"Is Al-Shafi'i's conclusion that the minimum requirement for sending blessings upon the Prophet in prayer is ""Allahumma salli ala Muhammad"" his own interpretation, and is the prayer valid if the worshipper limits themselves to that? "

Scholars have differed regarding the ruling on sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ during the final Tashahhud in prayer. Imams Abu Hanifa and Malik held that it is Sunnah (recommended), and the prayer remains valid without it. On the other hand, Imam al-Shafi‘i and those who agreed with him, such as Imam Ahmad, held that it is obligatory and that the prayer is invalid without it.

Imam al-Shafi‘i based his opinion on the verse: "Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who have believed, ask \[ Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask \[ Allah to grant him] peace." He understood this command as one of obligation.

According to him and those who share his view, the minimum acceptable form is saying: “O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad.” Anything beyond that is considered Sunnah (recommended). The full version known as the “Ibrahimic prayer” (Salat al-Ibrahimiyya) is considered Sunnah by all four Imams, and it is not a condition for the validity of the prayer.

Thus, limiting oneself to the phrase “O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad” suffices according to those who deem it obligatory, and the prayer is valid accordingly—and all the more so according to those who do not consider it obligatory at all.

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