The Fifth Aspect

مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ وَالَّذٖينَ مَعَهُٓ اَشِدَّٓاءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَٓاءُ بَيْنَهُمْ تَرٰيهُمْ رُكَّعًا سُجَّدًا يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلاً مِنَ اللّٰهِ وَرِضْوَانًاMuhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Those who are with him are firm against the disbelievers and compassionate toward one another. You see them bowing and prostrating, seeking Allah’s grace and pleasure.

The beginning of this verse proclaims the exalted qualities and virtues of the SahābahThe Companions of Prophet Muhammad (saw); Muslims who met him, believed in him, and died as Muslims., which made them, after the prophets, the most distinguished individuals of mankind. Just as, through its explicit meaning, it announces the lofty qualities that the ranks of the SahābahThe Companions of Prophet Muhammad (saw); Muslims who met him, believed in him, and died as Muslims. would acquire in the future, so too, through its indicative meaning, it points to the Rightly Guided CaliphsThe first four caliphs after Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him): Abū Bakr, Umar, Uthmān, and Ali (may Allah be pleased with them). They are known as al-Khulafā ar-Rāshidūn., in the order of their succession after the passing of the Prophet (saw)Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam (Peace and blessings be upon him), and specifically highlights the particular quality for which each of them became most renowned. This is as follows:

وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُThose who are with him

points to Abū Bakr as-Siddīq (ra)The closest Companion of Prophet Muhammad (saw) and the first caliph after his death. He was given the title as-Siddīq, “the Most Truthful.”, who was renowned and distinguished by his special companionship and intimate association with the Prophet (saw)Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam (Peace and blessings be upon him), and who, by being the first to pass away after him, was the first to join him again in that companionship.

اَشِدَّاۤءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ... firm against the disbelievers

points to Umar (ra)Umar ibn al-Khattāb, a prominent Companion of Prophet Muhammad (saw) and the second caliph after his death., who in the future would make the states of the world tremble through his conquests, and who, by his justice, would descend upon tyrants with the force of a thunderbolt.

رُحَمَاۤءُ بَيْنَهُمْ... compassionate toward one another.

points to Uthmān (ra)Uthmān ibn Affān, a prominent Companion and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (saw), and the third of the Rightly Guided Caliphs. He was known by the title Dhu'n-Nūrayn, “the Possessor of the Two Lights., who in the future, when the most serious fitnah was being stirred up, would sacrifice his own life out of perfect mercy and compassion so that Muslim blood would not be shed; he chose to be martyred wrongfully while reciting the Qur’an.

And:

تَرٰيهُمْ رُكَّعًا سُجَّدًا يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلاً مِنَ اللّٰهِ وَرِضْوَانًاYou see them bowing and prostrating, seeking Allah’s grace and pleasure.

points to Ali (ra)Ali ibn Abī Tālib, cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (saw), husband of Fātimah, and the fourth caliph in the Islam.., who, with complete worthiness and heroism, assumed the caliphate. He was universally known for his perfect zuhd, worship, poverty, and frugality, and for his constant and abundant bowing and prostration. It also indicates that he was not responsible for the future wars and conflicts in which he would be involved, and that his intention and aim were directed solely toward the grace and pleasure of Allah.

The Sixth Aspect

ذٰلِكَ مَثَلُهُمْ فِى التَّوْرٰيةِThis is their description in the Torah.

proclaims news concerning the ghaybThe unseen; that which is hidden from human perception and knowledge. in two ways.

The first way: this verse points to the qualities of the SahābahThe Companions of Prophet Muhammad (saw); Muslims who met him, believed in him, and died as Muslims. mentioned in the Torah, which were unknown to an unlettered person such as the Prophet (saw)Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam (Peace and blessings be upon him). Indeed, as explained in The Nineteenth Letter, the Torah contains the following description concerning the SahābahThe Companions of Prophet Muhammad (saw); Muslims who met him, believed in him, and died as Muslims. of the Prophet (saw)Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam (Peace and blessings be upon him) who would come at the end of time: “The banners of the holy ones are with them.” In other words, his SahābahThe Companions of Prophet Muhammad (saw); Muslims who met him, believed in him, and died as Muslims. would be obedient worshippers and righteous believers, so that they were described in the Torah as “the holy ones.” Although the Torah has undergone many alterations through its numerous translations into different languages, it still confirms, through many of its verses, the judgement proclaimed in SurahChapter of the Qur’an. al-Fath:

مَثَلُهُمْ فِى التَّوْرٰيةِAnd their description in the Gospel...