It is said to the successor: Khalifah and Khalif. The term Khalifah gathers Khala'if, and Khalif means Khulafa. The meaning is: He has made you His successors on His earth. He has given you the keys to manage it and has empowered you over what is in it. He has permitted you its benefits so that you may thank Him through monotheism and obedience. So whoever among you disbelieves and despises such a noble blessing, the consequence of his disbelief will return to him. It is the wrath of Allah, behind which there is no shame, humiliation, or loss in the Hereafter, after which there is no loss remaining. The wrath is the severest form of hatred. Hence, it is said of one who marries his father's wife: 'Maqtā,' due to being despised in every heart. This is a message to the people. It is said: A message to those to whom the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, was sent. He made you a nation that succeeded those before it, and you have seen and witnessed in those who preceded what you should take heed of. So whoever disbelieves among you, upon him is the recompense of his disbelief from the wrath of Allah and the loss of the Hereafter, just as that was the ruling for those before you.