The Ahl al-Bayt in the Nahj al-Balaghah: A study of its Instances

In the verse of Purification, the Holy Quran explicitly uses the term Ahlal-Bayt. Shiite exegetes of the Holy Quran have consent that the concept of the Ahl al-Bayt finds expression in the Five Members of the Cloak (pajtan-e pak). Sunnite exegetes, however, have different views, maintaining that the term includes all the relatives of the ProphetMuhammad. The present paper, drawing on the Nahj al-Balaghah, seeks to delve into Imam Ali´s views on the Ahl al-Bayt. According to him, the Ahl al-Baythave certain characteristics that are identifiable in and applicable exclusively to the case of the personalities of the Five Members of the Cloak.