one’s writing, just as it is not permissible to abbreviate the salaah and salaam on the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam).

It is also not permissible to abbreviate either of these in one’s speech.

SOURCE

Fatwa #2

Abbreviating (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) to (S) or (SAW) or the like

Question:

Is it permissible to write the letter (S) [Saad] instead of (writing) ((sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam)), and why?

Response:

The Sunnah is to write the entire phrase ((sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam)) – since it is a supplication; And the supplication is a (form of) worship, such as verbally saying it (the phrase), and the abbreviation for it using the letter (S) [Saad] or (SAW) [Saad 'Ayn Waaw] (or (SAAW) or the like) is not (constitute) a supplication, and nor a (form of) worship, whether it be by speech or writing. And because of this, this abbreviation was not used by those of the first three generations about whom the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) bore witness to their excellence.

And with Allaah lies all success and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions.

SOURCE

Fatwa #3

Muslims are obliged to send Allaah’s Salaah and Salaam upon Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) when his name is mentioned. Allaah has commanded us:

( Verily Allaah and His Angels send salaah on the Prophet. O you who believe! Invoke salaah upon him, as well as a complete salaam! )

And the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) said:

“For each time someone invokes salaah upon me, Allaah writes for him ten good rewards because of it.”

And the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) had described the one who does not send salaah upon him when he is mentioned as “the stingiest of people.” And he exclaimed “Aameen!” to Jibreel’s supplication, “May Allaah repel the one who hears mention of you and does not invoke any salaah upon you!”

So here is the issue that needs to be clarified: Many people use the abbreviation “SAWS” or “PBUH” to fulfill this obligation in their writing. Is this something that fulfills the obligation of sending the salaah and salaam on the Messenger? Let us look now to some of the statements of the scholars regarding this practice:

The Committee of Major Scholars in Saudi Arabia headed by ‘Abdul-’Azeez ibn ‘Abdillaah ibn Baaz issued the following verdict when asked about the validity of abbreviating the salaah on the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam):

“The Sunnah is to write the entire phrase “sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam,” since it is a kind of supplication, and supplication is worship, (in one’s writing) just as it is in one’s speech. So to abbreviate it using the letter SAAD or the word SAAD-LAAM-’AYN-MEEM is not a supplication nor it is worship, whether it occurs in speech or writing. For this reason, this abbreviation was not used by the the first three generations, those that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) testified to their goodness.”

“SAAD” and “SAAD-LAAM-’AYN-MEEM” are often used in some ‘Arabic books. The English equivalents of these abbreviations would be: SAW, SAWS, SAAWS, PBUH, and the likes.

Al-Fayrooza-abaadee said,

“It is not appropriate to use symbols or abbreviations to refer to salaah and salaam, as some of the lazy ones do, as well as some ignorant people and even some students of knowledge – they write ‘SAAD-LAAM-’AYN-MEEM’ instead of writing ’sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam.’”

Ahmad Shaakir said,

“It is the absurd tradition of some of the later generations that they abbreviate the writing of ’sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam.’”

Wasee Allaah ‘Abbaas said,

“It is not permissible to abbreviate the salaams in general in one’s writing, just as it is not permissible to abbreviate the salaah and salaam on the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam). It is also not permissible to abbreviate either of these in one’s speech.”

And Allaah knows best. May the most perfect and complete salaah and salaam be upon our beloved Messenger, and upon his noble family and companions.

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