What to intend at “al-salamu ‘alayka” in the tashahhud

Question

Question: I once saw in “al-Jawhara al-Nayyira” that in the tashahhud, when saying “al-salamu ‘alayka”, one should have in mind the recounting (hikaya) of the greeting that took place during the Mi‘raj. In Shami the opposite is written: one should have in mind originating the greeting oneself (insha’), not reporting (ikhbar) and recounting (hikaya). Which of these two views is correct?

Answer

The view of Shami seems closer [to the truth]. The address [in the tashahhud] is not made regarding [the Prophet ﷺ] as present and seeing (hadir-nazir), but under the belief that [the greeting] is conveyed through the angels — just as someone is addressed in a letter: there is no belief that the addressee is present, but rather the belief that the letter will reach the…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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