Nicci Attfield has a BA (Hons) Psychology from Unisa and an MPhil in Diversity Studies (UCT). She has been writing articles in psychology, diversity and inclusion and social sciences since 2017.
Ahl al-Bayt (or Ahlul-Bayt) is the Arabic name for "the people of the house" and refers to the family of the prophet Muhammad. Different scholars within Islam have different beliefs about who makes up the Ahl al-Bayt, with divides between Sunni and Shia Islam. However, both Sunni Islam and Shia Islam accept Muhammad's daughter, Fatimah, her husband Ali, and their sons, Hasan and Al-Husayn, to be Ahl al-Bayt. The family of Muhammad are seen as very precious, and Muhammad explained that after his death, his followers should embrace Ahl al-Bayt and the Qur'an so as not to be led astray. This means that following the correct members of the house is important so that Muslim people will not be led astray.
There is a debate between Sunni Islam and Shia Islam about who the Ahl al-Bayt are. The Sunni people believe that the entire family, including Muhammad's wives, are included in the Ahl al-Bayt, while the Shia people believe that it is only Fatimah, Ali, Hasan and Al-Husayn, and the nine Imams who are included in this definition. This has led to tension between the two groups because following the correct members of the Ahl al-Bayt is important in order to avoid being led astray.
Unlike Shia Islam, the Sunni include the wives of the Prophet as a part of Ahl al-Bayt. The Sunni therefore see the family as:
Sunni Islam includes the wives of the Prophet among the family members, believing this is the most correct view, as it is interpreted that Allah commanded the wives of the Prophet to observe the hijab, thereby interpreting them as a part of the family.
'Allah wishes only to remove Ar-Rijs (evil deeds and sins) from you, O members of the family (of the Prophet), and to purify you with a thorough purification' No InterWiki reference defined in properties for Wiki called "al-Ahzab 33"!
When Allah wanted to exclude the wife of Lut from survival, he made a clear distinction to exclude her from the family.
'(All) except the family of Lut. Them all we are surely going to save (from destruction). Except his wife…' No InterWiki reference defined in properties for Wiki called "al-Hijr 15"!
'Whoever works righteousness man or woman and is faithful, We shall revive a PURE life for him. '(Qur'an 16:97)
'And whosoever keeps his duty to Allah, Allah will appoint a way out for him.' (Qur'an 65:2)
The sentence of the Qur'an in verse 33:33, which is about the purification of Ahl al-Bayt, is in the middle of verses related to the wives of the Prophet. The Sunni, therefore use these quotes to interpret that the wives of the Prophet are included in the definition of the family as well as Banu Hashim and even all Muslim people.
Shia Islam excludes the wives of the Prophet from the Ahl al-Bayt.
The Shia have a far more limited definition of Ahl al-Bayt, which is based on the definition of the family below:
Narrated Aisha:
One day the Prophet (S) came out afternoon wearing a black cloak (upper garment or gown; long coat), then al-Hasan Ibn 'Ali came and the Prophet accommodated him under the cloak, then al-Husayn came and entered the cloak, then Fatimah came and the Prophet entered her under the cloak, then 'Ali came and the Prophet entered him to the cloak as well. Then the Prophet recited: "Verily Allah intends to keep off from you every kind of uncleanness O People of the House (Ahl al-Bayt), and purify you a perfect purification (the last sentence of Verse 33:33)."
The Twelve Imams were seen to be the spiritual successors of the Prophet, and are considered Ahl al-Bayt by the Shia Muslims. The twelve imams' names and heritage are as follows:
Ahl al-Bayt (or Ahlul-Bayt) is the Arabic name for the "people of the house." This is significant in Islam because, in combination with the Qu'ran, the Ahl al-Bayt ensure that Muslim people will not be led astray. There has been a debate between Sunni and Shia Islam about who is regarded as Ahl al-Bayt, with the Sunni extending the definition to the wives of the Prophet Muhammad and sometimes even to all Muslim people, while the Shia Muslims include the Prophet's daughter Fatima and the 12 Imams. The Twelve Imams are spiritual successors to the prophet Muhammad, and therefore offer spiritual guidance to Muslim people.
Ahluwalia Bayat are important because they are said to be the spiritual descendents of the Prophet. They are able to help guide Muslim people.
The Sunni Muslim people do believe in Ahlul-Bayt. The Sunni definition is an expanded one and includes the wives of the Prophet and slaves. It has sometimes been extended to include all Muslim people.
Ahl al-Bayt means the people of the house in Arabic and refers to the family of the Prophet Muhammad. There are debates between the Sunni and Shia Muslims on who are included as the people of the house.
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