We believe that a true and comprehensive
understanding of Islam would not be possible without careful recognition of the
Prophetic Tradition and the Prophet's Household. And Allah is the Source of Strength.
Apropos of: Ahlelbayt.com's 'Prophet’s Wives are Ahlel Bayt'
Note: This page answers only selective parts of
the article in question
Please Visit SDOL.org's "Who Are
THE Ahlulbayt".
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http://www.ahlelbayt.com/articles/ahlel-bayt/wives Dictionary Definition of “Ahlel Bayt”. Let us first define the words “Ahlel Bayt.” To establish absolute objectivity, we will not define it ourselves, but rather we will quote straight from the most popular Shia website, Al-Islam.org (emphasis is ours): Al-Islam.org says “The term “ahl” signifies the members of a household of a man, including his fellow tribesmen, kin, relatives, wife (or wives), children, and all those who share a family background, religion, housing, city, and country with him…“Bayt” refers to habitation and dwelling, including tents and buildings both. The “ahl-al-bayt” of any person refers to his family members and all those who live in his house. http://al-islam.org/mot/default.asp?url=14ahlbayt.htm” We encourage our readers to verify this defintion by picking up any Arabic dictionary. There are three words to look up: Ahl, Bayt, and Ahl-Al-Bayt. Let us reproduce what one such Arabic dictionary has to say, although the results will no doubt be virtually identical in any other dictionary. Ahl: noun; relatives including wives, children, brothers, sisters, and other kinsmen, and sometimes used to refer to fellow tribesmen Bayt: noun; house; place of residence Ahl-Al-Bayt: noun; those people in relation to a man who live in his house, especially his wives and unmarried children that live under his roof and are provided for by him In fact, the primary definition of Ahl Bayt is a man’s wives; in Arab culture, it is considered rude to call a man’s wives by their actual names, and hence people will refer to a man’s wives simply as his “Ahl Bayt”. The Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama’ah thus take the wives of the Prophet to be the Ahlel Bayt. This is in accordance with the dictionary definition of the word as shown above. The Prophet’s wives are part of the Prophet’s Ahl, and they live in his Bayt. Therefore, Aisha and Hafsa are included in the Ahlel Bayt. |
This is what happens when you consult dictionaries rather than Quran and Rasool's (SAW) Shariah. But before i go to the Quran, Let us take care of Dictionaries.
Immediate Family
Definition: Spouse, parents and grand parents, children and grand children,
brothers and sisters, mother in law and father in law, brothers in law and
sisters in law, daughters in law and sons in law. Adopted and step members are
also included in immediate family
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/immediate-family.html
Main Entry: immediate family
Definition: one's parents, step-parents,
siblings, spouse, children, step-children, foster children, in-laws, sibling
in-laws, grandparents, great grandparents, step-great grandparents,
grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/immediate+family
Here is the catch. My multinational company has given medical benefits upto thousands of Rupees to my "Immediate Family". They say I do not need to pay my wife's and children's medical bills out of my pocket. But what about my parents and siblings? Surely they are also a part of my immediate family, no? If i follow the approach of Ahlulbayt's Author, I must sue my company for claiming to provide medical bills for my Immediate family but only including my wife and children in that group. Any wise man will understand that although my nephews and in-laws are also included in the dictionary definition of my Immediate Family, when my company speaks about my Immediate Family, they only cater a small group of them, limiting them to my wife and kids only.
As a conclusion, it is safe to assume that although my parents, in-laws, nephews, siblings, stepmothers etc are included in the lingual term "my immediate family", only my wife and children are referred to that term when my Company uses it in it's contract. It does not mean that my mother is not a part of my immediate family, it only means that she is not included in the benefits provided to my immediate family.
Similarly, as the Author says, the dictionary term Ahlulbayt may refer to wives and brothers and tribesmen living under the roof of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), but when the Quran refers to the term Ahlulbayt, it speaks about Four chosen personalities in which the wives of Rasool (SAW) are not included. This has already been stated in our articles as well as Sunni Literature.
Yazid b. Hayyan reported,..... I (Muhammad) am leaving
among you two weighty things: the one being the Book of Allah in which there is
right guidance and light, so hold fast to the Book of Allah and adhere to it. He
exhorted (us) (to hold fast) to the Book of Allah and then said: The second
are the members of my household I remind you (of your duties) to the members of
my family. He (Husain) said to Zaid: Who are the members of his household?
