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Fatwa CenterAsking Allaah to exalt the mention of other than the prophets
Question
Assalaamu ‘Alaykum,
Is it permissible to say, “May Allaah exalt his/her mention” after mentioning ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib, Faatimah Az-Zahraa’, Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn?
Thank you.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alyhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
The scholars have provided different views regarding specifying persons other the prophets with conferring Salah and Salaam (saying: «‘Alayhi As-Salah» and «‘Alayhi as-Salaam» when the person is mentioned). Most scholars are of the view that doing so is disliked under the Sharee’ah for two reasons:
First: The righteous predecessors only used this for the prophets.
Second: This is the slogan of the innovators in religion and we are forbidden to follow their example.
Commenting on Saheeh Muslim, An-Nawawi 
said,
The Shaafi‘i scholars stated that saying, “May Allaah exalt his mention,” should not be used for other than the prophets unless these people were mentioned along with them. That is because the righteous predecessors used this only for the prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention. This is similar to specifying Allaah by saying “The Almighty”. Even if he is exalted and noble, we do not say: Muhammad “the Almighty”. Likewise, it is not said: Abu Bakr, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam , even if the meaning is valid.
Shaafi‘i scholars provided three different views whether doing so is disliked, prohibited or just a manner of politeness. The soundest and famous view is that it is disliked because it is the slogan of the innovators in religion and we are forbidden from following their example…..”
An-Nawawi added,
Abu Muhammad Al-Juwayni, a prominent Shaafi‘i scholar, stated that saying, “May Allaah exalt his mention” is like saying, “May peace be upon him,” (As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum) and the latter should not be conferred upon a person except if he is present… Saying, “May Allaah exalt his mention” is included in the meaning of, “May peace be upon him”. Accordingly, it should not be conferred upon one who is not present, for those who can be specified by this are the prophets. It should not be said, “Ali 
.” This applies to both the dead and the living. Nevertheless, it is permissible to use it with a person who is present by saying, “Peace be upon you” (i.e. As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum). The scholars unanimously agree on this.”
Commenting on Soorat Al-Ahzaab, Ibn Katheer quoted what An-Nawawi said and then added,
“It is dominant in many scholars’ writings to specify ‘Ali with “‘Alayhi As-Salaam ,” or “Karram Allaahu Wajhah (may Allaah honor his face)» unlike other Companions. Even if the meaning is sound and accepted, there should be equity among the Companions in this respect, for this is a kind of exaltation and honoring. Abu Bakr, ‘Umar and ‘Uthmaan would be worthier of this than ‘Ali 
all.”
To conclude: ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib, Faatimah Az-Zahraa’, Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn should not be given preference by saying “‘Alayhi As-Salah (may peace be upon them)” or “‘Alayhi As-Salaam (may Allaah exalt their mention)”. Rather, they are like other Companions and we should say for all of them, “May Allaah be pleased with them”.
It is disliked under the Sharee’ah to use the supplication phrase “‘Alayhi as-Salah (may peace be upon him)”” or “‘Alayhi as-Salaam ” for anyone other than the prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention.
Allaah Knows best.
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