: 21]

Allah—glorified and exalted is He—then made it obligatory for the believers to show sincere devotion to Allah and His Messenger. He informed them that whoever is sincerely devoted to Allah must also be sincerely devoted to His Messenger. He mentioned them together and made no distinction between them. He—glorified and exalted is He—said:

“There is no blame upon the weak, the sick, or those who have nothing to spend, provided they are sincere to Allah and His Messenger. There is no cause for reproach against those who do good, and Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Al-Tawbah: 91]

Allah—glorified and exalted is He—then informed us that whoever betrays the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—is like one who betrays Allah—glorified and exalted is He. He, Most High, said:

“O you who believe, do not betray Allah and the Messenger, nor knowingly betray what has been entrusted to you.” [Al-Anfāl: 27]

He then warned mankind against harming His Messenger, whether during his lifetime or after his death. He informed us that whoever harms the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—is like one who harms Allah—glorified and exalted is He—and that whoever harms Allah and His Messenger deserves to be cursed in this world and the Hereafter. He—glorified and exalted is He—said:

“It is not for you to harm the Messenger of Allah, nor ever to marry his wives after him. That would indeed be a grave offense in the sight of Allah.” [Al-Ahzāb: 53]

And He—glorified and exalted is He—said:

“Those who harm the Messenger of Allah will suffer a painful punishment.” [Al-Tawbah