Aren't his wives the members of his family? Thereupon he said: His wives are
the members of his family (but here) the members of his family are those for
whom acceptance of Zakat is forbidden. And he said: Who are they?
Thereupon he said: 'Ali and the offspring of 'Ali, 'Aqil and the offspring
of 'Aqil and the offspring of Ja'far and the offspring of 'Abbas. Husain said:
These are those for whom the acceptance of Zakat is forbidden. Zaid said: Yes.
Sahih Muslim Book 031, Number 5920
What we concluded is also visible from the above mentioned Hadith which claims that although the wives are a part of His (SAW) family, but here those who are being referred to as his (SAW) family members are those on whom acceptance of Zakat is Haraam.
Yazid b. Hayyan reported: We went to him (Zaid
b. Arqam) and said to him. You have found goodness (for you had the honour) to
live in the company of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and offered
prayer behind him, and the rest of the hadith is the same but with this
variation of wording that lie said: Behold, for I am leaving amongst you two
weighty things, one of which is the Book of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, and
that is the rope of Allah. He who holds it fast would be on right guidance and
he who abandons it would be in error, and in this (hadith) these words are also
found: We said: Who are amongst the members of the household? Aren't the wives
(of the Holy Prophet) included amongst the members of his house hold? Thereupon
he said: No, by Allah, a woman lives with a man (as his wife) for a certain
period; he then divorces her and she goes back to her parents and to her people;
the members of his household include his ownself and his kith and kin (who are
related to him by blood) and for him the acceptance of Zakat is prohibited.
Sahih muslim Book 031, Number 5923
What we concluded is also visible from the above mentioned Hadith which claims that although the wives are a part of His (SAW) family, but here those who are being referred to as his (SAW) family members are those on whom acceptance of Zakat is Haraam. The Author says that it is rude in Arab culture to call one's wife with her name and thus she is referred to as the Ahlulbayt. Maybe he is right. But isn't it even ruder to not include one's own son in his family or Ahlulbayt or whatever you may call it?
And Nuh cried out to his Lord and said:
My Lord! surely my son is of my family, and Thy promise is surely true, and Thou
art the most just of the judges. He said: O Nuh! surely he is not of your
family; surely he is (the doer of) other than good deeds, therefore ask not
of Me that of which you have no knowledge; surely I admonish you lest you may be
of the ignorant
Quran [11:45-46]
What? Allah does not consider Nuh's biological son to be a part of his family! I believe the Author will show us plenty more dictionary definitions proving to us that a son is a part of one's family thus, God forbid, Allah made a mistake. How could Allah not include Nuh's own son to be a part of his family when all of the dictionaries prove that Nuh's son is his family? This is what happens when you refer to dictionaries rather than to your own thought process and Quran.
Noah (peace be on him) reminds God of His promise to spare his
family. Since his son was quite obviously part of his family. Noah requests of
God that he be spared. Noah (peace be on him) acknowledges that God's judgment
is final; that it is one against which there can be no appeal. Moreover, God's
judgment is also based on absolute knowledge and perfect justice.
The import of this Quranic verse may best be appreciated by analogy to the limbs
on a person's body. A limb may become rotten and a physician may decide to
remove it by surgical operation. Now, the patient may ask his doctor not to
amputate because it is a part of his body. The natural reply of the physician
would be that the rotten limb was not truly a part of his body. Such a reply
does not amount to denying, in a literal sense, the obvious fact that the limb
is a part of that person's body. What such a statement actually means is that a
person's body requires sound and healthy limbs rather than those which are
rotten. For rotten limbs are not only useless, they are even able to damage
other healthy limbs. In view of the above, it makes sense that that limb be
surgically removed. In a similar way a righteous father may be told that his
corrupt son is not a part of his family. The biological fact of his being the
son of his father is not being negated here. Rather, it is being said that on a
moral plane the son has nothing to do with his father's righteous household.
Tafheem al Quran, By Abul Ala Maududi, Tafseer of Surah
11, Verse 45-46
Allah clearly judges Nuh's son not to be a part of his family, no matter what the dictionaries say. The above example does in no way portray that all the wives of Rasool (SAW) were (god forbid) disbelievers and on the wrong path. The above example only portrays that no matter what the world says, the judgment of Allah is what stands above all. The wives of the Prophet (SAW) are a part of his family, but definitely not a part of the family/Ahlulbayt who were purified from all rijs, who were called for Mubahila and about whom we are told to love them.
