Prophet's Family

Speech by Maulana Syed Shah Murtaza Ali Sufi Hyder Quadri in conference at Masjid Hafiz Danka, Hyderabad
Published in Muslim Murasu, January 2012

The subject and title of this conference is 'Ahle Bait and Kulafaye Rashideen'. Kulafaye Rashideen refers to four Khalifas. Bait means house. Ahle Bait means people of the house.
A section among Muslims are respectful and sincere in their love for Prophet’s family. But they say mischievous words about companions of Prophet. Another section pay due respect to Sahabas but do not show the same respect and reverence to the family of Prophet. ‘Gharwale’ in Urdu refers spouse. In Arabic, ‘Ahle Bait’ refers to wives of Prophet.
Surah 33, Ahzab, verse 33 – Ye Members of the Family! God wishes to remove all impurities from you and make you completely pure.
Allah refers to wives and offspring of Prophet. In Arabic language, ‘kum’ is for plural masculine gender and ‘kunna’ is used for plural feminine gender. The grammatical structure used in this verse points to both the gender.
Prophet called Ali, Fathima, Hasan and Husain (rali) to come under his blanket. Five under the blanket are called as ‘Panchatani Pak’. Panch – five; than – body; pak – pure. ‘Pure five’ concept is not exclusive to Shia ideology. Sunnath Jamath shares this notion as well. Prophet told that it is Wajib to have love for Fathima, Ali, Hasan and Husain (rali).
Verse 6 in this Surah says, “Prophet is more important to Moomin than their own lives and his wives are their mothers”. All eleven wives will come under Ahle Bait.
It will also include Ali’s brother Jafar(rali). Prophet had nine Chachas (paternal uncles). Of them Hamza and Abbas (rali) accepted Islam and are Sahabas.
Abu Talib was also Prophet’s Chacha. Some Muslims are using unkind words for him. This is wrong. Prophet was ostracized along with his family members for three years. This included believers and unbelievers alike and all of them were persecuted. Abu Talib used to wake up Prophet in the middle of the night and ask him to take a different place to sleep. He will ask his son to take Prophet’s place. When Prophet asked about this, Abu Talib explained, “Someone can try to kill you. Hence I am making this arrangement”. Abu Talib did not openly embrace Islam. But he did not brazenly deny either. It is better to maintain silence about him than wrongfully and harshly criticizing him.
Abu Lahab was one Chacha. He was arch-nemesis. A Surah was sent down cursing him. Prophet’s aunty Safiya (rali) embraced Islam.
Prophet’s sons were Kasim, Ibrahim and Abdullah. All of them passed away at their young age. Daughters were Jainab, Rukkaiya, Ummu Kulthum and Fathima (rali). Jainab married a Sahaba. Rukkaiya married Usman (rali) and when Rukkaiya passed away, Ummu Kulthum was given in marriage to Usman (rali). There are no descendants of Jainab, Rukkaiya and Ummu Kulthum.
Prophet said, “Whoever hurts Fathima, hurts me, and whoever hurts me, hurts God. They will enter hell”. Descendants of Fathima (rali) are present now. Prophet told that I leave two things with you. In one hadees they are told as Quran and Sunnath and in another hadees they are told as Quran and my family. Mahadee will be Fathima’s descendant.
Prophet likens his family to ship of Prophet Nooh. We learn from another hadees that Prophet has likened his companions to stars. We have to understand and fully realize the merit and importance of Prophet’s family and his companions. Our ship will neither sink nor stray and we will safely reach our destination. This conference is labelled ‘Azeemoshan’ conference. It is not because of this place or the organizers who arranged this. It is because the family members and companions of Prophet who were mentioned here are exalted and praise-worthy.