Loving Ahlul Bayt is not particular to a specific group of people in Islam. All Muslims love the Holy Prophet's household. All Muslims admire the Holy Prophet's household. There were only a limited and small group – called Nawasib – in history and whose primary motive was most probably political. They did not have a religious motive in the true sense of the word. However, the majority of Muslims are considered as lovers of Ahlul Bayt from the beginning until today.
Well, this very sentence is a lesson for us. That lesson is the fact that through love for Ahlul Bayt, we can bring about unanimity among Muslims. This love can become a pivot for the unity and solidarity of Muslims. As the holy existence of the Prophet of Islam, the Holy Quran and Holy Ka'bah are pivots for the unity of Muslims, love for Ahlul Bayt can become a pivot for the unity of Muslims as well and it can help hearts get close to one another.
And I will tell you, dear brothers, that today, the world of Islam is in great need of this unity and solidarity. Today, the body of the world of Islam is wounded. Today, the enemies of Islam have managed to weaken Muslims by creating war and discord among Muslims. They have managed to busy them with themselves and keep their enemies safe. In West Asia, the usurping Zionist regime has security, but Muslims are attacking each other. This is a truth and reality that exists today.
And this is the work of the enemies of Islam. This is the work of the US, international Zionism and their followers and cohorts in the region. With complete regret, we should accept that inside the Islamic Ummah and inside Islamic governments, there are some people who do exactly what the US and Zionism want. They provide the financial resources, they prepare the ground and they have turned into their instrument. For what? For wounding the body of the Islamic Ummah. In such circumstances, the unity of the Islamic Ummah is the most important obligation. We should gather together.
Love of Ahlul Bayt has a Quranic root. It has a root in hadith. This is not a new idea. A hadith which is accepted by all Islamic denominations is the Hadith al-Thaqalayn. This hadith says, "I leave among you two valuable things: one of them is the Book of Allah and the other is my household. These shall not separate from each other till they meet me together at the Kawthar [reservoir] in heaven.
Although what this hadith teaches us is following Ahlul Bayt, following someone without loving them is meaningless. So, loving Ahlul Bayt can also be understood from this hadith. The Holy Quran says, "Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you, you members of the House, and to make you pure and spotless" [The Holy Quran, 33: 33]. The purity that exists in Ahlul Bayt because of the Will of Allah the Exalted is the requirement for Muslims' love and admiration for Ahlul Bayt. So, this is a tool for the unity of Muslims.
It is in the best interests of the enemies of Islam to drag war into the world of Islam and they have unfortunately done so. We have stood firm against this enemy plot and we will continue to do so. And I will tell you that we believe that by Allah's favor, grace, will and permission, we will achieve victory over our enemies in this battle.
Imam Khamenei, Nov 23, 2017