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http://www.ahlelbayt.com/articles/ahlel-bayt/wives The Shia: The Shia Ayatollahs do not have a positive viewpoint of the Prophet’s wives. In fact, the Shia Ayatollahs possess “baraa” (hatred) for Aisha and Hafsa, and we shall examine this in later articles. It is because of this reason that the Shia Ayatollahs deny that the Prophet’s wives are Ahlel Bayt. In fact, many of our Shia brothers who do not speak Arabic are even unaware of the actual definition and usage of the term “Ahlel Bayt” since they simply listen to their Ayatollahs. The Shia Ayatollahs say that only four people are part of the Ahle Bayt Muhammad, namely Ali , Fatima, Hasan , and Hussain. We would like to question the basis upon which they make this claim. This is not the Ahlel Bayt of Muhammad , but rather this is the Ahlel Bayt of Ali. These were the four individuals who lived under the roof of Ali, not the roof of Muhammad . It is agreed upon by both the Ahlus Sunnah and the Shia that Ali did not live in the Bayt of Muhammad but rather had his own place of residence, in which Fatima, Hasan , and Hussain also lived. The Shia also include their Infallible Imams in the Ahlel Bayt. We wonder on what basis they do this as well, since none of these individuals (other than Ali , Hasan and Hussain) lived in the time of the Prophet , let alone in the Bayt of Muhammad . |
Maybe the Author is well versed with he beliefs of Shia Ayatollahs. I would not defend anyone. Shia Ayatollahs, like everyone, has their own Graves and are answerable for their own actions and beliefs. I am here to portray the true picture and Stand of Shiaism and how much it is in line with the Quran and Sunni Literature when compared to Sunni interpretations themselves.
Shiaism has a positive viewpoint of the Prophet's (SAW) wives. Maybe the author is not aware of the fact, but Shias love and revere women like Janab Khadija (RA), Umme Salammah (RA), Maria Qitbya (RA) etc. We not only revere these women, but salute them for their contributions to Islam and support they provided to Rasool (SAW). Yes, the Shias however don't have a very positive view about two wives of Rasool (SAW) and that too because the Shia believe these two troubled Rasool (SAW) and did not add to the cause of Islam. Ayesha and Hafsa to be particular.
The shia Ayatullahs do not claim that four people are the Ahlulbayt of Muhammad (SAW). The basis of this conclusion is from Sunni Literature, Ibn Kathir and Imam Muslim for that matter;
'A'isha reported that Allah's Apostle (may
peace be upon him) went out one norning wearing a striped cloak of the black
camel's hair that there came Hasan b. 'Ali. He wrapped him under it, then
came Husain and he wrapped him under it along with the other one (Hasan).
Then came Fatima and he took her under it, then came 'Ali and he
also took him under it and then said: Allah only desires to take away any
uncleanliness from you, O people of the household, and purify you (thorough
purifying)
Sahih-e-Muslim - Book 031, Number 5955
Click
below for scanned page:
Tafseer Ibn Kathir, Tafseer of Surah 33, Aya 33
The author first concluded that the dictionary says that the Ahlulbayt includes brothers and children. Now he says that because Ali (AS), brother of Muhammad (SAW) did not live under his (SAW) roof, and Fatima (AS), daughter of Muhammad (SAW), lived in her own house, not under the roof of Muhammad (SAW), thus these two personalities and their children Hassan (AS) and Hussain (AS) are not a part of his (SAW) Ahlulbayt? The author should make up his mind. He is not consulting the Quran, Imam Muslim or Ibne Kathir. He should at least know himself which strategy to follow, that of the dictionary's or that of the literalism's.
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http://www.ahlelbayt.com/articles/ahlel-bayt/wives Common Usage of the Term “Ahl-Al-Bayt”: An Arab will be extremely shocked if he finds that by Ahl-Al-Bayt we meant his cousin, married children, and grandchildren, all of whom live in another house. He will be extremely shocked that we do not mean his wife who lives in his Bayt. This is because for any Arab, the word Ahl-Al-Bayt (which literally means those staying in the house) includes the wife (or wives) of a person. This was in no way any different at the time of the Prophet. It is the same in all Arab countries. It is interesting that even in Iran (being a Shia dominated country) people use the word Ahl-Al-Bayt to refer to the wife as well as children of a person. If we look at any popular book of Arabic words we will find that in the definition of Ahlel Bayt, wife is included. We would thus like to ask the Shia Ayatollahs why they proclaim a different definition of the word Ahlel Bayt? Why should it be that the Prophet’s wives are not part of Ahlel Bayt but rather the Infallible Imams are? In our opinion, this defies logic. |
The author speaks about the literal and dictionary meaning of the term Ahlulbayt again. A wife lives in the Bayt or house of a person! Can the author show me the house of Muhammad (SAW)? At one point in history, Rasool (SAW) had at least 6 wives at the same time. I ask the author, did all the wives live under the same roof? How many houses or Bayt's did Rasool (SAW) have? How can the author define us the house of Muhammad (SAW)?
