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

:salam2:


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.



The Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Fataawa, comprising -
Head: Shaykh 'Abdul 'Azeez Ibn Abdullaah Ibn Baaz;
Member: Shaykh 'Abdur-Razzaaq 'Afeefee;
Member: Shaykh 'Abdullaah Ibn Ghudayyaan;
Member: Shaykh 'Abdullaah Ibn Qu'ood
Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa.imah lil-Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa., - Volume 12, Page 208, Question 3 of Fatwa No.5069


Source:Fatwa-Online - Enjoining the good and forbidding the evil

Asalaamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatahu,

JazakAllah khayr for the post.

I thought I would share that I asked a very trustworthy student of knowledge who is currently studying in the faculty of Hadeeth in Medinah a similar question. I asked him that when I take notes during lectures/classes etc it is difficult for me to write salAllahu aleyhi wassalaam and keep up with taking notes on the subject matter.

His answer to my memory was that I should say salAllahu aleyhi wassalaam when I write the name of the prophet salAllahu aleyhi wassalaam. And that this was the practice of imam Ahmad rahimahullah. (Although I do not have a particular source of evidence for this but if I find it in the future I will share)