and misguidance and misery in disobeying him and opposing his way. Through him Allah tests people in their graves: they are questioned about him and tested concerning him.

“The servant is approached in his grave and asked, ‘What did you use to say about this man who was sent among you?’

“The believer says, ‘I bear witness that he is Allah’s servant. He brought us clear proofs and guidance, so we believed in him and followed him.’ He is told, ‘You have spoken the truth. Upon this you lived, upon it you died, and upon it you will be resurrected, if Allah wills. Sleep like a bridegroom whom none but his dearest family member awakens.’ Then his grave is made spacious and illuminated for him, and a door to Paradise is opened for him, increasing his gladness and joy.

“As for the disbeliever and the hypocrite, each says, ‘I do not know. I heard people saying something, so I repeated it.’ He is told, ‘We already knew that. Upon that you lived, upon it you died, and upon it you will be resurrected, if Allah wills.’ Then he is struck with an iron sledgehammer and lets out a scream that everything except human beings hears.”

Allah has commanded obedience to His Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in more than thirty places in the Quran. He has linked obedience to His Messenger with obedience to Himself, and disobedience to His Messenger with disobedience to Himself, just as He has linked His own name with his name. Thus Allah is not mentioned without His Messenger being mentioned alongside Him. Ibn ʿAbbās said