1- Venerating Highly the Household of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in the best way befits them. This implies honoring and being loyal and ally to the righteous among them and recognizing well their values. This is a legitimate requirement, not to mention being something that draws one nearer to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, as Allah, The Almighty, Says (what means): {It is that of which Allah gives good tidings to His servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say, [O Muhammad], "I do not ask you for this message any payment [but] only good will through kinship…} [Quran 42: 23] 

Imam Muslim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, also reported in his Saheeh that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:  “O people, I am a human being; soon the messenger of my Lord [i.e., the Angel of death] will come to me and I will answer his call. I am leaving among you two important things: the first of which is the Book of Allaah, in which there is guidance and light, so adhere to it and follow it’ – and he urged us to adhere to the Book of Allaah, then he said: ‘My household (Ahl Bayti); I remind you to fear Allah with regards to my household; I remind you to fear Allah with regards to my household; I remind you to fear Allah with regards to my household.”

Imam Al-Bukhaari, may Allaah have mercy upon him, also reported from Ibn ‘Umar that Abu Bakr, may Allaah be pleased with them, used to say, "Please Muhammad (i.e. the Prophet), peace and blessings be upon him, by doing good to his family."

Also, the following should be observed:

•   They still have the honor of having lineage to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and being distinguished from all other people due to this.

•   They are like all other people i.e. among them are the righteous, and among them are others not so. Also, they are included in the statement of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "And whoever is hindered because of his bad deeds, his lineage will be of no avail to him."

•   Supplicating Allah, The Almighty, for them when sending peace and blessing on the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, by saying: and upon his household.

•   Being ally to the righteous among them, sitting with them, seeking knowledge from them, being dutiful for them, condoling them for they from the traces of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, trying to come closer to them, having relationship by marriage with them.

•   Supporting, giving, defending them, and mentioning their virtues and good deeds. They are prohibited to accept charity.

•   Confirmation of admonishing those who are not righteous among them, feeling pity and showing mercy to them, calling them to the way of the pious and pure household of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and their adherence to his religion, their peaceful hearts and tongues on the companions and those after them.

The companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, held the greatest veneration and love for the household of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. That is because they understood well their position from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and acting upon his instructions. Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allaah be pleased with him, the Leader of the Believers, ordered Al-‘Abbaas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib, may Allaah be pleased with him, in the year of the famine and drought to pray for rain along with the people and were given rain. ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, also used to say:  “O Allaah, we used to ask You for rain by virtue of our Prophet and You gave us rain. Now we ask You for rain by virtue of the paternal uncle of our Prophet, so give us rain” and they would be given rain." 

Ibn Hajar, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “And we benefit, from the story of Al-‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, the recommendation of seeking intercession by the pious and the family of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.  Also, this refers to the virtues of Al-‘Abbaas and ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with them, because of his humbleness to Al-‘Abbaas and recognizing well his right.

When ‘Abdullaah ibn Al-Hasan ibn Al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib, may Allaah be pleased with them, entered upon ‘Umar for a need, the latter said to him: 'If you have need, then send for me or write to me. I am ashamed before 'Allah to see you at my door.'"(Even though he was the caliph, he was ashamed to have someone form the Prophet's family asking for something in public.). 

Ash-Shab‘i, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said. "Zayd ibn Thaabit prayed in his mother's funeral prayer and then brought his mule near so he could mount it. Ibn ‘Abbaas came and took hold of the stirrup. Zayd said, 'Let go, nephew of the Messenger of Allah!' He said, 'This is the way we act with men of knowledge.' Then Zayd kissed the hand of Ibn ‘Abbaas. He said, 'This is the way I was commanded to act with the people of the House of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him."(His mother was Al-Nuwwaar bint Maalik.)

Here is another story reported from Ahmad ibn Hanbal, may Allaah have mercy upon him, when he was stricken in his trial and chained. After he established proof against Ahmad ibn Abi Duad before Al-Waathiq. Al-Waathiq said: "Cut off the chain of the sheikh. When it was cut off, he stretched his hand to the chain to take. Ironsmith took it first. Then Al-Waathiq said to him: "Why did you take it?" He replied: "I intend to make will regarding it to be put in my shroud so that I argue with such oppressor tomorrow (i.e. in the Hereafter) and then burst in tears." Al-Waathiq also burst in tears and so do all of us. Al-Waathiq asked him (Imam Ahmad) to forgive him. He said: "I had already done so from the first day, honoring the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, because you are one of his household."

Moreover, Du‘bul Al-Khuzaa‘i praised the household of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, saying:

The schools for the Quranic verses are void of reciting now and the landing site of revelations is left like a barren desert.

In Al-Hijaaz and (among) its people were courageous ones from among them chosen as leaders.

If they prided themselves (upon their lineage), they brought Mohammed, Gabriel, the Furqan (Quran), and the Suras.

Stop your blaming me for (my showing love for) the Household of the Prophet; they are my lovers and I have confidence in them as long as they live.

I love those far because of their love for you, and for you I abandon my family and my daughters.

I have chosen them as a guide to my own affairs, for they are, any how, the most excellent choice.

Therefore, O my Lord, increase me in the insight of my sureness and add, O my Lord, my love for them to my good deeds

Another poet said:

The children of Sa‘d blame me for them while I did not say except what the tribe of Sa‘d had known.

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