to help you against Allah. I have conveyed the message to you.’”

It is also authentically reported that he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“O Fātimah, daughter of Muhammad, I cannot avail you at all against Allah. O ‘Abbās, uncle of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, I cannot avail you at all against Allah. O Safiyyah, aunt of the Messenger of Allah, I cannot avail you at all against Allah. Ask me for whatever you wish of my wealth.”

He said this to his closest relatives. It is also related that he said:

“Yet you have ties of kinship with me, which I shall duly maintain.”

Thus he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, explained what accords with the Book of Allah: his duty is only to convey the message clearly. Recompense through reward and punishment, however, rests with Allah Most High. As He says:

“Say, ‘Obey Allah and obey the Messenger.’ But if you turn away, he is responsible only for the duty laid upon him, and you are responsible for the duty laid upon you. If you obey him, you will be guided. The Messenger’s duty is only to convey the message clearly.”

He, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, did indeed convey the message clearly. He delivered the message and called Allah to witness concerning his community that he had conveyed it to them. Thus, during the Farewell Pilgrimage, he repeatedly said:

“Have I conveyed the message?”

They replied, “Yes.” He then raised his finger towards heaven and pointed it towards them, saying, “O Allah, bear witness.”

Muslim related this in his Sahīh.

As for answering supplications, relieving distress and fulfilling needs, these belong to Allah alone, glorified and exalted is He; no one shares in them with Him. For this reason, Allah, glorified is He, distinguished in His Book between those matters in which the Messenger has a right