The Semantic Structure of Surah al-Ahzab and the Place of the Tat-hir (Purification) Verse in it

Examining the relationship between the verses of a surah and the semantic structure is a new method in interpreting the Quran. The semantic structure says that each surah has a main purpose and all the verses and issues discussed in the surah are related to that purpose. The examination of the context of the verses and the utilization of other methods of discovering the purpose of the surah clarified that the purpose of the Surah al-Ahzab is “to relieve the pressure exerted on the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) by different groups of the society”. One of the benefits of delineating the semantic structure of surahs is to help resolve interpretive disputes. In Surah al-Ahzab, there is an interpretive dispute about the tat-hir (purification) verse. Relying on the context of the verses, the Sunnis believe that “Ahl al-Bayt” in the tat-hir verse refers to the wives of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.), and considering the narrations of the Infallibles (p.b.u.th.), the Shiite commentators hold that “Ahl al-Bayt” refers to the five pure individuals, i.e. Prophet Mohammad, Hazrat-e Fetemeh, Imam Ali, Imam Hasan and Imam Hussein (a.s.). However, a careful study of the context of the verses, the semantic structure and purpose of Surah al-Ahzab refutes the Sunnis’ evidence which is the context of the verses.