Respect for the members of the Holy Prophet's Household (Ahl ul-Bayt) from the Sunni perspective

One of the common features between Shia and Sunni is respecting and honoring the dignity of the Ahl ul-Bayt (a.s.). All Sunni - except Wahhabis – love Imams of Ahl ul-Bayt (a.s.) as the holy Prophet’s offspring and go to visit their graves. Sunni tradition sources are rich of traditions in which the virtues of Ahl ul- Bayt (a.s.) are enumerated and their love and friendship is ordered. Although Sunni as well as Shiite do not believe in Imamate of the holy Prophet’s offspring but hold a special Respect for the shrines of Ahl ul-Bayt and go forth sometimes to visit their holy graves. Even some Sunni like Shia seek recourse through Imams of Ahl ul-Bayt (a.s.) and know them the grace intermediate of the Lord. Sunni books also addressed the issue of intercession and there are many hadiths about it. This article is aimed to one of the commonalities between Shiite and Sunni, namely respect for Ahl ul-Bayt (a.s.) and on the four basis of some hadiths in Sunni books, upon four pillars of “love of Ahl ul-bayt”, “Pilgrimage”, “resort” and “courage” is examined.