A Reexamination of the Characteristics of Etrat (the Prophet’s household) in Nahj ul-Balaghah

Etrat Tahere (pure family of the Prophet (peace be upon them)) is one of the invaluable commemorations of the Holy Prophet and among the important issues that can be examined in the words of Imam Ali (pbuh). Knowing and introducing Etrat (peace be upon them) to others and referring to their virtues in Naj ul-Balaghah has a particular importance in Nahj ul-Balaghah and can help Muslims to know Etrat because knowing them and introducing them to others is among the important Islamic duties and any Muslim is to know the Prophet’s executor and successor after knowing Allah the Almighty and the Prophet. Therefore, the present study is an attempt to analyze and recognize the characteristics of the Prophet’s family in Nahj ul-Balaghah using an analytical descriptive method. Considering the extensiveness of the issue, six sermons of Nahj al-Balaghah including sermons numbered 2, 87, 97, 138, 147 and 152 were examined and analyzed as the main framework of the study. The results showed that Imam Ali (pbuh) has referred to the high position of the Prophet’s family in different parts of Nahj ul-Balaghah; these references can be classified under ‘the virtues of the Prophet (pbuh)’, Imam Ali (pbuh), Imam Mahdi (pbuh), Ahl ul-Bait (the household of the Prophet (pbuh)) and the Prophet’s family (peace be upon them). The importance Imam Ali (pbuh) gives to this issue is indicative of the high position of this family in ethical, belief, scientific and political aspects, which shows a real picture of the family, on the one hand, and their legitimacy, on the other. Knowing the Prophet’s family is so important, according to Imam Ali (pbuh), that entering paradise is special to those who know them rightfully and entering the hell is special to those who deny them.