How should I send salaams upon the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) when visiting his grave?

Praise be to Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah.

Visiting the Mosque of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is not obligatory, but if you want to travel to Madeenah in order to pray in the Mosque of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), that is Sunnah. When you enter the Mosque, pray first, then go to the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and say: “As-salaamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Allahi wa barakaatuhu, wa sall-Allahu ‘alayka wa ‘ala aalika wa ashaabika (Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. May Allah bless you and your family and companions).” Send lots of blessings and salaams upon him, because it was reported that he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Send blessings upon me, for your blessings will reach me no matter where you are.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, 2042). Then send salaams upon Abu Bakr and ‘Umar, and pray that Allah may be pleased with them. But do not touch the grave or make du’aa’ there; rather move away and make du’aa’ to Allah from wherever you want in the mosque or elsewhere. It was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Do not set out to travel to any mosque except three: al-Masjid al-Haraam [in Makkah], Masjid al-Rasool (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) [the Prophet’s Mosque in Madeenah], and al-Masjid al-Aqsa [in Jerusalem].” (Narrated by Imaam Ahmad, 1751; al-Bukhaari, 1189; Muslim, 1379)

And Allah is the Source of strength. May Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.