and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah only intends to remove defilement from you, O members of the Household, and to purify you completely.” [Surah al-Ahzāb: 33]

The entire address is directed to the Prophet’s wives—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and its commands and prohibitions, promises and warnings pertain to them. However, since the benefit contained therein extends both to them and to others among the members of the Household, purification was expressed using this form of address and others; it is not (1) confined to his wives. Rather, it encompasses all the members of the Household. Alī, Fātimah, al-Hasan, and al-Husayn have a greater claim to it than others; hence the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—singled them out in his supplication for them.

This is like His statement:

“A mosque founded on piety from the very first day”

[Surah al-Tawbah: 108]

This verse was revealed concerning the mosque of Qubā’, but its ruling encompasses both that mosque and the one with an even greater claim to this description: the mosque in Medina. This explains the soundly authenticated report that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—was asked about the mosque founded on piety, and he replied:

“It is this mosque of mine.” (2)

It is also established in an authentic report that he would visit Qubā’ every Saturday, both on foot and riding. Thus, he would remain in his own mosque on Friday and go to Qubā’ on the day of