obligation. The first is more appropriate, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) only commanded them with this when they asked him to teach them, and he did not initiate it for them.

Section: The family (Al) of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) are his followers in his religion, as Allah the Almighty said: "Admit the family of Pharaoh" (Ghafir: 46). He means his followers from among the people of his religion. It has come from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that he was asked: "Who are the family of Muhammad?" He replied: "Every pious person." Narrated by Tammam in his "Fawa'id". It is also said that his family (Al) are his kin (Ahl), with the letter Ha' being a substitution for the Hamzah, just as it is said: "Araptu al-ma'a" (I poured the water) and "Haraptu-hu". So, if one said: "And upon the family (Ahl) of Muhammad" instead of "the family (Al) of Muhammad", it would be valid according to the Qadi, who said: "Their meaning is one." For that reason, if it were put in the diminutive form, it would be said: "Uhayl." He stated: "The meaning of both is the people of his religion." Ibn Hamid and Abu Hafs said: "It does not suffice, due to the violation of the wording of the narration and the change of meaning; for 'Ahl' is only used to express kinship, while 'Al' is used to express followers in religion."

Section: As for the interpretation of the 'Tahayyat' (greetings), it is narrated from Ibn Abbas that he said: "Al-Tahiyyah means majesty; Al-Salawat means the five prayers; and Al-Tayyibat means good deeds." Abu 'Amr said: "Al-Tahayyat means kingdom (or sovereignty)." They recited as evidence: And everything the youth attained, I have attained, except for the greeting (Al-Tahiyyah).

Some linguists said: "Al-Tahiyyah means eternity (or remaining)." They cited this verse as evidence. Ibn al-Anbari said: "Al-Tahayyat means peace (al-salam), Al-Salawat means mercy, and Al-Tayyibat means the good of speech."