How do we reconcile the Prophetic saying "The Book of Allah and my progeny, my Ahl al-Bayt" with the reality of corrupt individuals among those who claim lineage to Ahl al-Bayt? Does adherence to them mean blind imitation or love? And what about boasting about lineage?

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, enjoined his household. Authentic hadiths have been reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, urging adherence to the Book of Allah and the purified progeny (itrah) of his household. The scholars have agreed that adherence to the itrah means emulating the righteous scholars among them, not everyone who claims relation to them. It is also part of the creed of the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamaah to love and revere the Ahl al-Bayt (household) without exaggeration. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, clarified that Allah chose him from Banu Hashim, and chose Banu Hashim from Quraysh, and Quraysh from Kinanah, and Kinanah from Banu Ismail.

The Hadith of the Cloak (Kisa') is an established hadith, and the verse from Surah Hud indicates that the wives of the Prophets are considered part of their household. The Mothers of the Believers are therefore included in the household of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.