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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Your Questions Answered (volume 3) Q21: Total Number of Ahlul Bayt What is the total number of Ahlut-Bait (a.s.) is it 5, 14 or more. Can we include Hazrat Ali Asghar (a.s.) and the sons of Hazrat Muslim also in Ahlul-Bait (a.s.)? Is there any limit to the number of Ahfuf-Bait (a.s.)? A. So far as the language is concerned, there is no limit. All the descendants of Ali (a.s.) and Fatima (a.s.) or all Bani Hashim may be included in this word.

But when it comes to the interpretation of the Ayat of "Purity" (Ayat-e-Tatheer), Ahadith have clearly shown that it does not include anybody except the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.), Bibi Fatimah (a.s.) and 12 Imams (a.s.). Q22: DISTINCTION OF 'PANJATAN' What are the additional distinctions of Panjatan (a.s.) over the rest of the nine innocent Imams? According to the "Event of the Blanket" (Hadise Kisa) is it only Panjatan who are Ahlul-Bait? A. Ahlul-Bait means Bibi Fatimah and 12 Imams (a.s.).

The "Panjatan" have more "Fadhilat" than the rest, because the Prophet (s.a.w.) is the supreme most of all creatures of Allah, and Hazrat Ali (a.s.) is his "Nafs", which means 'like him in almost all things (with exception of prophethood and the specialities of the prophethood)'. Bibi Fatimah (a.s.) has a position below her father and husband but above all other Imams. And these 5 Holy personalities were directly included in the Ayats of "Tat-heer," "Mubahila-" and "Mawadaat".

And Hazrat Ali, Imam Hasan, Imam Husain and 12th Imam (Peace be on them all) have "Fadhilat" over remaining 8 Imams. But it is not good for us to ponder too much on these matters. For us, all have equal authority; and if among themselves one is superior to the other, it has nothing to do with our own duties towards them. Q23: WHO IS "IMAM-E-MUBEEN"? (a) Please let me know the exact meaning of the Arabic word 'IMAM' and 'IMAM-I- MUBIN' These words are contained twelve times in Holy Qur'an.

(b) What is the meaning and commentaries of the word "YASIN' according to our Shia belief? (c) It looks many authors of Shia community claim that 12th verse of Sura Yasin (36:12) was revealed in favour of Hadhrat Ali bin Abi Talib. Will you, please, let me know at least three references of Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims respectively, who have admitted that Hadhrat Ali was "Imam-i-Mubin".