Almost a 'Quran Aloner' but just one question left!

[HR]

Salams,

I'm almost there! I've only recently come across Quran Alone, and I'm stunned (pleasantly!). Can't believe how brainwashed I've been! I'm almost done undoing it all, but I have one question for you guys..

I've studied the verses that the Traditionalists put forward in defense of Tradition-following and I've read Quran Alone refutation of those verses made perfect sense to me... only one verse continues to confuse/bug me. Unfortunately, I can't remember the verse, but the gist of it was

Fas'alu ahl al-dhikr in kuntum la ta'lamun (So ask the People of the Reminder if you do not know).

I have been a Shia Muslim my whole life and the traditional interpretation of this verse (obviously supported by a hadith wink ) is that the Ahl Al-Dhikr are the Ahlul Bait (Prophet's Family) and so we should ask them when we do not know.

What's confusing me is what is meant by this verse? Who are these people? And why are we being asked to go to them if we don't know? Is it the Prophet? Would he (alone) be refered to as 'Ahl'?

This is essentially my last hurdle.. so I hope someone out there can come up with a reasonable, precise explanation. (Please don't just brush it aside be detailed).

Thanks,

wassalam,

HR