Meaning of the Phrase Ahlul Bayt

Before I take on the verse under consideration, I would want to say that Quran was revealed in the Arabic language. In that language, the meaning of the terms 'Ahlul Bayt' (أَهْلَ الْبَيْت) and 'Ahl-i-Bayt' (أَهْلِ بَيْت) should be taken into consideration, and then that meaning be applied while interpreting these verses.

'Ahl' (أَهْل) in Arabic implies a meaning along the lines of 'people' and 'Bayt' (بَيْت) stands for a 'house'.

The terms 'Ahlul Bayt' (أَهْلَ الْبَيْت) and 'Ahl-i-Bayt' (أَهْلِ بَيْت) are both consruct states (also known as 'اضافه', i.e. genitive) according to basic Arabic grammar rules. The only difference between these two terms is 'Al' (ال) that comes with 'bayt' 'بَيْت' in the first phrase. 'Al' (ال) is a definite article translating to 'the' in English. So while 'bayt' (بَيْت) would mean 'a house', 'alBayt' (الْبَيْت) would mean 'the house'. Given this information, basic Arabic rules dictate the meaning of the phrase 'Ahlul Bayt' (أَهْلَ الْبَيْت) as "people of the house", while the phrase 'Ahl-i-Bayt' (أَهْلِ بَيْت) would mean 'people of a house'.

In the Arabic language, this phrase, as apparent from its meaning, is used commonly to represent those who live in one's house, i.e. people of the house. Now if we look at all the three verses that have been discussed so far (Hud 11:73, Al-Qasas 28:12 and Al-Ahzab 33:33) the context clearly shows that this phrase has been used for people who lived in the houses of each of the subjects under discussion. In my previous response, I quoted these verses in order to clarify the meaning of this phrase using the Quran, irrespective of why it was used for the ladies. As you shall see, this phrase in the other two verses really only means people living in the houses:

• In Hud 11:73, the phrase "people of the house" (i.e. a house under discussion) is used for Abraham's wife who lived in the house of Abraham, thus his 'people of the house'.
• In Al-Qasas 28:12, the phrase "people of a house" (i.e. people in some house) is used as an expression to indicate a lady who can nourish prophet Moses (pbuh).

As a result, when one looks at 33rd verse of Al-Ahzab, one sees that the phrase 'people of the house' is used in the context where the entire discussion is directed at prophet Muhammad (pbuh)'s wives. In this context when this phrase appears, there is no doubt that it refers to the 'people of the house' of prophet Muhammad (pbuh). In my previous responses, I have tried to clarify that it is not possible to exclude the wives of the prophet, because no matter what, they cannot be excluded from 'people of the house' since it is a historical fact that prophet's wives used to live with the Holy Prophet (pbuh).

In addition to that, this verse is preceded by verses that address prophet Muhammad (pbuh)'s wives and comes in the same context. Furthermore, it starts with the phrase "and stay in your houses and do not display your finery like the displaying of the ignorance of yore" and in the same very verse, the phrase 'people of the house' is used. It is beyond any doubt in my mind that this phrase can only refer to his wives.

Whether the address in other verses to prophet Abraham (pbuh)'s wife or prophet Moses (pbuh)'s mother is made as wives or as mothers of prophets is not really relevant since the entire discussion is around understanding the meaning of the phrase 'Ahlul Bayt' (أَهْلَ الْبَيْت), which in any case refers to the ladies living in a house. Consequently, in my opinion, these are not related to the discussion at all. In addition, even if they are related, the opinion cited therein is the opinion of the commentators, neither supported by Quran nor by Arabic grammar. Furthermore, the commentator has not provided a reason as to how they arrived at their conclusion. Unless such a reason is put forth, and can be judged critically from all aspects, it would be not be reasonable to accept it as decisive.

I would also like to add a caveat that in this discussion, I am not implying that people other than the wives of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) are necessarily excluded from the 'people of the house'. However, my main argument is around the fact that wives of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) are really implied by the phrase 'people of the house' in verse 33rd verse of Al-Ahzab and are the thus its prime addressees, and that is what I have tried to explain above.

I deeply respect your kind thoughts and I completely agree with you that one should continue to discuss as long as it keeps adding to their knowledge. In the end what you are going to believe in should be decided by you on the basis of merit of arguments that you come across, keeping in mind that our loyalty should lie with the Almighty only, and not with what we believe. If you arrive at the conclusion that Imams are to be followed, then you should believe in that. At the same time, however, if you find that that is the wrong belief, then there should be nothing in the world stopping you from rejecting what you think as against the law of God. It must work both ways.

I agree that Quran must be read with open eyes, with complete understanding, and when we study Quran, we should be free of all our biases. A friend of mine once suggested, and it was a great suggestion, that by default assume whatever you know may be wrong. Then either prove it or disprove it using Quran, and take that to be the truth. I am not sure whether you will like this suggestion or not, but I think the toughest part in most people's lives is to move their allegiance and devotion from their own set of beliefs towards God. It seems trivial in practice but I do not think that it really is. Often the difference between the two is confused and we are unable to do justice to the law of God.

Anyhow, I am glad that you are learning something from me and find some of my writings useful. I always enjoy discussing issues with anyone and correcting myself as I learn new things.