Who Are The Ahlulbayt?

The most spiritual family spoken about “directly” in the Holy Quran, on 3 separate occasions, are the chosen progeny of the Holy Prophet Mohammed(صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). On at least 4 more occasions, The Glorious Quran draws attention to the family of the Prophet(صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) by praising them, and raising their status far above any others.

The most famous mention of the Ahlulbayt(عليهم الصلاة والسلام) in the Holy Quran, is seen in Surat Al-Ahzaab, in the Aya of Tatheer (Purification).

إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنكُمُ الرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيرًا

“Verily, Allah has decreed to purify you, O’ Ahlul Bayt, and sanctify you in a perfect way”

Surah 33 Ayah 33

Note: According to both Sunni & Shia scholars, this part of the verse is the Almighty God (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) speaking directly to the Holy Prophet Mohammed, Imam Ali, Fatima Al-Zahra, and their two children Imam Al-Hassan & Imam Al-Hussein (عليهم الصلاة والسلام).

*(See Yanabi Al‑Mawadda, Al‑Qandoozi, Page 87)

**(See Sahih Tirmidhi, Vol. 13, Pages 200.  Also Al‑Nisaa’i, Khasa’is, page 4.  Also Tafseer of Al‑Tibari, Vol. 22, Page 5.  Also Al Mujam Al Saghir, Al Tibrani, Page 34, 75.  Also Asbaab al‑Nuzool, Al‑Wahidi, Pages 266‑267.)

إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ اللّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاَةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ رَاكِعُونَ

“Verily, Allah is your Wali (Overlord), and so is His Messenger, and those who believe and establish prayer, and give the poor‑rate while in the State of Rukoo’ [state of bowing down].”

Surah 5 Ayah 55

Note: Both Sunni & Shia scholars are unanimous in stating this verse refers to Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) when he gave his ring to a beggar while bowing down in Rukoo’ (in the course of his prayer).

*(See Nisaa’i in his Sahih.  Also Tha’labi in Tafseer Kabir.  Also Ibn Hanbal’s Mus’nad, Vol. 5, Page 38.  Also Al‑Wahidi’s Asbaab al Nuzool (the circumstances of revelations).  Also Ibn Marduwayh in his Mus’nad.  Also Kanz Al‑Ummal, Vol. 6, Page 391, Tradition #5991.)

**(See Ibn Khallikan commenting about Al‑Tha’labi Tafseer Al‑Kabir.  Also Al‑Tibari, Tafseer, Vol. 6, Page 165. Also Al‑Razi, Tafseer, Vol. 3, Page 431.  Also Al‑Neisapoori, Tafseer, Vol. 3, Page 461.)

***(See Haakim, Mustadrak, Vol. 3, Page 134.  Also Nisaa’i, Khasa’is Al‑Alawiyah Page 6.  Also Ahmad, in Mus’nad, Vol. 1, Page 331.)

فَمَنْ حَآجَّكَ فِيهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْاْ نَدْعُ أَبْنَاءنَا وَأَبْنَاءكُمْ وَنِسَاءنَا وَنِسَاءكُمْ وَأَنفُسَنَا وأَنفُسَكُمْ ثُمَّ نَبْتَهِلْ فَنَجْعَل لَّعْنَةُ اللّهِ عَلَى الْكَاذِبِينَ

“….then reply [O’ Muhammad]: Let us call upon our children and your children, our ladies and your ladies, ourselves and yourselves, then we pray so that Allah’s wrath be upon those who are false.”

Surah 3 Ayah 61

Note: Again here, both Sunni & Shia scholars are unanimous when it comes to the story behind this beautiful verse! This verse is a trophy for the Ahlulbayt, as “our children” refers to Imam Al-Hassan & Imam Al-Hussein. “Our women” refers to Fatima Al-Zahra, and the final part which is “ourselves” refers to The Holy Prophet Mohammed himself, as well as Imam Ali (ٱللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ).

*See Al‑Razi, Tafseer Kabir.  Also Al‑Sayooti, Tafseer Durr Al‑Manthur.  Also Tafseer Al‑Baydhawi.  Also Tafseer Ibn Katheer.  Also Sahih Muslim and Sahih Tirmidhi.)