Unlike modern day, each wife of Rasool (SAW) had her own Hujra or a room with ceiling. Each wife had a separate Hujra alongside Masjid Nabvi, also including the House of Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS). If the author considers the Ahlulbayt as those living under the roof, then Ali and his household had a greater right to be included in that definition, for verily Fatima's (AS) house was Muhammad's (SAW) house, and it is about this house Rasool (SAW) has said:
Umer said: "Verily, Ali Ibn Abi Talib possessed three
outstanding merits. If I possessed any one of them, it would have been better
for me than red-haired animals (camels): (1) The Prophet gave his daughter in
marriage to him; (2) The Prophet ordered that all the doors of the houses
opening towards the mosque be closed except the door of Ali's house; (3) The
Prophet bestowed upon him the flag (of Islam) on the day of the Battle of
Khaibar."
Hakim in Mustadrak, page 125
Yanabiu'l-Mawadda, by Sulayman Balkhi, chapter 56, page 210
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http://www.ahlelbayt.com/articles/ahlel-bayt/wives The Quran Refers to the Prophet’s Wives as Ahlel Bayt: As Muslims, we believe in the absolute authority of the Quran. It is the highest source of legislation; in fact, it is the very speech of Allah. The Quran refers to the Prophet’s wives as the Ahlel Bayt. Allah Almighty Himself negates all those who dare argue that Aisha and Hafsa are not part of the Ahlel Bayt. The Quran specifically refers to the wives of the Prophet as Ahlel Bayt in the following verse: “O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other of the women; If you will be on your guard, then be not soft in your speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease yearn; and speak a good word. And stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former Times of Ignorance; and establish regular Prayer, and give regular Charity; and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you, you Ahlel Bayt (People of the House), and to make you pure and spotless.” (Quran, 33:32-33) |
Finally the author speaks about the Quran. Yet he fails to realize that the verses of the Quran were revealed at different places and different times. He quotes 33:33 and because it is in continuation with what the Quran had to say about wives of Rasool (SAW), the author assumes the wives are the ones purified from All Rijs.
Let us look at another verse, revealed at different places and times, speaking about two different things:
Forbidden to you is that which dies of itself, and blood, and
flesh of swine, and that on which any other name than that of Allah has been
invoked, and the strangled (animal) and that beaten to death, and that killed by
a fall and that killed by being smitten with the horn, and that which wild
beasts have eaten, except what you slaughter, and what is sacrificed on stones
set up (for idols) and that you divide by the arrows; that is a transgression.
This day have those who disbelieve despaired of your religion, so fear them
not, and fear Me. This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed
My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion; but whoever is
compelled by hunger, not inclining willfully to sin, then surely Allah is
Forgiving, Merciful.
Quran [5:3]
(This day, I have perfected your religion for you...) was
revealed, during the great day of Hajj (the Day of `Arafah, the ninth day of
Dhul-Hijjah) `Umar cried. The Prophet said, `What makes you cry' He said,
`What made me cry is that our religion is being perfected for us. Now it is
perfect, nothing is perfect, but it is bound to deteriorate.'
Tafsir Ibne Kathir, Tafsir of Surah 5, Verse 3
If we consider the author's approach, then we will only conclude that the verse 5:3 was revealed at the same time and speaks about the same subject. Any sane mind can realize it is not the case.
Coming back to Quran [33:33], If the wives of Rasool (SAW) were indeed included in the Ahlulbayt who are purified from all Rijs, then it is safe to assume that these wives will not disobey Rasool (SAW), because disobedience to Him (SAW) is only a result of Rijs in one's heart. Please Read how the Quran defines Rijs as.
If the wives were indeed made pure and spotless, their actions would depict so, but Quran and history tells us else wise.
