It is going to explain the relationship between the Qur'an, Sunnah and ahl-albait (A) according to the Qur'anic and prophetic teachings.
Since there are two different versions of the well-known Hadith al-Thaqalainn (the two weighty things) from the Prophet Muhammad (P) that says:
" Indeed I am leaving two things among you, to which if you hold yourself, you will never astray: the book of Allah –who is all mighty and great- and my ahl al-bayt (household), my 'itra (family)." [1] In some of the versions it is stated that "… The second is my tradition (Sunnah). [2]
Now, the question is that was it hold tight to the Quran and the Ahlulbayt or the Quran and the Sunnah (doings of the prophet)?
To answer this question, I would like to emphasize the definition of Sunnah and Ahl al-Bait. Because, prior to answer the Question, we must have a true description of the Sunnah and Ahl al-Bait. The most important question is that who can teach us the true interpretation of the Holy Quran and the most authentic traditions of the Prophet (P) except for the Ahl al-Bait?
It is only the Prophet’s household who can teach us the Quran, as well as the Prophet’s most authentic and reliable traditions. Because, the Ahl al-Bait, including the Lady Fatima, Ali, Hassan and Hossain (PBUTH), were living with the Prophet (P), and the Prophet (P) Himself brought them up teaching them the Quran, true Islamic principles, doctrines and traditions. For instance, Ali (A) lived with the Prophet (P) from his childhood to the end of the Prophet’s life. Now the question is that if we want to learn the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet (P), should we refer to Ali (A) or to the people like Abu Horaira who accompanied the Prophet (P) for merely a few years.
In conclusion, not only the Ahl al-Bait, Quran and Sunnah are not separated, but also without the Prophet’s household, we cannot understand the true interpretation of the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet (P).
Notes:
[1] Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.1 p.294. إِنِّی تَارِک فِیکمْ أَمْرَینِ إِنْ أَخَذْتُمْ بِهِمَا لَنْ تَضِلُّوا- کتَابَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ أَهْلَ بَیتِی عِتْرَتِی
[2] Sunan al-Kubra, vol. 10, p. 114 hadith no. 20123.