10209. The Messenger: 2: His saying: "the prayers of the Messenger," meaning: his seeking forgiveness and his supplication. Prayer (salah) applies to various types. Prayer from Allah—the Almighty and Majestic—is mercy, goodness, and blessing. Allah the Exalted said: "It is He who prays upon you, as do His angels." Prayer from the angels is supplication, and it is likewise from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), as he said: "And pray for them; indeed, your prayer is a source of security for them," meaning: your supplication is a means of stability and tranquility for them.

1868: 10302. That: 1: Tafsir Ibn Kathir: (2/383).

: 10304. With excellence (ihsan): 2: His saying: "with excellence" means what they follow in their actions and sayings, not regarding the slips and errors that emanated from them, as they were not infallible, may Allah be pleased with them.

1869: 10305. The Successors (al-Tabi'un): 1: His saying: "the Successors"—the singular of which is Tabi'i. Scholars have differed regarding the Successors and their ranks. The Hafiz al-Khatib said: A Successor is one who accompanied a Companion, and one of them is called a Tabi' and a Tabi'i. The speech of al-Hakim Abu 'Abdullah and others suggests that it suffices for this that he hears from a Companion or meets him, even if the customary companionship is not found.

The greatest of the Successors are the seven jurists of the people of Medina, and they are: Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib, al-Qasim ibn Muhammad, 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr, Kharijah ibn Zayd, Abu Salamah ibn 'Abd al-Rahman, 'Abdullah ibn 'Utbah ibn Mas'ud, and Sulayman ibn Yasar.

: 10307. From them: 2: Narrated by Ibn Abi Shaybah: (2/151).

1870: 10301. Their teaching: 1: Evidence for the authenticity of this is what Imam Ahmad narrated in his Musnad, where he said: I said, "O Messenger of Allah, they...