By:

SHARIFAH NOORULHUDA BINTI HABIB ELIAS

(G1319600)

A proposal submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
Degree of Master of Arts (Islamic Thought And Civilization)
MAITC

Ahl al-bayt in the Sunni and Shite
Literature in Malaysia
In Malaysia, the meaning of the Arabic word ahl
al-bayt is confined to biological descendants of the
Prophet who, are also known as the Alawiyyun
(Shihabuddin, 2007, p. 442; M. Al-Baqir, 1986, p. 50).

They are people who too, carry the initial name
of Syed or Sayyid and Habib for male; Syarifah for
female and some even go further to include Nik,
Long, Wan and Megat (al-Masyhur, 2012, p. 205;
Muzaffar, 2003, p. 20).
INTRODUCTION
The reason most probably lies in the limited
exploration of alternative explanations from existing
primary literature that deals with the topic.

Hence, this thesis will examine and present
criteria of ahl al-bayt which will serve as the
instrument to analyse few selected Malay Sunni and
Shite literature.
INTRODUCTION
This study will attempt to answer the following questions:
What are the criteria of ahl al-bayt in the Qurn and
Hadth?
How is the term portrayed in selected Malay Sunni
and Shite literature in the light of Qurn and
Hadth?
What are the similarities and differences in the
literature produced by Sunnis and Shiites and with
what consequences?

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
DEFINITION
In al-Muhkam wa al-Muhit al-Adham by Abi
Al-Hasan Ali (d. 1066 C.E.) as he quoted
Sibawayh, (d. 796 C.E.).

Ahl al-bayt for one person lexically means
people of ones house or ones relative
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
DEFINITION
In the case of Prophet Muhammad SAW, the
widely accepted terminology of his ahl al-bayt
in this region refers to his wives and children;
especially Sayyidatina Fatimah AS (Prophets
youngest daughter) which includes her
husband, Sayyidina Ali AS (Prophets cousin),
her sons, Sayyidina Hasan and Husin AS and
their descendants.
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
VIEWS ON AHL AL-BAYT
Ibn al-Qayyim, in Jil al-Afhm fi Fadhli al-
olah wa al-Salam ala Muhammad Khair al-
Anam (p. 119-120) grouped views on ahl al-
bayt into six different categories
All these are also cited by (Al-Husaini, 1998) and
(Shihabuddin, 2007).
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
VIEWS ON AHL AL-BAYT
1. The wives of the prophets (Al-Syaukani, n.d., p. 178)
which are based on the views of Ikrimah and al-Zujaj
who took support from the narrations by Muqatil bin
Sulaiman, Atha, Kalbi, Ibnu Abbas Said bin Jubair
2. The wives of the prophets and ahl al-kisa or people of
the clock (Prophet Muhammad SAW Sayyidina Ali AS,
Sayyidatina Fatimah AS and her two sons, Hasan and
Husain AS).
3. Those who are not entitled to adqah and zakh.
This opinion is further elaborated by interpretations
of the schools of jurisprudence:

BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
VIEWS ON AHL AL-BAYT (Jurisprudence)
The Shafiis and Ahmad (The Hanbalis) choose
Bani Hashim and Bani Abdul Mualib.
The Hanafis and some of the Hanbalis and
Malikis (al-Qasim) prefer only Bani Hashim and
that means the family of Ali, Abbas, Aqil and
Jaafar.
Asyhab from Malikis prefer Bani Hashim and the
upper line descendants from Bani Abdul Mualib,
Bani Umayyah, Bani Naufal up to Bani Galib

BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
VIEWS ON AHL AL-BAYT
4. Those descendants of the Prophet SAW including
his wives. It finds evidence in a Hadth narrated by Abu
Humaid: O Allah, may salawat be there for Muhammad,
his wives, children and grandchildren.
5. The followers of the Prophet until the day of Judgement.
(It is supported by Ibnu Abdil Barri, Jabir ibnu Abdillah, al-
Baihqi, Sufyan al-Tsauri and part of the Shafiis)
6. Those muttaqun (those pious ones possessing God
consciousness or mindfulness) among his ummah.
(community). It is based on Hadth reported by al-
Thabrani from Anas the family of
the Prophet is every God mindful believer.

BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
In short,
As far as the Malays are concerned, the very idea of ahl
al-bayt was quite vague to many.
In recent development, there are attempts to
introduce ahl al-bayt to the Malaysian public
emphasizing their rights to be recognized, respected
and revered.
At first glance it seems to be an advantage in
promoting Shite basic doctrines. This, however, is not
the purpose of this thesis.
The thesis will try to explain its meaning (especially the
sixth view) and the way it is used to promote ones
belief
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
The need to revive the unsung ahl al-bayt;
finding ways to complement the Salmanic and the
biological Hashemite or Alawiyyin Hadramis kind of
ahl al-bayt.
There are possibilities of conflict of interests
among the existing ahl al-bayt
there arises need to deal with the conflict because in
almost all cases, it is driven by personal interests such
as power, wealth and self immunity



JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM

There should be a research to prove that they (ahl al-
bayt according to the existing understanding) are
NOT the only legitimate group of scholars
who has the monopoly on the leadership of
the Ummah in religious, spiritual and
academic terms (Sallabi, 2003, p. 54).
..at present, the deteriorating state of
intellectual and spiritual state of descendants
of the prophet beginning from 17
th
century.
(al-Baqir p. 34)

JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM

A crucial need for better acknowledgement of
the term
since what is known is fairly limited and
distorted and confined among few interested
and benefitting groups. (Shites who are well
known for their extreme inclinations and
reverence towards ahl al-bayt and those
claimants of purely biological realm)



JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM

It is about time to review the term using
contemporary methodology
to arrive at any findings that helps to
contribute to the limited literature on this
term and relatively if not comprehensively
uncast any doubts therein.


JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM

In the light of the above discussion, the study aims
at achieving the following objectives:
To find elaborate criteria of ahl al-bayt from the
Qurn and Hadth.
To examine two Malay Sunni works and a Shite
work that deal with the term in the light of the
Qurn and Hadth.
To compare the Sunni works with a Shite work
on ahl al-bayt and their related consequences.
OBJECTIVES
Two group of writers:
works done by the Alawiyyun (existing ahl al-
bayt) or significant others (the Shite) that share
similar interests in and views on the topic
Works done by non members, in response to
dissatisfactions of some principles hold by the
Alawiyyun.
Three main categories namely:
merits, principles and persona.

LITERATURE REVIEW
ahl al-bayt and their merits

Al-Husaini, (1998), Muzaffar (2001;2006), Shihabuddin (2007),
Darwish (2010), Jumah (2012) and Al-Masyhur (2012) deal with the
PRIVILEGES, SIGNIFICANCE AND VENERATION THAT THE BEARERS
OF THE TITLE HOLD WHICH IN TURNS CALL FOR OTHER MUSLIMS
TO GIVE THEIR RIGHTS OF REVERENCE, RESPECT AND PRAYER TO
THE FAMILY OF CONCERNED. Some writers go further to
substantiate their rights to reverences and privileges by justifying it
with embedded good deeds and miracles (Al-Masyhur, 2011; al-
Baqir, 1986).
So far, this area of discussion has not been subjected to any
refutations and criticisms since it has been a well known practiced
by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) himself and supported by plenty
of authentic Hadth
LITERATURE REVIEW
ahl al-bayt and their noteworthy principles ,

The main defining criteria of their esprit de corps is the matter of
sadaqah (charity) and zakt (alms giving) prohibitions which have
been significantly highlighted by the group (Al-Husaini, 1998), (Al-
Masyhur, 2012), (Forum Santri Sunniyah Salafiyah Pasuruan, 2012),
(Muzaffar, 2010) and (Shihabuddin, 2007). Others that hint at the
controversy are matters dealing with marriage and religious bearing
such as the validity in authority and realms of spiritual teachings
and practice (tareqah balawi or tareqah ahl al-bayt). While Syed
(2009), al-Masyhur, (2012) and Alidin (2007) record that the ahl al-
bayt from among the Alawiyyun strongly sticks to their
understanding of kaf`ah (conformity?) in marriage from among
their own blood

LITERATURE REVIEW
the persona of ahl al-bayt,

There seemed to be well accepted notion that the Alawiyyun carries the
indisputable title of ahl al-bayt as mentioned in the Prophetic traditions (Al-
Husaini, 1998), (Al-Masyhur, 2012), (Forum Santri Sunniyah Salafiyah Pasuruan,
2012), (Motoki, 2012) and (Shihabuddin, 2007). Nonetheless, recent progress of
attributing publics lineage to the Prophet in this region creates unrest among
them especially when such claims are made without prior reference to the keeper
of prophetic genealogical tree; the nuqaba(Al-Masyhur, 2012; Syfadhil, 2007;
Shihabuddin, 2007). BOTH CLAIMANTS SEEK REFUGE IN JUSTIFIED JURISTIC
ARGUMENTS WHICH ARE SOLELY GROUNDED ON BLOOD TIES OR MARITAL
FACTORS. While the former traced their ancestors way back to Hadramaut (Al-
Haddad, 1986; Kesheh, 1999; Al-Husaini, 1998), the latter came from Hadramaut
through India and moved to the Malay archipelago (Al-Haddad, 1986; Wan, 2001,
2002, 2005). It is necessary to note that there seems to be almost non existence of
any discussion on the other member of ahl al-bayt represented by Salman Al-Farisi
and the like.

