“In houses which Allah has ordained to be raised and in which His name is remembered; He is glorified therein morning and evening” (the verse) [Surah al-Nūr: 36]. Ali’s house and other houses (1) are not described (2) in these terms.

Fourth: It may be said that, by the consensus of the Muslims, the Prophet’s house—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—is superior to Ali’s house. Nevertheless, it is not included in this verse, because there are no men in his house; rather, it contains only him and one of his wives. When Allah referred to the Prophet’s house—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—He said:

“Do not enter the Prophet’s houses” [Surah al-Ahzāb: 53].

And He said:

“Remember what is recited in your houses” [Surah al-Ahzāb: 34].

Fifth: The statement, “They are the houses of the prophets,” is false. Were that so, the rest of the believers would have no share in them. His words:

“Morning and evening, He is glorified therein by men whom neither trade nor sale distracts from the remembrance of Allah” [Surah al-Nūr: 36–37]

apply to everyone who fits this description.

Sixth: His words, “In houses which Allah has ordained to be raised,” constitute an indefinite expression qualified by a descriptive clause, with no specific designation (3). As for His words, “Allah has ordained to be raised and in which His name is remembered”: if what is intended is that which is not exclusive to mosques—namely, remembrance in homes (4) and prayer therein—then the homes of most believers who fit this description are included. It is therefore not exclusive to the houses of the prophets.