Assalaamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh. In certain salawat, the following is said: '...kama barakta 'ala ali lbrahim fil-'alamin innaka hamidun majid.' Regarding the statement 'fil 'alamin', does this refer to Ibrahim or to Allah ta'ala? Jazakallahu khayran. Thank you.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

The phrase 'Fil-‘Aalameen', meaning 'in the worlds', was reported in some versions of the As-Salah Al-Ibraaheemiyyah (the Ibraaheemic prayer of blessing upon the Prophet). The meaning of the supplication is, 'O Allaah, as You have given evident blessing to Ibraaheem and his family, and exalted their mention, among all the creations (Al-'Aalameen), then also bless Muhammad and his family with the same grace and exalt their mention among all the creations."

Al-Haafith Ibn Hajar said in Al-Fat-h, “The concluding phrase in the Tashahhud “Fil-‘Aalameen” means, “as You have exalted the mention of Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem among all the creations (Al-'Aalameen).”

Some scholars explained the phrase as follows: 'O Allaah, make the prayer of blessing upon Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, everlasting among the creations (Al-'Aalameen).'

Allaah Knows best.