LITERATURE REVIEW
Among the Shites, apart from agreeing with the Sunnis on
merits attributed to the ahl al-bayt, generally, all of them,
Husein (2001), Al-Qazwini (2009), and Al- Samawi, (n.d.)
understand the term as exclusively belonging to the
household of Sayyidina Ali AS, his wife Sayyidatina
Fatimah, their sons, Sayyidina Hasan and Husin and some
of their selected pedigrees. This claim is further supported
by two books donated to the International Islamic
University Malaysia (IIUM) by al-Balagh Foundation (1992)
in 1993 and al-Balagh Foundation (1998) in 2001. However,
in all cases, their merits on ahl al-bayt extend as far as
divinely legitimizing the rights of the family in leadership
and authorities both religiously and politically
LITERATURE REVIEW
This study hope to find elaborate criteria of whos who
of the ahl al-bayt based on the indicator given by the
Prophet SAW of Salman Al-Farisi AH and his like;
finding evidences to endorse the muttaqun group.
Then, compare it with the existing Sunni and Shite
literature. Needless to say, this is an area not
exhaustively make known to public though previous
scholars have made some contributions here and
there. Hence, such attempts are necessary to
systematically emphasize on the other face of ahl al-
bayt; the one perhaps, with more enduring spirit and
nature.
LITERATURE REVIEW
This is a comparative study - comparing the
literature on ahl al-bayt. The comparison has to
be focused. This study will therefore compare the
two types of literature focusing on the following
concepts:
1. Definition of ahl al-bayt.
2. Identification of members of ahl al-bayt.
3. Attributes of ahl al-bayt.
4. Reverence in which the ahl al-bayt are held
in two literatures.

FRAMEWORK FOR ANALYSIS
This paper will use qualitative study of content
analysis. This too, may include the linguistic
analytical approach and traditionally thematic
one. In other words, the data collection
procedures include:
Content Analysis
Library research

FRAMEWORK FOR ANALYSIS
Data collection and analysis
Content Analysis
Elo & Kyngas (2008) suggested that the inductive content
analysis process is represented as three main phases:
preparation, organizing and reporting.
Mohd Shukri Hanapi (2013) in his study on human
development also uses three steps which can be applied in
this study ; firstly, identifying related Qurnic verses and
Hadths on ahl al-bayt and their essences; secondly, using a
thematic exegesis approach to analyze the identified
Qurnic verses and Hadths; and thirdly, to develop the
conceptual elements of ahl al-bayt based on the identified
verses of the Qurn and Hadths.

FRAMEWORK FOR ANALYSIS
Data collection and analysis
Library research
It may also gather scattered works by
reputed Sunni scholars on the applied
meaning of the term (ahl al-bayt) that exist in
similarity with the Qurnic and Hadth context
and terminology. This is to GUIDE ANY
LOGICAL PRESENTATION OF THE CONTENT
ANALYSIS to arrive at intended reviewed
criteria.
FRAMEWORK FOR ANALYSIS
Data collection and analysis

In achieving the FIRST OBJECTIVE, a QUALITATIVE RESEARCH WITH AN
EXPLANATORY AND DESCRIPTIVE design uses the thematic exegesis
(tafsir al-mawduiy )



FRAMEWORK FOR ANALYSIS
Data collection and analysis
(preliminary)
NO. ELEMENTS CHARACTERISTICS
1.
Definition of ahl al-bayt
Types of al, ahl, ahl al-bayt, al-qurbah
?
?
2.
Identification of ahl al-bayt
The process of being ahl al-bayt
People who have knowledge of the Quran?
3.
Attributes of ahl al-bayt
The heirs of the prophet
The siddiqun
The sayyid
4.
Reverence of ahl al-bayt
Rights of reverence.
?
?
FRAMEWORK FOR ANALYSIS
Data collection and analysis
Among the books dedicated for the comparative study are:








Sunni books by Malaysian authors:

FRAMEWORK FOR ANALYSIS
Data collection and analysis
Among the book dedicated for the comparative study is:








Shiite book by a Malaysian author:

FRAMEWORK FOR ANALYSIS
Data collection and analysis
Analytical chart of the whole thesis will be as follows

The necessity of contemporary understanding
of the term ahl al-bayt is pivotal to position their
status in the Muslim society. Moreover, it
concerns personalities being paired with the
Qurn (as apparent in Hadth al-thaqalayn). It
follows that ahl al-bayt exists in so far as the
Qurn exists. Again, the issue of ahl al-bayt is
deemed crucial since it is gaining impact on the
contemporary Malaysian society.






CONCLUSION