“…and playing.” Say, “Was it Allah, His verses, and His Messenger that you were mocking? Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after your belief.” [al-Tawbah: 65–66]

For reviling Allah—Exalted is He—is a disparagement of Him and thus a ruinous loss. Whoever disparages Allah by his words, actions, or in his heart is therefore a disbeliever, for faith means belief in Allah—Exalted is He—and in His perfect attributes and complete lordship. Thus, whoever reviles Allah is a disbeliever, even if he says, “I said it only in jest, not seriously.” We say: This is even uglier—that you should make Allah Most High the object of mockery, jest, and ridicule.

His statement, “or His Messenger”: likewise, whoever reviles the Messenger—may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him—is a disbeliever.

The expression “His Messenger” should be understood as a singular noun in construct form, so that it encompasses all messengers. Whoever reviles any one of the messengers is a disbeliever, because this is not merely a disparagement of the messenger personally; rather, it is a disparagement of his message, which is revelation, and it also entails disparagement of the One who sent him. Thus, reviling a messenger is reviling the One who sent him. For there is no doubt that it would be a deficiency for a human being to be sent to creation while being permitted to shed their blood, seize their wealth, and take their offspring; such a matter would be sheer folly. Hence Allah—Exalted is He—says:

“Allah knows best where to place His message.” [al-An‘am: 124]

He—Glorified and Exalted is He—places the message only with one who is worthy and deserving of it, because He knew in His prior knowledge that he was fit to bear what he would be charged with. Not everyone is qualified for prophethood. For this reason, al-Saffarini—may Allah have mercy on him—said, quoting him by way of corroboration rather than proof:

The rank of prophethood is not attained
Through acquisition, refinement, or chivalry.