What is Ahl al-Bayt?

What is Ahl al-Bayt? 

The term Ahl al-Bayt (Arabic: أهل البیت) linguistically translates to the ‘people or members of the household’. In Islamic terminology, the Ahl al-Bayt are a select group of individuals within the family of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp). The Ahl al-Bayt have been thoroughly purified from vices, sins, and flaws. As a result, they are infallible and superior in knowledge, piety, virtues, and character, making them perfect role models to follow, thereby God placing them at the level of leadership and authority for the guidance of mankind. Referring back to the sources of hadiths, the members of the Ahl al-Bayt are the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hp), Imam Ali (p), Lady Fatima (p), Imam Hasan (p), Imam Hussain (p), and the 9 Imams who descend from the lineage of Imam Hussain (p).

The Quranic verses and authenticated hadiths that speak of the Ahl al-Bayt and their status are numerous. For the sake of brevity, amongst the notorious proofs have been listed, as follows: 

Verse of Purification

“Verily Allah wills but to keep off from you (every kind of) uncleanness, O’ you the people of the House! And purify you (with) a thorough purification (33: 33).”

Amongst other verses, the Verse of Purification is direct evidence for the infallibility of the Ahl al-Bayt. Infallibility is a necessary trait for divine guides and leaders, as God states in the following verse:

“O, you who have faith! Obey Allah and obey the Apostle and those vested with authority among you (4:59).” 

It is not comprehendible for God to command us to obey Him and fallible people simultaneously.

Verse of Affection

“That is [the great Bounty] whereof Allah gives glad tidings to His servants who believe and do righteous good deeds. Say [O Muhammad! Say unto people]: ‘No reward do I ask of you for this [Divine Call] except to show affection to my close relatives.’ And whoever earns a good righteous deed, We shall give him an increase of good in respect thereof. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate [the deeds of those obedient to Him] (Surat al-Shura: 23).”

Naturally, when offered any act of kindness, help, or service, we feel inclined to return the favor as an expression of gratitude. After persevering through many years of hardship and sacrifice delivering the greatest gift to humanity–guidance to success in this world and the next, Muslims pondered how to compensate the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hp). In response, God instructed the Prophet to respond saying, ‘No reward do I ask of you for this [Divine Call] except to show affection to my close relatives.’ Being the subject of recompensation of God’s greatest gift and final message further highlights the status of the Ahl al-Bayt.

Hadith of Thaqlayn

The Holy Prophet (pbuh&hp) is reported to have said, “I leave behind among [you two weighty things] which, if you [hold onto] to them, you will never go astray – that is the Book of God and my family (Ahl al-Bayt).” 

This authentic hadith is accepted by all schools of thought and is one of the last precious gems of advice left to us by our Holy Prophet (pbuh&hp) before his departure from the earthly world. Along with the Holy Quran, the Prophet (pbuh&hp) paired the Ahl al-Bayt along with the Quran as inseparable subjects and the source of guidance and protection from falling astray. As he states, his Ahl al-Bayt will never separate from the Quran endorses their infallibility and honorable status.