If you two turn in repentance to Allah, your hearts are indeed
so inclined; but if you help one another against him, then verily, Allah is
his Protector, and Jibril, and the righteous among the believers; and after that
the angels are his helpers
Quran [66:4]
Narrated 'Umar: The wives of the Prophet
out of their jealousy, backed each other against the Prophet, so I said to
them, "It may be, if he divorced you all, that Allah will give him, instead of
you wives better than you." So this Verse was revealed. (66.5)
Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 438
The word tazahur means to cooperate mutually in opposition
to another person, or to be united against another person. Shah Waliyullah has
translated this sentence, thus: "If you mutually join together to cause distress
to the Prophet. " Shah 'Abdul Qadir's translation is: "If you both overwhelm
him." Maulana Ashraf 'AII Thanwi's translation urns: "And if you both continued
to work thus against the Prophet. " And Maulana Shabbir Ahmad 'Uthmami has
explained it thus: ,"lf you two continued to work and behave thus (against the
Prophet)."
Tafheem ul Quran, by Abul ala Maududi, Tafseer of Surah
66, Verse 4
Definitely, jealousy and causing distress to Rasool (SAW) is not being spotless, is it?
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http://www.ahlelbayt.com/articles/ahlel-bayt/wives Second Time the Quran Uses the Word “Ahlel Bayt”: Ahlel Bayt is used another time in the Quran and again this time to refer to the wives: “She said: ‘O wonder! shall I bear a son when I am an extremely old woman and this my husband an extremely old man? Most surely this is a wonderful thing.’ They said: ‘Do you wonder at Allah’s decree? The grace of Allah and His blessings on you, o you Ahlel Bayt (People of the House)! for He is indeed worthy of all praise, full of all glory!’” (Quran, 11:72-73) In the verse above, Prophet Ibrahim’s wife asks the angels how can she have a son, and they respond back calling her and Prophet Ibrahim as Ahlel Bayt. And again, the collective pronoun is used to refer to the Prophet Ibrahim and his wife. Nobody else was in the room other than them, and the angels referred to them all as Ahlel Bayt, including Prophet Ibrahim’s wife. The Quran declares that Wives are Part of the Family: Allah Almighty says that all of the members of Prophet Loot’s family will be saved aside from his wife. Allah says: “(All) except the family of Loot. Them all surely We are going to save (from destruction). Except his wife…” (Quran, 15:59-60) The construction “except his wife” would be non-sensical unless the wife was included in the family of Loot. Otherwise, why would Allah need to clarify that Loot’s wife was an exception to the rule that the family of Loot would be saved? |
We have never refused that wives are generally included in the term family or Ahlulbayt etc? The above argument is just a repetition of what the Author had stated earlier. Just to highlight the fact, Prophet Ibrahim's (AS) wife, Sarah, was not only his wife, but also his cousin and mother of another prophet, Ishaq (AS).
We have never claimed wives are not a part of one's family! Surely they are. But the part of the family of Rasool (SAW) purified by Allah does not include his (SAW) wives and that is obvious through Quranic and historic texts provided above.
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http://www.ahlelbayt.com/articles/ahlel-bayt/wives It is narrated in Sahih Muslim by Zayd ibn Arqam that the Prophet’s wives are part of the Ahlel Bayt. In Sahih Muslim (Book 31, Chapter 4, Hadith-5920), Zayd says “His wives are among the people of his household.” He further emphasized: “His spouses are a fiber of his household.” If the wives are the fiber of Ahlel Bayt, it means that they are the fundamental unit of it. |
Incomplete quotations are never appreciated by those who seek for the truth. "His wives are among the people of his household".
Yazid b. Hayyan reported, I went along with Husain b. Sabra
and 'Umar b. Muslim to Zaid b. Arqam and, as we sat by his side, Husain said to
him: Zaid. you have been able to acquire a great virtue that you saw Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) listened to his talk, fought by his side in
(different) battles, offered prayer behind me. Zaid, you have in fact earned a
great virtue. Zaid, narrate to us what you heard from Allah's Messenger (may
peace be upon him). He said: I have grown old and have almost spent my age and I
have forgotten some of the things which I remembered in connection with Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him), so accept whatever I narrate to you, and
which I do not narrate do not compel me to do that. He then said: One day
Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) stood up to deliver sermon at a
watering place known as Khumm situated between Mecca and Medina. He praised
Allah, extolled Him and delivered the sermon and. exhorted (us) and said: Now to
our purpose. O people, I am a human being. I am about to receive a messenger
(the angel of death) from my Lord and I, in response to Allah's call, (would bid
good-bye to you), but I am leaving among you two weighty things: the one being
the Book of Allah in which there is right guidance and light, so hold fast to
the Book of Allah and adhere to it. He exhorted (us) (to hold fast) to the Book
of Allah and then said: The second are the members of my household I remind you
(of your duties) to the members of my family. He (Husain) said to Zaid: Who are
the members of his household? Aren't his wives the members of his family?
