has been reported from Mālik, if the attribution is sound, and was also held by a group of Ahmad’s followers and others.

They may cite in support of this the report narrated by al-Khallāl and Tammām, which states that he was asked about Muhammad’s family and replied:

“Every God-fearing believer.”

This hadith is fabricated and has no basis.

The point here is that it is authentically established that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) sometimes said:

“and upon Muhammad’s family,”

and at other times said:

“and upon his wives and his descendants.”

Whoever uses either wording, or alternates between them, has done well. But whoever combines them has departed from the Sunnah. Moreover, doing so is unsound from a rational standpoint, since one wording substitutes for the other, and a substitute is not combined with what it replaces. Anyone who reflects upon what he is saying and understands it will recognize this.

As for the judgment on this matter, we may say: whenever the expression “the family of so-and-so” occurs without qualification in the Quran and Sunnah, it includes that person himself, as in Allah’s words:

“Indeed, Allah chose Adam and Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of ‘Imrān above all people.”

And His words:

“Except the family of Lot, whom We saved before dawn.”

And His words:

“Admit Pharaoh’s people into the severest punishment.”

And His words:

“Peace be upon Il Yāsīn.”

Another example is the statement of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace):

“O Allah, bestow blessings upon the family of Abū Awfā.”

The same applies to the expression “members of the household,” as in the words of Allah Most High:

“May Allah’s mercy and blessings be upon you, O members of the household.”

Abraham is included among them. Likewise, his statement:

“Whoever wishes