The Lineage of the Prophet صل الله عليه و على آله و سلم
Dr 'Ali Muhamamad Sallaabee writes, "Just as he is the most complete person in terms of character, the Prophet صل الله عليه و على آله و سلم is superior to all other human beings in terms of his noble lineage. The Prophet صل الله عليه و على آله و سلم said, "Verily, Allaah chose Ismaa'eel from the children of Ibraaheem; Kinaanah from the children of Ismaa'eel; Quraish from Kinaanah, the children of Haashim from Quraish; and me from the children of Haashim." [1]
Imaam al-Bukhaari رحمه الله mentioned the lineage of the Prophet صل الله عليه و على آله و سلم: "He is Abul-Qaasim Muhammad صل الله عليه و على آله و سلم Ibn 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abdul Muttalib Ibn Haashim Ibn 'Abd Manaaf Ibn Qusai Ibn Kilaab Ibn Murrah Ibn Ka'ab Ibn Luaiy Ibn Ghaalib Ibn Faihr Ibn Maalik Ibn an-Nadar Ibn Kinaanah Ibn Khuzaimah Ibn Mudrikah Ibn Ilyaas Ibn Mudar Ibn Nizaar Ibn Ma'ad Ibn 'Adnaan." [2]
In Sharhus Sunnah, Al-Baghawi رحمه الله mentioned the lineage of the Prophet صل الله عليه و على آله و سلم up until 'Adnaan, and then said, "Beyond 'Adnaan, his lineage is not correctly memorised." [3]
'Urwah Ibn az-Zubayr رحمه الله said, "The people we have found who say that they know who is beyond 'Adnaan, are only guessing." [4]
Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله mentioned the lineage of the Prophet صل الله عليه و على آله و سلم until 'Adnaan and then said, "(The Prophet's صل الله عليه و على آله و سلم) lineage until here is known to be correct and is agreed upon by genealogists, so there is no disagreement whatsoever. As for what is beyond 'Adnaan, there is difference of opinion. Yet they (genealogists) unanimously agree that 'Adnaan is from the direct line of Ismaa'eel." [5]
And Ibn Sa'd رحمه الله wrote in his Tabaqaat: "We refrain (from claiming any knowledge about the lineage of the Prophet صل الله عليه و على آله و سلم) between 'Adnaan and Ismaa'eel."
Adh-Dhahabi رحمه الله said, "'Adnaan is from the children (i.e., from the direct line) of Ismaa'eel Ibn Ibraaheem, and this is unanimously agreed upon by the people (i.e., by historians and genealogists), but they differ about those grandfathers (of the Prophet) that are between 'Adnaan and Ismaa'eel." [6] [7]
Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri writes, "With respect to the lineage of the Prophet Muhammad صل الله عليه و على آله و سلم, there are three versions: The first was authenticated by biographies and genealogists and states that Muhammad's genealogy has been traced to 'Adnaan. The second is subject to controversies and doubt, and traces his lineage beyond 'Adnaan back to Ibraaheem. The third version, with some parts definitely incorrect, traces his lineage beyond 'Adnaan back to Adam.
The first part: Muhammad صل الله عليه و على آله و سلم Ibn 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abdul Muttalib Ibn Haashim Ibn 'Abd Manaaf Ibn Qusai Ibn Kilaab Ibn Murrah Ibn Ka'ab Ibn Luaiy Ibn Ghaalib Ibn Faihr Ibn Maalik Ibn an-Nadar Ibn Kinaanah Ibn Khuzaimah Ibn Mudrikah Ibn Ilyaas Ibn Mudar Ibn Nizaar Ibn Ma'ad Ibn 'Adnaan. [7]
The second part: 'Adnaan Ibn Add Ibn Humaisi' Ibn Salaman Ibn Aws Ibn Buz Ibn Qamwal Ibn Obai Ibn 'Awwam Ibn Nashid Ibn Haza Ibn Bildas Ibn Yadlaf Ibn Tabikh Ibn Jahim Ibn Nahish Ibn Makhi Ibn Aid Ibn 'Abqar Ibn 'Ubaid Ibn ad-Da'a Ibn Hamdan Ibn Sanbir Ibn Yathrabi Ibn Yahzin Ibn Yalhan Ibn Ar'awi Ibn Aid Ibn Deshan Ibn Aisar Ibn Afnad Ibn Aiham Ibn Muksar Ibn Nahith Ibn Zarih Ibn Sami Ibn Mazzi Ibn 'Awda Ibn Aram Ibn Qaidar Ibn Ismaa'eel Ibn Ibraaheem. [8]
The third part: Beyond Ibraahem, Ibn Tarih (Azar) Ibn Nahur Ibn Saru' Ibn Ra'u Ibn Falikh Ibn Abir Ibn Shalikh Ibn Arfakhshad Ibn Sam Ibn Nooh Ibn Lamik Ibn Mutwashlack Ibn Akhnuk (who was said to be Prophet Idrees [Enoch]) Ibn Yarid Ibn Mahla'il Ibn Qainan Ibn Anusha Ibn Sheeth Ibn Adam." [9] [10]
Dr 'Ali Muhamamad Sallaabee continues, "Men with noble lineages have throughout history been accorded with special honour. Generally speaking, a person with noble lineage is not denied the right to lead and to have authority, but people question the right of a person of low lineage to be a leader - a king, a president, an emperor, etc. Since the Prophet صل الله عليه و على آله و سلم was being prepared for Prophethood, Allaah سبحانه و تعالى blessed him with a noble lineage, thus making it easier for people to accept and follow him.
The Prophet صل الله عليه و على آله و سلم indeed possesses a most wonderful lineage. He is from the direct line of both Ismaa'eel عليه الصلاة و السلام and Ibraaheem عليه الصلاة و السلام. Furthermore, he is the answer to the supplication of Ibraaheem; he said about himself, "I am the supplication of my father Ibraaheem (i.e., the answer to his supplication), and the glad tidings of my brother 'Eesa (Jesus)." [11]
It is most often the case that people who are blessed with noble lineages aspire for higher goals and aims, and turn away from base desires; and of course, this was especially true of the Prophets and Messengers (peace be upon them all)." [12]
Notes:
[1] Saheeh Muslim
[2] Saheeh al-Bukhari
[3] Sharhus Sunnah, 13/193
[4] Ibn Sa'd, 1/58
[5] Zaad al-Ma'ad, 1/71
[6] As-Seerah an-Nabawiyya
[7] The Noble Life of the Prophet صل الله عليه و على آله و سلم, vol. 1, pp. 77-78
[8] Ibn Hisham, 1/1-2; Talqeeh Fuhoom Ahlul-Athar, pp. 5-6; Rahmatul lil-'Alameen, 2/11-14, 52
[9] Rahmatul lil-'Alameen, 2/14-17
[10] Ibn Hisham, 1/2-4; Rahmatul lil-'Alameen, 2/18; Khulusat as-Siyar, p. 6
[11] ar-Raheequl Makhtoom (The Sealed Nectar), p. 49
[12] al-Hakim, 2/600
[13] The Noble Life of the Prophet صل الله عليه و على آله و سلم, vol. 1, p. 79