Thereupon he said: His wives are the members of his family (but here) the
members of his family are those for whom acceptance of Zakat is forbidden.
And he said: Who are they? Thereupon he said: 'Ali and the offspring of 'Ali, 'Aqil
and the offspring of 'Aqil and the offspring of Ja'far and the offspring of
'Abbas. Husain said: These are those for whom the acceptance of Zakat is
forbidden. Zaid said: Yes.
Sahih Muslim Book 031, Number 5920
This is exactly the point. Prophet Muhammad's (SAW) family may include many people, including his (SAW) wives, But the Ahlulbayt in question above are those upon whom acceptance of Zakat is forbidden. Similarly, the Ahlulbayt (AS) purified from All Rijs are Ali (AS), Fatima (AS) and their two sons Hassan (AS) and Hussain (AS).
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http://www.ahlelbayt.com/articles/ahlel-bayt/wives Perhaps the reason that the Shia Ayatollahs love the Ahlel Bayt of Ali and not the Ahlel Bayt of the Prophet has to do with how the faith of Shi’ism came into being. Indeed, the early ancestors of the Shia are the Saba’ites, followers of Abdullah Ibn Saba. These Saba’ites excessively praised Ali and eventually even declared that Ali was superior to the Prophet. Today, the Shia adamantly deny this and they say that the Prophet is superior to Ali However, we wonder why then they praise the Ahlel Bayt of Ali and not the Ahlel Bayt of Muhammad? Is this not a remnant of the Saba’ite origin of Shi’ism? |
The Author assumes that the Ahlulbayt of Ali (AS) are different to those of
Muhammad (SAW) where as Sunni texts clearly say the opposite thing. I believe
the readers are mature enough to know about the Genesis of
Shiaism thus I will not speak about Ibn Saba.
As far as Shias loving the Ahlulbayt of Ali (AS) is concerned, I ask the author, why do not Shias revere other children and wives of Ali (AS), like Ibn al Hanfiyah etc, the same way as they revere Fatima bint Muhammad (AS), Hassan ibn Ali (AS) and Hussain ibn Ali (AS)? Isn't it apparent that we do so because Rasool (SAW) himself told us to do so? It might be a very unpleasant for you that all of them belong to the House hold of Ali (AS). If it was a Shia or some Jewish propaganda, wouldn't we, today, revere all of the wives and children of Imam Ali (AS) the same way?
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http://www.ahlelbayt.com/articles/ahlel-bayt/wives Scholarly Opinion: Shaikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid says: “With regard to the wives of the Prophet…they are included among the members of the family of the Prophet.” This is the majority opinion of the Ulema. |
Opinions and conjectures hold no Place in Islam, no matter to who they belong
to.
And most of them do not follow (anything) but conjecture; surely conjecture
will not avail aught against the truth; surely Allah is cognizant of what
they do.
Quran [10:36]
And if you obey most of those in the earth, they will lead you astray from
Allah's way; they follow but conjecture and they only lie.
Quran [6:116]
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http://www.ahlelbayt.com/articles/ahlel-bayt/wives One Last Argument: We ask our Shia brothers to ponder upon why the Quran and the Prophet used the term “Ahl-al-Bayt” as opposed to simply “Ahl” which means “family.” By confining the Ahl with “Al-Bayt” this is restricting who is being referred to as the family living under the roof of the Prophet . Neither Ali, Fatima, Hasan, nor Hussain lived in the same house as the Prophet. On the other hand, the Prophet’s wives most definitely did. If Allah was referring to the family of the Prophet that did not live in his house, then surely the word “Ahl” would have been more appropriate to use; the additional specification of “Al-Bayt” would then be completely extraneous and in fact self-contradictory. The phrase “Ahl-Al-Bayt” confines the Ahl to those who live inside the Bayt, which consists of the Prophet’s wives. Any other explanation is nonsensical. |
There is never an answer to a "Why", specially when the infinite wisdom of Allah
is in question. Why did Allah put me to test when he already knows I will be
going to hell or paradise?
