['Aalim Network QR] Ahlul-bayt (a.s.)

[sukaina panju <sukaina.panju@utoronto.ca>]

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|       In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the All-Merciful       |\
|  Greeting of Allah be upon Muhammad and the pure members of his House |\
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The following answer was kindly provided by Shaikh Khimjee.

Was-salaam,

 Zahir Panju 
 moderator abdg-a


 QUESTION:
 Would you explain to me why the Ahlul Bayt are not only 
 limited to Fatima, Ali, Hasan and Husain, but also include the
 nine Imams after Husain(because what I know from hadith that 
 explain about ayah 33:33 Rasulullah SAW only point to
 Fatima, Ali, Hasan and Husain as his Ahlul  Bayt).
 And also would you explain to me why the nine Imams are
 also sinless as the  four people that I mentioned
 above. Please base your explanation on Quran and hadiths.


ANSWER:

  IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE COMPASSIONATE, THE MERCIFUL
 
 Assalamu `Alaykum
 
 The name of Ahl al Bayt are not limited to Imam `Ali, 
 Bibi Faatima, Imam al Hasan and Imam al Husayn 
 `Alayhimu Ssalaam because Rasul Allah (Salla~llahu 
 `Alayhi Wa Aalihi wa Sallam) is reported to have 
 prophesied the names of the Imams from his Ahl al-Bayt 
 that would follow. In a Hadith reported, he publicly 
 announced them by name; and then each one of them is 
 reported to have announced his successor.
 The  Twelve names that Rasul Allah Salla~llahu `alayhi 
 wa Aalihi wa Sallam announced are:
 (1) Imam `Ali ibn abi Talib
 (2) Imam al-Hasan ibn `Ali
 (3) Imam al-Husayn ibn `Ali
 (4) Imam `Ali ibn al-Husayn (Zayn al Aabidin)
 (5) Imam Muhammad ibn `Ali (al-Baqir)
 (6) Imam Ja`fer ibn Muhammad (al-Saadiq)
 (7) Imam Musa ibn Ja`fer (al-Kaazim)
 (8) Imam `Ali ibn Musa (al-Rida)
 (9) Imam Muhammad ibn `Ali (al-Jawaad)
 (10)Imam `Ali ibn Muhammad (al-Haadi)
 (11)Imam Hasan ibn `Ali (Hasan al-Askari)
 (12) Imam Muhammad ibn Hasan (al-Mahdi)
 
 May Allah's Peace be upon all of them as we await the 
 return of our Twelfth Imam, also as per prophesy from 
 Rasul Allah Salla~llahu `Alyhi wa Aalihi wa sallam.
 
 By virtue of the above Hadith, they too are part of 
 the Ahl al Bayt.
 
 Since they are the Imams appointed, they too are 
 beyond making any sins,and therefore, Ma`sum.
 
 As to your question of why are they sinless or what 
 does the sinlessness mean, I think it is very 
 important to know that their sinlessness does not mean 
 that they are not humanbeings like ourselves. We are 
 not allowed to exaggerate anything about Imams and it 
 is our fundamental belief that they are human beings 
 like ourselves and are bound by all the Laws and Hukm 
 of Allah Subhanahu wa ta`ala.
 
 They do not commit sins because they are honoured 
 servants of Allah; and Allah Subhanahu wa ta`ala has 
 honoured them and has given them great dignity and 
 authority. Allah has protected them from all kinds of 
 uncleanliness and has throroughly purified them (see 
 Qur'an 33:33).
 
 They have the highest perfection and are endowed with 
 `ilm al-ladunni and chastity. They are endowed with 
 all virtues, bravery, chastity and quality.
 Further, they are the carriers and transmitters of the 
 correct Sunnah of Rasul~Allah. They are therefore our 
 Imams. They are the guides and they have the authority 
 after Rasul Allah(Salla~llahu `Alayhi wa Aalihi wa 
 Sallam) in the matters in which we require help and 
 guidance; in religious commandments, in Judgment, in 
 legislation, in the commentary of the Qur'an and in 
 the interpretation of the Qur'an.
 
 For further reading in this and other issues that 
 relate to us please see a very concise book "The Faith 
 of Shia Islam" by Muhammad Rida al-Muzaffar.
 Truly Allah IS the Knowing.
 
 Please remember me in your Du`a to Allah.
 
 Husein Khimjee.