The Etiquette of Greeting the Prophet

The Etiquette of Greeting the Prophet
“In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”

On the horizon of Madinah, in the rose-scented morning of the Rawda, the heart should fold its hands in reverence...
For greeting him (peace be upon him) is not merely words from the lips, but a flower of submission blossoming from the deepest part of the heart.

Entering Through the Gate of Reverence

One approaches the presence of the Prophet (peace be upon him) first with the clarity of intention.
The greeting must be the language of a heart cleansed of arrogance and purified from the dust of the ego.
When you reach the gate, know that it is not just stone walls; it is a sacred place wet with the tears of the Companions and shaded by the wings of Jibrîl.

The Meaning of the Greeting

“Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah...”
This phrase is not just an address—it is the pledge of the soul to its Master.
Such a greeting transcends time, reaching that blessed place in Madinah and descending into the luminous presence of centuries past.
To greet him is to join the ranks of the martyrs of Uhud, to share in the supplication of Badr: “O Lord! Do not leave them alone.”

The Posture of the Heart

When offering the greeting, the eyes lower the veil of reverence, while the heart opens wide the gates of love.
The lips utter words, but it is truly the heart that speaks.
To honor him is not only in his presence, but in living every moment of life in the shade of his Sunnah.

The Silence of Tranquility

In the presence of the Prophet (peace be upon him), voices are not raised.
The Companions considered speaking softly before him as part of their faith.
For a loud voice is like a wave that disturbs the sea of love.
Sometimes the greeting is hidden in silence; sometimes a tear conveys a greeting clearer than a thousand words.

After the Greeting

Greeting the Prophet (peace be upon him) does not end there; it begins.
To follow his path, to embrace his character, to carry his trust...
The greatest completion of the greeting is a life lived upon his Sunnah.

O Heart!

Know that greeting him (peace be upon him) is not only beneath the green dome of the Rawda;
it is possible at every dawn, at every call to prayer, with every step of goodness.

And remember: a greeting offered to him (peace be upon him) is accepted before Allah like a prayer.
For our Lord declares:
“Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet.
O you who believe! Send blessings upon him and greet him with full submission.” (Al-Ahzâb, 56)

— Özer Akpınar
Researcher & Historian