Correct meaning of SAW

Submitted by Prashant, Jun 26, 2018 at 16:33

Dear Dr Pipes, after reading DNM's response to reader Bahar from Nigeria, I was prompted to check the meaning of the phrase SAW that Muslims accompany with Muhammad's name. I found that a rough translation of this Arabic phrase is 'May Allah protect Muhammad and his household from derogatory things'. It does not mean as DNM states that Allah should pray Muhammad.

I find it somewhat strange that Muslims need to ask God for providing special protection to a person who already has a divine connection. But so be it. It also appears that Islam is more tied to the person Muhammad than any other religion to any other human. This seems to contradict the Islamic dictum that there is nothing between a human and God. But no real harm done.

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