Ahl al-Kisa

'family of the cloak' ), are Muhammad the Islamic prophet, his daughter Fatima, his cousin and son-in-law Ali, and his two grandsons Hasan and Husayn.

According to the hadith of the kisa, on one occasion at least, Muhammad gathered his daughter Fatima, her husband Ali, and their two sons Hasan and Husayn under his cloak[1][2] and then prayed, "O God, these are my ahl al-bayt (lit.

[4] Variants of this tradition can be found in Sahih Muslim,[5][4] Sunan al-Tirmidhi, and Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal,[5] all canonical collections in Sunni Islam.

Other versions are reported by the Sunni scholars ibn Kathir (d. 1373), al-Wahidi (d. 1075), Qadi Baydawi (d. 1319), al-Baghawi (d. 1122), al-Suyuti (d. 1505),[6] al-Hakim al-Nishapuri (d. 1014),[7] and al-Tabari (d. 923),[8] and by the Twelver Shi'a exegete Muhammad Husayn Tabataba'i (d. 1981),[6] among many others.

After an inconclusive debate about Jesus between Muhammad and a delegation from the Christian community of Najran, both parties decided to engage in mubāhala, where they would pray to invoke God's curse upon whoever was the liar.

[8] Shias also believe in the redemptive power of the pain and martyrdom endured by the Ahl al-Bayt (particularly by Husayn) for those who empathize with their divine cause and suffering.

'"[29] The Shia-leaning historian ibn Ishaq narrates that Muhammad specified that the relatives في القربى) in this verse are Ali, Fatima, and their two sons, Hasan and Husayn.

[30] Most Sunni authors, however, reject the Shia view and offer various alternatives;[29] chief among them is that this verse enjoins love for kin in general.

[35][36] In particular, verses 76:7–12 read,They fulfill their vows and fear a day whose evil is widespread, and give food, despite loving it, to the indigent, the orphan, and the captive.