The Prophet is closer to the believers than their [own] souls… He said:Whoever does not see himself [or his soul] as belonging to the Messenger and does not see the patronage (wilāya) of the Messenger in every situation, has in no way tasted the sweetnessof his Sunna. This is because the Prophet is the closest to the believers, and the Prophet says, ‘None of you believes until I am dearer to him than his soul, his wealth, his children and everyone else.’ His words, Exalted is He: