A Critical Review of Ahlul Beit Reference in Sihah Al-Sittah

Given the unprecedented virtues of the Ahlul Beit, as mentioned in the Quran and Hadiths, and as verified by the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) or recommended by him to the Ummah (in Thaqalayn Hadith), unpacking the term "Ahlul Beit" and knowing who it refers to could be the first step to save Ummah not to go astray. Determining the reference of this term through solid investigation of the narrations in the Sihah Al-Sittah—as well-known and valid documents among all Sunni sects— could definitely prove helpful and effective in understanding the truth non-biasedly. The current paper considers four of these Sihah Al-Sittah, which include some Hadiths in this regard. The authors’ views were classified in three categories: First, the five people of the cloak are the true Ahlul Beit; second, the wives of the prophet (PBUH) are the true Ahlul Beit and third, the prophet’s family including his wives and relatives are the true Ahlul Beit. Having analyzed all these three presuppositions, and benefitting from the commentary book, Al-Mizan, it was revealed that based on the Quran, narrations of Sihah Al-Sittah, and logical reasoning, the first presupposition is the real reference of the term and the five people of the cloak are the true Ahlul Beit.