Grammar/translation of PBUH

[opsimath]

I am learning Arabic late in my life, finding it fascinating but confusing! Often I am given translation of famous phrases which I cannot make to fit with the Arabic. In the case of the famous phrase abbreviated as PBUH can someone tell me what is the grammatical form of the first word Salla (as in Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Salaam). Is it a subjunctive asking Allah for this to happen and does 'alayhi simply mean "upon him" as usually translated. I am assuming that the last two words are simple and mean just "and peace".
Many thanks for any help.

[Imam]

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Wa'alaykum 'Assalam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


All Praise be to Allah who is the Lord of the Worlds, and may Endless Blessings be showered upon His Most Beloved, and Final Messenger of Islam, Hadrat Muhammad Mustafa Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam

The word salla is an amr, usually an order or a command. So the meaning of Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam would be send rahmah (mercy) upon the beloved Messenger of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam.

Then there would be the objection 'how can we order the Almighty?'

The answer to that question is that Allah himself sends mercy upon the beloved Messenger of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam, so by his given tawfiq we ask Him to send His mercy, as we are not as merciful as he is, nor are we in any comparison to Him.

He states:

'Indeed Allah the Almighty and the angels send mercy upon the Beloved Messenger of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam, Oh you who are the believers, send mercy upon Him, and salutations, as much as possible'.

Jazak'allah for your question.





Wallahu A'lamu Biththawaab


M. Waseem Ashrafi