Abu’l-‘Aaliyah: We ask Allah His (Allah’s) praising him (Rasulullah) among the “higher group” (the Malaikah, the angels)

What’s the meaning of Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam?

• Shaykh ibn al-Uthaymeen rahimahullah states, The best that can be said concerning this is what Abu’l-‘Aaliyah said: The ṣalāh of Allāh upon the Prophet is His praising him among the “higher group” (the angels). So what is meant by Allahumma salli ‘alayhi (O Allāh send Salaah upon him) is: O Allāh, praise him among the higher group, i.e., among the angels who are close to Allāh. Al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 3/163, 164