There seems to be no disagreement among Muslims about the validity of following the teachings of the household of the prophet in understanding Islam, especially according to the Sunni view which considers even all the companions of the prophet as reliable sources of understanding Islam. There is no doubt then that the household of the prophet are reliable and trustworthy in their understanding and presentation of Islam.
This fact becomes even clearer when we refer to the numerous traditions from the prophet about the necessity of following his household.
The tradition of Thaqalayn
One of these traditions (which is accepted by both Sunni and Shi'a scholars) is the famous tradition of Thaqalayn which was uttered by the prophet on different occasions. Despite minor differences in the wording the essence remains the same in all versions of the tradition.
The holy prophet said:
I leave among you two precious things, which if you hold on to, you will never go astray after me: the book of God which is like a rope extended between the heaven and the earth, and my household. These two things will not separate from each other until they reach me near the fountain on the Day of Judgment. Take care in how you treat them after me. [1]
Reflection on the tradition of Thaqalayn
No one can say that the book of God is enough, and that we do not need the household of the prophet, or vice versa, for the prophet clearly said: I leave two precious things that you must grasp and if you do so you will not be misled.
Now let's reflect on the content of the hadith; the fact that the prophet had left among Muslims two weighty things; the Quran and his household, and that as long as people hold on to them both, they will not go astray. This shows that these two things must always be in harmony with each other. Otherwise the prophet would not have given the instruction to follow both of them.
Thus this tradition in all versions indicates that:
1) from the time of the prophet until the end of the world the book of God and the household of the prophet will always be together.
2) No one can say that the book of God is enough, and that we do not need the household of the prophet, or vice versa, for the prophet clearly said: I leave two precious things that you must grasp and if you do so you will not be misled.
...The fact that the prophet had left among Muslims two weighty things; the Quran and his household, and that as long as people hold on to them both, they will not go astray. This shows that these two things must always be in harmony with each other. Otherwise the prophet would not have given the instruction to follow both of them.
3) The household of the prophet would never make mistakes and they are always truthful.
4) It is also interesting that according to this tradition the household of the prophet, like the Quran itself is held to be persistent until the Day of Judgment. Thus, the household of the prophet will never disappear, even for a short period of time.
5) Only those who follow both the Quran and the household of the prophet are on the right path because the holy prophet has commanded us to do so and said: if you hold on to them you will never go astray.
[1] انی تارک فیکم الثقلین کتاب الله وعترتی ما ان تمسکتم بهما لن تضلوا بعدی: کتاب الله فیه‌الهدی والنور حبل ممدود من السماء الی الارض وعترتی اهل بیتی وان اللطیف الخبیر قد اخبرنی‌انهما لن یفترقا حتی یردا علی الحوض وانظروا کیف تخلفونی فیهما
This tradition in its different versions can be found in major Sunni sources, such as: Sahih Muslim (Vol: 8, p: 25, No: 2408), musnad of Imam Ahmad ( Vol: 3. P: 388, No: 10720). Sahih of Tirmidi (Vol: 5, p: 6432, Nu: 3788 ), Sunan of darimi (Vol: 2, p: 432), It is also mentioned in books such as Usd al-Ghabah by Ibn Athir (Vol: 2, p: 13) Al- Sunan al-Kubra by Bayhaqi (Vol: 2, p: 198)…
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