Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
Some people say when they admire something: “Ya Salat an-Nabi” or “Ya Salati ‘ala an-Nabi.” In principle, this is not considered a supplication to the Prophet ﷺ or a plea for his help, as long as the person saying it does not intend to ask him for benefit or protection from harm.
Scholars have differed regarding sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ at moments of surprise or admiration. Some scholars disliked doing so in this particular context, while others considered it permissible. However, it is not a specific Sunnah that has been prescribed for when a person sees something that impresses him.
When you admire something, what is prescribed is to pray for blessing (barakah) for it.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“If any one of you sees something in his brother that he admires, let him pray for blessing for him.”
Narrated by Ibn Majah.
In the story of Sahl ibn Hunayf (may Allah be pleased with him), when he was affected by the evil eye, the Prophet ﷺ said to the person who had looked at him with admiration:
“Why did you not pray for blessing when you saw something that pleased you?”
Therefore, when a person sees something he admires, it is prescribed to pray for blessing, such as saying: “Allahumma barik” (O Allah, bless it) or another similar supplication asking for blessing.
The mere presence of the word “Ya” does not necessarily mean that the person is calling upon the Prophet ﷺ or seeking his help. Rather, the meaning of the expression and the speaker’s intention must be considered.
If the phrase is merely a customary expression people use when admiring something, and the person does not intend to seek aid, benefit, or protection from harm from the Prophet ﷺ, then it is not treated as a plea for help directed to him.
However, supplicating to the Prophet ﷺ and asking him for something that only Allah can do—such as asking him to remove distress or provide supernatural help in matters that only Allah has power over—is a different matter. Supplication must not be directed to anyone other than Allah Almighty.
Allah says:
“Is He [not best] who responds to the desperate one when he calls upon Him and removes evil?”
[An-Naml 27:62]
Saying “Ya Salat an-Nabi” when admiring something is not, in itself, considered a supplication to the Prophet ﷺ or a plea for his help.
Scholars have differed regarding sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ at moments of surprise or admiration. The closer view is that it is permissible in principle, but it is not the prescribed remembrance mentioned in the Sunnah for this particular situation.
The Sunnah when seeing something one admires is to pray for blessing, such as saying: “Allahumma barik” (O Allah, bless it).
And Allah knows best.