Exegesis of the saying of Allah the Exalted: "The Prophet is more worthy of the believers than themselves"

He says: "

The Prophet is more worthy of the believers than themselves, and his wives are [in the position of] their mothers

النَّبِيُّ أَوْلَى بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَأَزْوَاجُهُ أُمَّهَاتُهُمْ

[Al-Ahzab 33:6]

The Prophet

النبي

is the subject and

More worthy

أولى

is the predicate, and it is a superlative noun derived from wilayah (loyalty). They are more deserving of it than their own selves. They are more deserving of the believers

more worthy of the believers than themselves

أَوْلَى بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ

[Al-Ahzab 33:6]

in what He called them to and what their own selves called them to the opposite of it." Look at how the author turned the meaning around. That is, if the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) calls you to something and your own self calls you to the opposite of that thing, then the Prophet is more deserving of you than your own self. That means obey the Prophet and go against your own self. This is undoubtedly included in the verse, but the verse is broader, more comprehensive, and more precise. That is, if a person asks himself about what is in his good, then the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is more deserving of him than his own self. It covers several aspects:
The first aspect: That the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is more effective than their souls in regard to the believers in considering their interests and what benefits them, and in repelling harm from them. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: This is part of his statement, included in his saying: .
Second: in his precedence over their souls. For this reason, faith is not complete until the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is more beloved to you than your own soul, as 'Umar said: "By Allah, O Messenger of Allah, you are more beloved to me than everything except my own soul." He said: He said: "And your own soul?" He said: It is obligatory for every believer to love the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) more than he loves himself. It is clear.
Third: What the author indicated, that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is more worthy of you than your soul in what he calls you to and what your soul calls you to. If your soul calls you to something that contradicts what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) called you to, then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is more worthy of you than your soul. It is clear. Therefore, is a general term that encompasses everything involving wilayah (guardianship) and tawalli (loyalty). The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is more worthy of the believers than they are of themselves. As for non-believers, this description does not apply to them in relation to the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him).
The student: ...?

The Shaykh : Yes, exactly. And so on. But my intention is that it is not limited to this.
The student: ...?

The Shaykh : No, no. This follow-up raises the fear that a mistaken person might imagine this issue is limited to this specific scenario.