Sending prayers on the Prophet collectively

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Q 1: Some Muslims gather after every Salah (Prayer) to send peace and blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him). One of them says: "O Allah! Send Your Blessings on Muhammad and his family", thereupon, the group replies, "Peace and blessings be upon him". The Shaykh again says, "O Allah! Send Your blessings upon Muhammad and his family", and they repeat it again. Afterwards, all of them recite in unison, "O Allah! Send Your Peace and Blessings on our master and Prophet Muhammad, his family; Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds." The Shaykh then recites for them other supplications. When I told them that this is an act of Bid`ah (innovation in religion), they accused me of not (Part No. 2; Page No. 249) loving the Prophet (peace be upon him). These people perform Salah (Prayer) with us in our Masjids (mosques). Therefore, we would like you to clarify whether this act is permissible or not.

A: Sending peace and blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) is permissible and desirable, for Allah says, O you who believe! Send your Salât on (ask Allâh to bless) him (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), and (you should) greet (salute) him with the Islâmic way of greeting (salutation i.e. As-Salâmu ‘Alaikum). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever sends blessings upon me once, Allah will bless them ten times."However, doing this in a group was never practiced by the Salaf (righteous predecessors) of this Ummah (nation based on one creed), which indicates that it is an innovation. It is authentically proven that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Anyone who introduces anything into this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it will have it rejected."May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.