A Study of the Position of the Prophet's Household in Introducing the Quran in the Traditions related by Kuleini

One of the important and necessary discussions in the Shiite culture is knowing the position of the Household of the Prophet, peace be upon them, in introducing the Quran, its interpretation and its implications, and their effect on the formation of the culture concerning the Quran in the society. One of the important books of Shiite hadith (traditions) which concerns the stand of the Household of the Prophet, peace be upon them, to the Quran is al-Kafi by Abu Jafar Muhammad Ibn Yaqub al-Kuleini (d. AH 329). Kulein in his Usul al-Kafi gathers some traditions on the Excellence of the Quran in one of the volumes. This volume comprises fourteen chapters and includes 124 traditions on different subjects. Besides these traditions, Kuleini adds some other traditions which he relates in different ways. He also brings thesame principles in the volume of The Prayer, and on different occasions he relates some traditions on the interpretation of the holy Quran by the household of the Prophet, peace be upon them, in other chapters and volumes. It is important, however, to note that in the study of the traditions on the Quran in this book one should not be confined to the Excellence of the Quran and the traditions are not confined to these chapters; rather the range of the traditions on the Quran are wider than the Book of Usul and the other mentioned book. In Furu and Rawdah in al-Kafi there are also many traditions which in a way are connected to the questions of subjects of superemcy and interpretation. On the other hand, al-Kafi is one of the first books which historically shows the interest in the mentioned questions and unfortunately no comprehensive and analytical study has been made. The aim of this research is to analyse and study the position of the school of Quranic studies of the people of the household and the position of the Quran in their view in the light of these traditions which indicate the position, qualities and teaching and attributes of the Quran from the viewpoint of the people of the household and their practical conduct in regard of the Quran and other issues, and the importance and position of these traditions on the basis of the realities that exist and the possible damages.