Wives of Prophet (SAW) lived under different roofs. Which Roof specifically does the Ahlulbayt refer to? And is not the Roof of Fatima (AS) also the roof of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as stated earlier?
Maybe, the Allah refers to the four people in question, as the Ahlulbayt, or the family gathered under the roof, a roof of black cloak. Because according to the Tafsir of Sunni theologians, the Ayah 33:33 which purifies the Ahlulbayt was event specific.
'A'isha reported that Allah's Apostle
(may peace be upon him) went out one norning wearing a striped cloak of the
black camel's hair that there came Hasan b. 'Ali. He wrapped him under it, then
came Husain and he wrapped him under it along with the other one (Hasan). Then
came Fatima and he took her under it, then came 'Ali and he also took him under
it and then said: Allah only desires to take away any uncleanliness from you, O
people of the household, and purify you (thorough purifying)
Sahih-e-Muslim - Book 031, Number 5955
Ibne Kathir acknowledges what the author had negated many a times.
Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Abu Jamilah
said: "Al-Hasan bin `Ali, may Allah be pleased with them both, was appointed as
Khalifah when `Ali was killed.'' He said: "While he was praying, a man leapt
on him and stabbed him with a dagger.'' Husayn claimed that he heard that the
one who stabbed him was a man from Banu Asad, and Al-Hasan, may Allah be pleased
with him, was prostrating at the time. He said, "They claimed that he received
the wound in his hip. He was ill as a result for many months, then he recovered.
He ascended the Minbar and said: `O people of `Iraq! Have Taqwa of Allah
concerning us, for we are your leaders and your guests, and we are members of
the family (Ahl Al-Bayt) concerning whom Allah said: (Allah wishes only to
remove Ar-Rijs from you, O members of the family, and to purify you with a
thorough purification.)' He kept saying this until there was no one left in the
Masjid who was not weeping and sobbing.''
Tafsir Ibne Kathir, Tafsir of Surah 33 Verse 33
| Source:
http://www.ahlelbayt.com/articles/ahlel-bayt/wives The fact that the Prophet’s wives are Ahlel Bayt is proven from the Quran, Hadith, scholarly opinion, dictionary, logic, common sense, and common usage of the word “Ahlel Bayt.” Those who care to argue so vehemently against the verses of the Quran can only be those who hate the Ahlel Bayt so much and so passionately that they must even reject the Word of Allah. |
Just a food for thought. Why do Sunnis and shias, alike,
send blessings on Muhammad (SAW) and his Progeny only? Why are not
the wives of Rasool (SAW) included in this Durood?
"O Allah, send Your Salah upon Muhammad and upon the Progeny
of Muhammad, as You sent Your Salah upon the progeny of Ibrahim, verily You are
the Most Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. O Allah, send Your blessings upon Muhammad
and upon the Progeny of Muhammad, as You sent Your blessings upon the Progeny of
Ibrahim, verily You are Most Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.'') This Hadith has
been recorded by the Group in their books with different chains of narration.
Tafsir Ibne Kathir, Tafseer of Surah 33, Verse 56
Guess what? Wives are not included in the dictionary definition of Progeny or Aal. The question remains. Why did not Rasool (SAW) order every Muslim to send salutations and blessings on his wives also? Why is this right of Durood reserved for Muhammad (SAW), and his descendants, who are none other than those gathered under the roof of the black cloak?
Why did not Rasool (SAW) take any of his wife, including Ayesha, for Mubahila with respect to the verse:
But whoever disputes with you in this matter after what has
come to you of knowledge, then say: Come let us call our sons and your
sons and our women and your women and our near people and your
near people, then let us be earnest in prayer, and pray for the curse of Allah
on the liars.
Quran [3:61]
Tafsir al-Jalalayn, Tafsir of Surah 3, verse 61
... (The third occasion
is this) when the (following) verse was revealed:" Let us summon our children
and your children." (3:61) Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) called
'Ali, Fitima, Hasan and Husain and said: O Allah, they are my family.
Sahih Muslim, Book 31, Hadith 5915
Why was not Ayesha or any other wife of Rasool (SAW) gathered by him (SAW) as "your women"? Why only Fatima (AS)? A hint is sufficient for the wise.
We may agree to disagree and let nothing stand in our way of unity. We all have our own graves.
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