What Muslim narrated is that (1), at Ghadīr Khumm, he said:
“I am leaving among you the two weighty things: the Book of Allah.”
He then spoke of the Book of Allah and urged adherence to it. Then he said:
“And my kindred, the members of my household. I remind you of Allah (regarding my household)” (2) three times.
This is one of the reports transmitted by Muslim but not by al-Bukhārī. Al-Tirmidhī also narrated it, adding:
“The two will never (3) part until they come to me at the Pool” (4).
Several hadith masters criticized this addition and said that it was not part of the hadith. Those who deemed it authentic said that it indicates only that the kindred as a whole—namely, Banū Hāshim—will not unanimously agree upon misguidance. This was maintained by a group from among Ahl al-Sunnah, and it is among the responses given by al-Qādī Abū Ya‘lā and others.
Assuming that the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—did indeed utter the hadith recorded by Muslim, it contains nothing more than an injunction to follow the Book of Allah. This had already been enjoined during the Farewell Pilgrimage before then. He did not command (5) that his kindred be followed, but said:
“I remind you of Allah regarding my household.”
Reminding the Muslim community concerning them (6) requires that people remember what had previously been commanded: to give them their rights and refrain from wronging them. This matter had already been explained before Ghadīr Khumm.