"When these Ayat were revealed to the Prophet (ﷺ): 'Allah only wishes to remove the Rijs from you, O members of the family, and to purify you with a thorough purification...' (33:33) in the home of Umm Salamah, he called for Fatimah, Hasan, Husain, and wrapped them in a cloak, and 'Ali was behind him, so he wrapped him in the cloak, then he said: 'O Allah! These are the people of my house, so remove the Rijs from them, and purify them with a thorough purification.' So Umm Salamah said: 'And am I with them O Messenger of Allah?' He said: 'You are in your place, and you are more virtuous to me.'"
Hadith Commentary: The Purification of the Ahl al-Bayt
This narration from Jami' at-Tirmidhi (Hadith 3787) concerns the manifestation of the divine purification mentioned in Surah al-Ahzab, verse 33. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) specifically gathered his daughter Fatimah, his grandsons Hasan and Husain, and his cousin and son-in-law 'Ali ibn Abi Talib under his cloak, designating them as the "Ahl al-Bayt" (People of the House) for whom the verse of purification was primarily revealed.
The Scope of the Term "Ahl al-Bayt"
Scholars explain that the Prophet's action of gathering these specific individuals under the cloak was a divinely-inspired clarification (bayan) of who is intended by the term "Ahl al-Bayt" in this particular context. It demonstrates that the wives of the Prophet, while immensely virtuous and part of his household in a general sense, are not included in the specific, exclusive designation of "Ahl al-Bayt" intended by this verse of purification (Tathir).
The Status of Umm Salamah
Umm Salamah's question, "And am I with them O Messenger of Allah?" and the Prophet's gentle response, "You are in your place, and you are more virtuous to me," is a masterful example of prophetic wisdom. He affirmed her high status and virtue as his wife without including her in the specific, unique spiritual rank of the Ahl al-Bayt defined by this verse. This distinction does not diminish the honor of the Mothers of the Believers but clarifies a particular spiritual reality.
The Meaning of "Rijs" and "Tathir"
The word "Rijs" (translated as filth or impurity) in the verse refers to spiritual and moral impurities, including sin, error in religious matters, and any spiritual blemish. The "thorough purification" (Tathir) is a unique, divinely granted state of spiritual immaculacy and protection from major sin (Ismah) that Allah bestowed specifically upon these individuals, making them pure models for the Ummah to emulate in belief, conduct, and devotion.