so it is not exclusive to him. It is well known that a woman is not eligible for the imamate. This shows that this virtue is not exclusive to the imams; rather, others share it with them.

The import of this hadith is that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—supplicated for Allah to remove from them(1) defilement and purify them completely. At most, this means that he supplicated for them to be among the God-fearing, from whom Allah has removed defilement and whom He has purified. Avoiding defilement is obligatory upon the believers, and every believer is commanded to attain purity.

Allah Most High says:

“Allah does not intend to impose hardship upon you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you.”

[Surah al-Mā’idah: 6].

And He says:

“Take charity from their wealth, by which you will purify and cleanse them.”

[Surah al-Tawbah: 103].

And He Most High says:

“Indeed, Allah loves those who constantly repent and loves those who purify themselves.”

[Surah al-Baqarah: 122].

At most, then, this is a supplication that they perform what is commanded and refrain from what is forbidden.

Regarding al-Siddīq—may Allah be pleased with him—Allah has informed us that he is:

“The most God-fearing, who gives his wealth to purify himself, owing no one any favor to be repaid, seeking only the countenance of his Lord, the Most High—and he shall surely be satisfied.”

[Surah al-Layl 17–21].

Moreover, the first and foremost(2) among the Emigrants and the Helpers, and those who followed them with excellence—Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him—

“He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they will abide forever. That is the supreme triumph.”

[Surah al-Tawbah: 100].

They must necessarily have performed what was commanded and refrained from what was forbidden, for this pleasure and this