: 61]

And He—glorified and exalted is He—said:

“Indeed, those who harm Allah and His Messenger are cursed by Allah in this world and the Hereafter, and He has prepared for them a humiliating punishment.” [Al-Ahzāb: 57]

Allah—glorified and exalted is He—then informed us that whoever sets himself against the Messenger in enmity has thereby set himself against Allah—glorified and exalted is He. He—glorified and exalted is He—said:

“You will never find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day showing affection to those who oppose Allah and His Messenger.” [Al-Mujādilah: 22]—to the end of the verse.

And He—glorified and exalted is He—said:

“Do they not know that whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger will have the Fire of Hell, remaining therein forever? That is the supreme disgrace.” [Al-Tawbah: 63]

Our gracious Lord then informed us that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—has a greater claim upon the believers than they have upon themselves. Whenever he commands them concerning any matter, they must accept what he commands, and they have no choice except what His Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—chooses for them concerning their families, their wealth, and their children. The Majestic and Mighty said:

“The Prophet has a greater claim upon the believers than they have upon themselves, and his wives are their mothers.” [Al-Ahzāb: 6]

And He—glorified and exalted is He—said:

“It is not for any believing man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, to retain any choice in their affair.” [Al-Ahzāb: 36]—to the end of the verse.

Allah—glorified and exalted is He—then raised the rank of His Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—added further honor to the honor already bestowed upon him, and favored him above the rest of creation by forbidding everyone to marry his wives after his death. Likewise,