Click here to download this article as a pdf
The blessed lineage of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) from Hazrat Adam (Alaihis Salaam) till his exalted parents was pure and free from any kind of Kufr, Shirk, evil and immorality. They were Muwahhids (Believers in the Oneness of Allah Ta’ala) and the best of mankind in each of their respective eras.
Hazrat Anas bin Malik (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) narrated that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “I am Muhammad, son of Abdullah, son of Abdul Muttalib, son of Haashim, son of Abdul Munaaf, son of Qusai, son of Kilaab, son of Marra, son of Ka’b, son of Lawi, son of Ghaalib, son of Fahar, son of Maalik, son of Nadar, son of Kinaanah, son of Khuzaimah, son of Mudrakah, son of Ilyas, son of Mudar, son of Nazaar, son of Ma’d, son of Adnaan (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anhum). [After relating 21 pious generations, he said] When people were divided into two groups Allah Ta’ala made me of the best of them. So I was born from my parents in a state that was pure of all evils of the years of ignorance and I was born from a pure and valid Nikah [marriage]. All my ancestors from Nabi Adam (Alaihis Salaam) till my parents were the purest and best of people on earth and my father was the best of fathers amongst you.” [Baihaqi]
Historians have derived this link as far as Adnaan and unanimously agree to it through authentic narrations. After this however, there is some discrepancy as Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) used to stop at Adnaan when mentioning his family tree. [Marginal notes of Bukhari Shareef ] Historians also agree that Adnaan was a descendant of Hazrat Ismail (Alaihis Salaam), the son of Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam).
Rasoolullah’s (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) lineage possessed a dignity unfound in any other family in the world – one even acknowledged by his strongest enemies. When Hazrat Abu Sufyaan (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) (having not accepted Islam at that time) was once brought to the court of Hiraqal, the King of Rome, and questioned regarding the lineage of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), he replied, “He is from a respected family.” [Bukhari Shareef ]
This was said by Hazrat Abu Sufyaan (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) while he was one of the most fierce enemies of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and waiting for an opportunity to tarnish the image of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) before the king. The ancestors of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) were therefore far from any defect that may be attributed to them. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) once said, “Certainly, Allah Ta’ala has chosen Kinaanah from the progeny of Ismail (Alaihis Salaam), the Quraish from Kinaanah, the Banu Haashim from the Quraish, and has chosen and elevated me from them. [Mishkaat Shareef ]
Amongst the distinguished personalities of Rasoolullah’s (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) lineage is Fahar bin Malik. He was given the title of Quraish. Thus, his descendants became known as Quraishi. Quraish is the name of an animal which dwells in the sea. It is very powerful, commanding great respect and consumes the fish of the sea. Never has it been vanquished or subdued. This title was bestowed upon Fahr bin Malik by the Arab tribes. Accordingly, Shamrakh bin Amr Humairi says, “Quraish is an animal that lives in the sea. The tribe of Quraish has been named after it.” [Zarqaani]
Because the paternal and maternal genealogies of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) converge at Fahr bin Malik, he (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is therefore Quraishi from both parents.
Allah Ta’ala states in the Holy Qur’an, “And a slave man who believes is better than an unbeliever.” [Surah 2,Verse 221] Hazrat Sayyiduna Maula Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) stated in a Sahih Hadith, “In every generation there is always present at least seven Muslims and if they are not present then all the dwellers of the earth would perish.” Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has stated, “I was sent from amongst the best of families in every generation until the generation I was born in.” From this it is established that in every generation the best people were amongst these seven Muslims. Therefore, it is incumbent that the lineage from which Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was born, had to be in every generation from amongst those seven pious and beloved servants of Allah Ta’ala. [Shumoolul Islami Li Usoolir Rasoolil Kiraam]
Allah Ta’ala states in the Holy Qur’an, “O Believers! The polytheists are totally impure.” [Surah 9, Verse 28] Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said regarding his lineage, “I was always transferred from the backs of pure males to the backs of pure females.” He further stated, “Allah Ta’ala always transferred me from pious backs to pure wombs until I was from my parents.” Therefore the lineage of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) had to be pure, pious and believers subscribing to the highest form of Imaan and Tauheed, because it is clear from the Holy Qur’an that disbelievers cannot be pure. [Shumoolul Islami Li Usoolir Rasoolil Kiraam]
The august parents of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) had passed away before his announcement of Prophethood and Islam, before which it was the period of Fatrah. This is a period between two Prophets where the former has passed away many years ago and either his “Kitaab” was tampered with or his message was not relayed far and wide. There is still time before the appearance of the latter Prophet and people who live in such a period who strongly believe in the ‘True Tauheed’ and abstain from all forms of corruption and sin are called ‘Muwahhid’ (sincere believers in the Oneness of Allah Ta’ala).
Hazrat Sayyidah Aisha Siddiqah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) narrates that they were present with Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) on the journey of Hajjatul Wida when they passed by Uqbat Al Hajun and Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) visited the blessed grave of his beloved mother Sayyidah Amina (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha). He stood very sad, crying at her graveside and looked very depressed. Tears rolled down his cheeks but when he departed from there he looked exceptionally happy, delighted and full of smiles. Sayyidah Aisha Siddiqah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anha) asked him the reason for both these extreme diverse moods. He replied, “When I visited the grave of my mother, I pleaded to Allah Ta’ala to resurrect her. Allah Ta’ala accepted my Dua and resurrected her. She read the Kalimah and brought Imaan on me. Thereafter, Allah Ta’ala returned her to her grave where she now peacefully sleeps.” [Khasaaisul Kubra]
After the completion of the Deen of mankind, Allah Ta’ala also resurrected the parents of His Habeeb (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and completed and perfected their Deen too. Hence, Allah Ta’ala states, “This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” [Surah 5, Verse 3]
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq to have utmost love, respect and honour for the parents and lineage of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Allahumma Ameen.
