And yet we know that Alī ibn Abī Tālib—may Allah be pleased with him—was more virtuous and closer to the truth than Muāwiya and those who joined him in fighting Alī. This is based on the report established in both Sahīh collections from Abū Saīd al-Khudrī—may Allah be pleased with him—that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“A group will break away from the religion at a time of division among the Muslims. They will be killed by whichever of the two sides is closer to the truth.”

This hadith indicates that each side possessed some truth, and that Alī—may Allah be pleased with him—was closer to the truth. As for those who refrained from fighting during the civil strife, such as Sad ibn Abī Waqqās, Ibn Umar, and others—may Allah be pleased with them—they followed the teachings they had heard concerning fighting during civil strife. This is also the position of most scholars of hadith.

Likewise, “the household of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,” has rights that must be upheld. Allah has granted them an entitlement to the one-fifth share and to property acquired without fighting, and has commanded that blessings be invoked upon them along with blessings upon the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. The Messenger told us:

“Say: ‘O Allah, bestow blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You bestowed blessings upon the family of Abraham. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious. And grant Your blessings to Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You granted Your blessings to the family of Abraham. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.’”

The family of Muhammad are those who are forbidden to receive charity. This is what al-Shāfiī, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and other scholars—may Allah have mercy on them—have stated, for the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Charity is not lawful for Muhammad or for the family of Muhammad.”

Allah Most High has said in His Book:

“Allah intends only to remove impurity from you, O members of the household, and to purify you completely.”

Allah has forbidden them to receive charity because it is