Āl is interpreted in three ways:
1. Āl is used in the sense of 'people' or 'community', as in the following verses:
Indeed, warners came to the people of Pharaoh {that is, to Pharaoh and his people, the Copts}. (al-Qamar 54:41)
"Admit the people of Pharaoh {that is, Pharaoh and his nation, his people who followed his religion, the Copts} to the severest punishment!" (al-Mu'min 40:46)
A believing man from the people of Pharaoh {that is, from Pharaoh's people} said: ... (al-Mu'min 40:28)
2. Āl is used in the sense of 'family' (ahl al-bayt), as in the following verses:
Except the family of Lot {that is, Lot and his two daughters}. We saved them at dawn. (al-Qamar 54:34)
When the messengers came to the family of Lot {that is, to the people of Lot}... (al-Hijr 15:61)
Indeed, we have been sent to a criminal people. Except the family of Lot {that is, Lot and his family}, We will surely save all of them. (al-Hijr 15:58-59)
Then, making an exception from his family, it is said:
Except his wife {that is, we will not save her}; We decreed that she is to be among those who remain behind. (al-Hijr 15:60)
3. Āl is used in the sense of 'descendants', no matter how far removed, as in the following verses:
Indeed, Allah chose Adam, Noah, the family of Abraham {that is, Ismāʿīl, Isḥāq, Yaʿqūb, and the tribes}, and the family of ʿImrān {that is, Mūsā and Hārūn for prophethood} over the worlds {that is, over the people of their time / over mankind}; descendants, some of them from others. (Āl ʿImrān 3:33-34)