Title: Regarding the Prophet's "Ahl al-Bayet" Question: Does the phrase ahl-ul-bait [1] refer to just the Prophet's (SAWS) immediate family? Or can it also be used to describe his ummah ? fi amanillah , Answer: The phrase " " ( Ahl al-Bayet ) or " " ( Ahlak ), in the classical Arabic language, as well as in the Qur'an, just like the general usage of the phrase " " ( Ahl e Khaana ) in the Urdu language, is used as a polite and respectful reference to the wife/wives of a person. As an expansion of this connotation, sometimes the phrase is also used to refer to the members of one's household. However, it is clear that the Qur'an has used this phrase to refer to one's wife/wives. The Qur'an has used this phrase at two instances. In Surah Hu'd 11: 73, the phrase has been used for Sarah (ra), the wife of Abraham (pbuh). While in Surah Al-Hujraat 33: 33, it has been used to address the wives of the Prophet (pbuh). At both these instances, the context of the related verses clearly points to the fact that the reference of this phrase is toward the wife/wives of the two prophets of God. The phrase Ahl al-Bayet is not used in the Arabic language for the Ummah or the following of a person. Nevertheless, the word " " ( Aal ) as in " " has also been used to imply the followers of a person, besides the obvious connotation of one's children, as is clear from the phrase " Aal-e-Fir`aun " itself ( Al-Baqarah 2: 49, 50, Aal Imraan 3: 11, Al-Aa`raaf 7: 130, 141, Al-Anfaal 8: 52, 54 etc.), as the Pharaoh referred to in this verse did not have any biological children. 28 th December 1999 [1] lit: 'the household".