Ahl al-Bayt and the Verse of Purification — Understanding in Light of Qur’an and Sunnah
Source: Fatāwā ‘Ilmiyyah (Tawḍīḥ al-Aḥkām), Vol. 2, p. 69
Allah ﷻ states in the Qur’an regarding the Ahl al-Bayt of the Prophet ﷺ that “We have purified you”. What is the meaning of this verse? Some people use this verse to claim the doctrine of infallible Imams (A’immah Ma‘sūmīn) and cite the ḥadīth known as “Ḥadīth al-Kisā’.” Is this ḥadīth authentic?
Regarding Sūrat al-Aḥzāb, verse 33, the eminent Companion ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās رضي الله عنهما said:
«نزلت فی نساء النبی صلی الله علیه وسلم»
"It was revealed specifically about the wives of the Prophet ﷺ."
References: [Tafsīr Ibn Abī Ḥātim], [Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr: 3/491]
The Qur’an itself shows that wives are included in the Ahl al-Bayt. For example:
Reference: [Aḥkām al-Qur’ān by al-Qāḍī Abū Bakr ibn al-‘Arabī, p. 429]
Conclusion:
The Ahl al-Bayt in the Verse of Purification includes the wives of the Prophet ﷺ, and the purification mentioned refers to spiritual and moral purity — not to the Shī‘ah concept of infallibility.
وَالله أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatāwā ‘Ilmiyyah (Tawḍīḥ al-Aḥkām), Vol. 2, p. 69
Question:
Allah ﷻ states in the Qur’an regarding the Ahl al-Bayt of the Prophet ﷺ that “We have purified you”. What is the meaning of this verse? Some people use this verse to claim the doctrine of infallible Imams (A’immah Ma‘sūmīn) and cite the ḥadīth known as “Ḥadīth al-Kisā’.” Is this ḥadīth authentic?
The Qur’an and the Verse of Purification
Regarding Sūrat al-Aḥzāb, verse 33, the eminent Companion ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās رضي الله عنهما said:
«نزلت فی نساء النبی صلی الله علیه وسلم»
"It was revealed specifically about the wives of the Prophet ﷺ."
References: [Tafsīr Ibn Abī Ḥātim], [Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr: 3/491]
- This narration’s chain is ḥasan (good).
- The narrator ‘Ikrimah رحمه الله was ready to engage in mubahalah to affirm that in this verse, Ahl al-Bayt refers to the wives of the Prophet ﷺ.
Inclusion of the Wives in Ahl al-Bayt — Qur’anic Proof
The Qur’an itself shows that wives are included in the Ahl al-Bayt. For example:
- Sūrat Hūd, verses 71–73 clearly refer to the wife of Ibrāhīm عليه السلام as part of his household.
Correct Meaning of the Verse of Purification
- To take this verse as proof for infallible Imams is:
- Not proven from the Companions رضي الله عنهم,
- Not proven from the Tābi‘īn,
- Not proven from the Imams of Ahl al-Sunnah.
- The intended tathīr (purification) here means:
- Purity from sins, shirk, the whispers of Shayṭān, evil deeds, and bad morals.
Reference: [Aḥkām al-Qur’ān by al-Qāḍī Abū Bakr ibn al-‘Arabī, p. 429]
The Doctrine of Infallible Imams
- The concept of A’immah Ma‘sūmīn is not part of Ahl al-Sunnah’s beliefs.
- It is a fabricated doctrine of the Rāfiḍah (Shī‘ah) and has no foundation in the Qur’an or authentic Sunnah.
Conclusion:
The Ahl al-Bayt in the Verse of Purification includes the wives of the Prophet ﷺ, and the purification mentioned refers to spiritual and moral purity — not to the Shī‘ah concept of infallibility.
وَالله أعلم بالصواب
