(57–58) “Indeed, those who offend Allah and His Messenger are cursed by Allah in this world and the Hereafter, and He has prepared for them a humiliating punishment. Those who offend believing men and women for something they have not committed bear the guilt of slander and manifest sin.”

After commanding that His Messenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) be revered and that blessings and peace be invoked upon him, Allah Most High prohibited offending him and warned of its consequences, saying: “Indeed, those who offend Allah and His Messenger.” This includes every form of offense, whether by word or deed, such as insulting or reviling him, disparaging him or his religion, or anything else that causes him harm. “They are cursed by Allah in this world”—that is, He has banished and cast them away. One manifestation of His cursing them [in this world] (1) is that it necessitates (2) putting to death anyone who reviles and offends the Messenger.

“And the Hereafter, and He has prepared for them a humiliating punishment.” As recompense for the harm he caused, the offender will himself be made to suffer a painful punishment. Offending the Messenger is not like offending anyone else, for a servant does not believe in Allah until he believes in His Messenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). The Messenger is entitled to a degree of reverence—one of the necessary implications of faith—which demands that he not be treated like anyone else.

Nevertheless, offending the believers is also a grave matter and a serious sin. Hence Allah said: “Those who offend believing men and women for something they have not committed”—that is, without their having perpetrated any offense warranting such harm—“bear” upon their backs “the guilt of slander,” since they harmed them without cause, “and manifest sin,” because they transgressed against them and violated a sanctity that Allah commanded to be respected.