This verse does not imply that the family of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم were sinful before the verse was revealed معاذاللہ, and that they were only purified after this revelation. Rather, the verse means, O family of the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! Allah Almighty will not allow you to be tarnished by the impurity of sin and immorality. We learn from this that the pure wives and blessed descendants of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم are free of sin.^[1]

Free from all immoralities

Mufti Muhammad NaꜤīm Uddīn Murādābādī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه said, “This verse fundamentally explains the virtues, rank and greatness of the Ahl al-Bayt. Allah Almighty purified them from all evil traits and protected them from everything that is not befitting of their rank.”^[2]

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                                     صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Who are the Ahl al-Bayt?

Imam Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه states regarding the aforementioned verse:

There are differing opinions regarding who is included in the Ahl al-Bayt. It is better to say that the entire family of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and his wives makes up the Ahl al-Bayt. Imam Ḥasan and Ḥusayn رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهُمَا and Sayyidunā ꜤAlī b. Abī Ṭālib رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ are included too.^[3]

Dear Islamic brothers, keep in mind that the noble Ahl al-Bayt are protected from sin, but they are not infallible. Only the prophets and angels are infallible. To be protected from sin means it is possible to sin,