The Internet is such a beautiful thing. And like a lot of things of beauty; it can be pleasing to our senses or detrimental to our wellbeing. Every now and then we come across people who positively impact your life over the World Wide Web in the quest for beneficial knowledge - Yes! Learning and seeking knowledge is part of your deen. Most times, these are people you may never get to meet in person but we can learn from them. The information provided below (which I take no credit for) is one of such beneficial knowledge. It was immense and i just had to share it. And i believe the majority of those reading this would do too. I found this post which was shared by iHeartAllah - a page worth following if you are into tumblr and stuff. I do believe it was culled from Ibn al-Qayyim's book titled Jalaa ul Afham (very hard to find but i was able to order one...all the way from Australia )

The post is on the importance and reasons why we send salawat to our Prophet Muhammed (SAW). Sending salawat to the Prophet (SAW) is one of his distinguishing characteristics, one which none of the previous Prophets were afforded. Muslims all around the world, five times a day when they call for Adhan and Eqama, during our daily prayers, even when entering and leaving the masjid send their salawat onto the Prophet Muhammed (SAW).

"Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [ Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [ Allah to grant him] peace. Indeed, those who abuse Allah and His Messenger - Allah has cursed them in this world and the Hereafter and prepared for them a humiliating punishment." - Q33:56-57

• It is a direct order by Allah (SWT)
• Allah will in return give you more than what you expected
• Allah will raise you in status to angelic levels
• You add 10 Hasanat to your good deeds
• Allah will raise you 10 levels higher
• You will get 10 Mercies from Allah
• 10 of your sins are forgiven by Allah
• The likelihood of the dua that you make for yourself being accepted increases
• It is a means to receive intercession by the Prophet (SAW) himself
• Salawat is like making Istighfar
• Sending Salawat will satisfy your worldly needs in this dunya
• It compensates for charity if you are financially unable to give charity
•  It is a means of angels sending Salaam on your behalf
•  It is a purifier of your intentions
•  It is a means of receiving glad tidings, that you have a place reserved for you in Jannah
•  It is a means of protection from terror on the day of judgement
•  It is a means of being greeted by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) himself
• In a gathering, it is a means of purifying that meeting and a means of preventing any evil talk
• It helps you remember what you forgot
• It is a means of safe guarding you from poverty
• It removes stinginess from your heart
• It protects you from the evil of others
• It keeps you firm on the Sirat Ul Mustiqeem
• It perfects any speech
• It is a means of light in the darkness of the day of judgement
•  It gives you better character, refines your akhlaq and softens the heart
• It is a means of earning the love of Allah (SWT)
• It is a protection from the Wrath of Allah
• It increases your barakah
• It brings Rahmah into your heart
• It increases the Prophet’s love to you
• It increases your love to RasuluAllah (SAW)
• It lengthen ones life
• Your name will be mentioned to RasuluAllah (SAW)
• It is RasuluAllah's (SAW) right upon you
• It assists in being brought out of Jahannam
• It mentioned the Dhikr of Allah
• According to your level of sincerity, it will measure our distance from the Prophet (SAW) in Jannah.

There are two authentic narration;

"Say: Allahumma salli `ala Muhammadin, wa `ala aali Muhammadin, kama sallaita `ala aali Ibrahima, innaka Hamidum Majid. Allahumma barik `ala Muhammadin, wa `ala aali Muhammadin, kama barakta `ala aali Ibrahima, innaka Hamidum Majid  ---- O Allah, exalt the mention of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as you exalted the family of Ibrahim. You are Praised and Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed the family of Ibrahim. You are Praised and Glorious.”' - Bukhari and Muslim

“Say: `Allahumma salli `ala Muhammadin wa `ala azwajihi wa dhurriyyatihi, kama sallaita `ala Ibrahima; wa barik `ala Muhammadin wa `ala azwajihi wa dhurriyyatihi, kama barakta `ala Ibrahima, innaka Hamidum-Majid ---- O Allah, exalt the mention of Muhammad and his wives and offspring as You exalted the mention of the family of Ibrahim, and bless Muhammad and the wives and the offspring of Muhammad as you blessed the family of Ibrahim. You are the Praised, the Glorious.”  - Bukhari and Muslim