The meaning of "al" in the saying of Allah the Exalted: "And the evil of the punishment overtook the family of Pharaoh," and likewise explaining its meaning in the family of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
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The Shaykh : And the saying of Allah (Mighty and Majestic): [Ghafir 40:46] We mentioned that "al" here means what? The followers in his religion and in his way. And so we say in our saying, "O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad," that the intended meaning of his family is his followers in his religion. This is because the word "al," if we say with it "companions and followers," it has a meaning, and if it is isolated, it has another meaning. So if it is said, "O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon his family, his companions, and those who followed them with goodness," who is the intended meaning of "al"?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : No, they are not his household. If we say, "upon Muhammad and upon his family, his companions, and his followers with goodness," what is the intended meaning of "al"?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : His household? That is incorrect.
The student: Those who believed among them.
The Shaykh : Those who believed in him from his household. Pay attention to this: those who believed in him from his household, so that whoever disbelieved in him from his household is excluded, for he has no honor and does not enter into the "al" when we invoke blessings upon the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) by sending blessings upon him, like whom?
The student: Abu Lahab.
The Shaykh : Like Abu Lahab. Abu Lahab was the uncle of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and yet Allah revealed a complete surah of the Noble Qur'an concerning him, which is recited in every prayer until the Day of Resurrection. That is, if a person wants to recite it in every prayer, or otherwise it is not obligatory to recite it in every prayer, because it is not obligatory to recite in every prayer except one surah, and that is?
The student: Al-Fatihah.
The Shaykh : Al-Fatihah. Good. So if it is said, "O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and his family, his companions, and those who followed them with goodness," who is included? The "al" who believed in him from his household.
And the Day the Hour appears [it will be said], "Make the people of Pharaoh enter the severest punishment."
ويوم تقوم الساعة أدخلوا آل فرعون أشد العذابThe student: ...
The Shaykh : No, they are not his household. If we say, "upon Muhammad and upon his family, his companions, and his followers with goodness," what is the intended meaning of "al"?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : His household? That is incorrect.
The student: Those who believed among them.
The Shaykh : Those who believed in him from his household. Pay attention to this: those who believed in him from his household, so that whoever disbelieved in him from his household is excluded, for he has no honor and does not enter into the "al" when we invoke blessings upon the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) by sending blessings upon him, like whom?
The student: Abu Lahab.
The Shaykh : Like Abu Lahab. Abu Lahab was the uncle of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and yet Allah revealed a complete surah of the Noble Qur'an concerning him, which is recited in every prayer until the Day of Resurrection. That is, if a person wants to recite it in every prayer, or otherwise it is not obligatory to recite it in every prayer, because it is not obligatory to recite in every prayer except one surah, and that is?
The student: Al-Fatihah.
The Shaykh : Al-Fatihah. Good. So if it is said, "O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and his family, his companions, and those who followed them with goodness," who is included? The "al" who believed in him from his household.