the masculine plural, since both males and females were included. These individuals were specially affirmed as members of the People of the House in addition to his wives (1). For this reason, he singled them out in his supplication when he brought them beneath the cloak. Likewise, Qubā Mosque was founded upon piety, and his mosque [—may Allah bless him and grant him peace— (2)] was also founded upon piety (3), exemplifying it even more perfectly. Thus, when Allah’s words were revealed (4):
“A mosque founded upon piety from the very first day is more worthy of your standing in it. In it are men who love to purify themselves, and Allah loves those who purify themselves.”
[Sūrat al-Tawbah: 108]
concerning Qubā Mosque, the wording applied to Qubā Mosque and, with even greater reason, to his mosque [—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—] (5) (6).
Scholars have differed over whether his wives (7) are members of his family. There are two views, both reported from Ahmad. The sounder view is that they are members of his family and of the People of his House (8), as indicated by his words [reported] in the two Sahih collections:
“[O Allah,] send blessings (9) upon (10) Muhammad and upon his wives and descendants (11).”
This is discussed at length elsewhere.
(1) (B) alone reads: “members of the Ahl al-Bayt (People of the House), with an even stronger claim than his wives.”
(2) “May Allah bless him and grant him peace” is an addition in (A), (B), and (M).
(3) This is omitted from (A) and (B), both of which read: “… upon piety, and His words … etc.”
(4) This is omitted from (A) and (B), both of which read: “… upon piety, and His words … etc.”
(5) “May Allah bless him and grant him peace” occurs only in (A) and (B).
(6) Ibn Taymiyyah will respond in detail below to Ibn al-Mutahhar’s argument based on the verse from Sūrat al-Ahzāb: (B), 4/20–25. See also (K), 151 (M)–152 (M).
(7) (A) and (B) read: “concerning whether his wives …”
(8) (A) and (B) read: “and the People of the House.”
(9) (N) reads: “the Sahīhayn (the two Sahih collections), his words: ‘Send blessings …’”
(10) “Upon” is omitted from (B) alone.
(11) The hadith of Abū Humayd al-Sāidī—may Allah be pleased with him—is found in al-Bukhārī, 4/146 (Book of the Prophets, chapter beginning: “Mūsā ibn Ismāīl narrated to us …”). Its wording is: They said, “O Messenger of Allah, how should we send blessings upon you?” The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—replied: “Say: ‘O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad, his wives, and his descendants, as You sent blessings upon the family of Abraham; and bestow blessings upon Muhammad, his wives, and his descendants, as You bestowed blessings upon the family of Abraham. You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.’” The hadith is also found in Muslim, 1/306 (Book of Prayer, chapter on invoking blessings upon the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—after the tashahhud); al-Muwatta, 1/165 (Book of Shortening the Prayer during Travel, chapter concerning invocation of blessings upon the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace); Sunan al-Nasāī, 3/42 (Book of Forgetfulness, chapter: “How to Invoke Blessings upon the Prophet … Another Form”); and Sunan Ibn Mājah, 1/293 (Book of Establishing the Prayer, chapter on invoking blessings upon the Prophet).