Chapter Four: The Excellence of the Prophet’s Household and the Rights Owed to Them—without Neglect and without Excess

The Prophet’s Household (Ahl al-Bayt) are those relatives of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to whom it is forbidden to accept charity. They are the families of ʿAlī, Jaʿfar, ʿAqīl, and al-ʿAbbās; the descendants of al-Ḥārith ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib; together with the Prophet’s wives and his daughters. Concerning them, Allah the Exalted says: “Allah only intends to remove from you defilement, O People of the Household, and to purify you completely” (33:33).

Imam Ibn Kathīr (d. 774 AH) comments: “There can be no doubt— for anyone who reflects on the Qur’an— that the Prophet’s wives are included in His words, ‘Allah only intends to remove from you defilement, O People of the Household, and to purify you completely’ (33:33), for the flow of the discourse is directed to them. Hence, straight after all of this Allah says: ‘And remember what is recited in your houses of Allah’s revelations and wisdom’ (33:34)—that is, be mindful of what Allah Most High sends down upon His Messenger ﷺ in your homes of the Book and the Sunnah.” Qatādah and others said: “And remember this favor with which you have been singled out above all other people,