The Concept of Ahl-al- Bayt (Household of the Prophet) and Its Referent Inclusiveness Based on Sunni Scholars

The expression Ahl-al- Bayt (a) refers to the household of the Prophet including Ali and Fatimah (a) and those offsprings of their marriage. This view is held by Shiites. Sunni scholars, agreeing with Shiite view, have tried to expand its meaning and to include some other Prophets, relatives and wives. This article tries to present the literal meaning of “Ahl”, family, and “Bayt”, house. Needless to say, vagueness of the meaning of Ahl-al- Bayt complicates the subject, for it is believed that charity, Sadaqat, is forbidden for Ahl- al- Bayt. On this basis, one may not consider the Prophet`s wives as belonging to Ahl-al- Bayt. Regarding this norm, Al-e Ali, Al-e Ja`far, Al-e Aqil and Al-e Abbas may also be included in Ahl-al- Bayt. However, in Sunni recorded history, where the absolute form of Ahl-al- Bayt and A`immah-e Ahl-al- Bayt are used, or in Quranic verses such as the verse Tathir and Mubahili or in diversity of opinions, the Shiite belief has been meant. In this paper, it has been intended to study the expression Ahl-al- Bayt and its referent inclusiveness as is found in Sunni`s works.