The Prayer on the Messenger of Allah

Surely Allah and His angels bless the Prophet (He always treats him with His special mercy, with the angels praying to Him to grant him the highest station of praise with Him, and for the decisive victory of his Religion). O you who believe, invoke the blessings of Allah on him, and pray to Allah to bestow His peace on him, greeting him with the best greeting. (Love and follow him with utmost sincerity and faithfulness, and give yourselves to his way with perfect submission). (al-Ahzab 33:56)

681. Abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Do not make my grave a place of celebration. Pray over me. Your prayer reaches me wherever you are.” (Sunan Abu Dawud, Manasik, 97).
684. Abu Humayd as-Saidi, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “They said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, how should we bless you?’ He said, ‘Say, “O Allah, bless Muhammad and his wives and descendants as You blessed Ibrahim. Grant blessing to Muhammad and his wives and descendants as You granted blessing to Ibrahim. You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.’” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Da’awat, 33; Sahih Muslim, Salah, 69).
682. Fadala ibn Ubayd, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, heard a man making supplication in his prayer without glorifying Allah the Almighty or praying for blessing on the Prophet. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, ‘This one was in a hurry.’ Then he called him and said to him—or to someone else—’When one of you prays, he should begin by glorifying his Lord and praising Him, and then pray for blessing on the Prophet. Then he should ask for anything else he wants afterwards.’” (Sunan Abu Dawud, Witr, 23).

Nawawi, Imam. Riyad As-Salihin; The Gardens of the Righteous: A collection of authentic hadiths. Tughra Books Press, Inc. 2014