It is narrated from Abd al-Rahman bin Abi Layla that I met Ka'b bin Ujrah (may Allah be pleased with him), and he said: "Shall I not give you a gift that I heard from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)?" I said: Certainly, do give me that gift. He said: We asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): O Messenger of Allah! How are we to send blessings upon you, that is, the Ahl al-Bayt? He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Say: 'Allahumma salli ala Muhammadin wa ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta ala Ibrahima wa ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma barik ala Muhammadin wa ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta ala Ibrahima wa ala ali Ibrahim, innaka Hamidun Majid' (O Allah, send mercy upon Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and upon the family of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), as You sent mercy upon Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and upon the family of Ibrahim (peace be upon him); indeed You are Praiseworthy, Glorious. O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and upon the family of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and upon the family of Ibrahim (peace be upon him); indeed You are Praiseworthy, Glorious)." Imam al-Hakim says: Imam Muhammad bin Isma'il al-Bukhari has narrated this hadith with this same chain and wording, letter for letter, in his "al-Jami' al-Sahih". I have quoted it here only so that seekers of knowledge may know that the Ahl al-Bayt and the Al (family) are in reality one and the same. And Abu Farwah, that is, Urwah bin al-Harith al-Hamdani, is among the most reliable of the Tabi'in in Kufah.