Who are the People of the House (Ahl al-Bayt), and what is the meaning of the noble verse: "Allah only intends to remove from you the impurity [of sin], O people of the House, and to purify you with [complete] purification"?

The Prophet's household (Ahl al-Bayt), may Allah bless him and grant him peace, are the Banu Hashim and the Banu Al-Muttalib. This is the preponderant view according to Al-Shafi'i and a group of scholars, based on the Prophet's saying, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: "Indeed, the Banu Al-Muttalib and the Banu Hashim are one and the same." The Prophet's wives, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, are also included in the Ahl al-Bayt, based on Allah Almighty's saying: "Allah only intends to remove from you the impurity, O people of the household." Charity is forbidden for the Prophet's wives, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, just as it is forbidden for the Banu Hashim and the Banu Al-Muttalib.