The Event of the Cloak
A cloak is a large piece of clothing which is put on the shoulders and keeps people warm. The event of the cloak involved Prophet Mohammad covering himself and his closest family members with a cloak.
The event of the cloak is important because it tells us that the 'Ahlul Bayt' are Prophet Mohammad, Fatima al Zahra, Imam Hassan, Imam Hussain and Imam Ali. Through this event Allah (swt) also shows us that they are pure from uncleanliness and sins and that he created the heavens and earth because of his love towards them.
Therefore the Ahlul Bayt are the best leaders for Muslims because they do not do anything wrong or hurt anyone and if we follow them we will be able to worship Allah in the correct way.
The event of the cloak is mentioned in the Quran in Surat al Tat hir. A Hadith narrated by a close and good friend of the Prophet called Jabir gives us all the details about who and what the verse in the Quran is talking about. This Hadith is called Hadith al Kisa, and whoever reads the hadith and realises the importance of Ahlul Bayt has been promised to be showered with mercy and forgiveness from Allah.
What happened during the event of the Cloak?
the event of the cloak happened one day while the prophet was feeling tired and entered the house of his daughter Fatima to rest. He tells Fatima that he is feeling weakness in his body and asks her to give him a cloak, with which he covers himself.
After some time, Imam Hassan enters the house, then after some time Imam Hussain entered and then finally Imam Ali. Each of them greeted Fatima al Zahra in a polite way and asked her whether the beautiful smell they noticed is that of Prophet Mohammad. She replied yes and told them that Prophet Mohammad is in the house and that he is under a cloak. They each asked Prophet Mohammad if they are allowed to sit with him under the cloak. Prophet Mohammad loved them all and he replied yes to all of them.
Finally Fatima al-Zahra approaches the Prophet and asks him if she may also join them under the cloak and she also enters after the Prophet allows her to.
While they are under the cloak the Prophet prays to Allah and says:
'O Allah! These are my Ahlul-Bayt.
They are my confidants, and my supporters.
Their flesh is my flesh and their blood is my blood.
Whoever hurts them, hurts me.
Whoever displeases them, displeases me.
Whoever makes peace with them, will make peace with me.
Whoever has enmity against them, will have enmity against me.
Whoever is a friend to them, is a friend of mine. It is because they belong to me, and I belong to them.
O Allah! Bestow Your peace, Benevolence, Mercy, forgiveness, and Your Pleasures on me, and on them. And, keep them aloof from uncleanliness, and keep them pure, and thoroughly purified.'
Allah heard this beautiful prayer and said to the angels:
"O My angels! O Residents of My Heavens, verily, I have not created the erected Sky, the stretched earth, the illuminated moon, the bright sun, the rotating planets, the flowing seas and the sailing ships, but for the love of these Five lying underneath the cloak"
Angel Gabriel was so amazed by this that he asked Allah if he can go down to the earth and join the prophet and his family under the cloak. Allah (swt) replied yes. Angel Gabriel then asked the Prophet if he can join and after he was given permission also entered.
Then Angel Gabriel revealed to Prophet Mohammad the following verse:
بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
"Allah has revealed to you saying, ‘Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O people of the House, and to purify you a thorough purifying"
The Prophet and his family were overjoyed to hear this, and Imam Ali asked Prophet Mohammad
"O Allah’s Messenger! Please tell me; what is the value of this gathering of us under this cloak in the sight of Allah?"
The Prophet, peace be upon him and his Household, said, "I swear this by Him Who has sent me with the truth as Prophet and chosen me, as holding communion, to convey the Message; whenever the tale of this gathering of us is mentioned in an assembly of the people of the earth in which a group of our adherents and lover are present, the (divine) mercy shall certainly be poured down on them and the angels shall certainly surround them, asking forgiveness for them until they depart."
Ali, peace be upon him, commented, "Then, by Allah I swear it; we have won. So have our followers. I swear it by the Lord of the Ka`bah."