Assalam Alaikum Sir My question is regarding the family of Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) what’s the special status of the family of our beloved prophet (pbuh) Is it true that they should avoid marriage with other Muslims not of same descent or Kufaa? Are there any special rituals for non-descendants of Prophet towards His (pbuh) descendants? If yes, is it racist? Thanks
All praise be to Allah and may His blessings and peace be on His last messenger, Muhammad,
The family of the Prophet r are his wives and children, and Banu Hashim and Banu al-Muttalib, and their freed slaves. They should be all honored, for that is a manifestation of our deep appreciation for him and his sacrifices.
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah said,
“أهل بيت رسول الله تجب محبتهم وموالاتهم ورعاية حقهم.”
“As for the family of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him), it is mandatory to love them, show allegiance to them and preserve their rights.” Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (28/491).
This is not prescribed for their interest only, but it is, also, healthy for the religious commitment of the ummah to do that, so that it will stay vivid in our minds and hearts how deeply indebted we are to the Messenger of Allah r. It is only natural to love someone because you loved their parents, and the same should apply here. Our love for the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) is immense, and thus, we love his family, or more precisely, the righteous amongst them who upheld his legacy. This doesn’t mean raising them above their ranking, giving them more than deserved, or usurping people’s rights to favor them, nor does it mean they, as individuals, have any immunity to error or that their errors will not harm them in this life or the hereafter.
There is bountiful evidence on the virtues of Ahl al-Bayt in the Quran, Sunnah, as well as the practice of the companions, particularly, Abu Bakr and Omar, (may Allah be pleased with them all.)
Allah said,
( إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنكُمُ الرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ البَيْتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيرًا )
“Allah wishes only to remove Ar Rijs (evil deeds and sins) from you, O members of the family (of the Prophet), and to purify you with a thorough purification”
Muslim reported from Zaid ibn Arqam that the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) said,
(… أُذَكِّرُكُمْ اللَّهَ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِي، أُذَكِّرُكُمْ اللَّهَ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِي، أُذَكِّرُكُمْ اللَّهَ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِي ).
(…I remind you of Allah with regard to the people of my household, I remind you of Allah with regard to the people of my household, I remind you of Allah with regard to the people of my household.”
Having said that, they are equal to others in the sight of God, and it is their deeds that will count for them. Regarding this, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: When it was revealed “And warn your tribe of near kindred” [ash-Shu’ara’ 26:214], the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said:
“يَا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ اشْتَرُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ، لاَ أُغْنِى عَنْكُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا، يَا بَنِي عَبْدِ مَنَافٍ لاَ أُغْنِى عَنْكُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا، يَا عَبَّاسُ بْنَ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ لاَ أُغْنِى عَنْكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا، وَيَا صَفِيَّةُ عَمَّةَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ لاَ أُغْنِى عَنْكِ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا، وَيَا فَاطِمَةُ بِنْتَ مُحَمَّدٍ سَلِينِي مَا شِئْتِ مِنْ مالِي لاَ أُغْنِى عَنْكِ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئً.”
“O people of Quraysh Ransom yourselves, I cannot avail you anything before Allah. O Banu ‘Abd Manaaf, I cannot avail you anything before Allah. O ‘Abbaas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib, I cannot avail you anything before Allah. O Safiyah, (paternal) aunt of the Messenger of Allah, I cannot avail you anything before Allah. O Fatimah, daughter of the Messenger of Allah, ask me for whatever you want of my wealth, I cannot avail you anything before Allah.” [Agreed upon]
They are equal to all Muslims in front of the law, and regarding this, the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) said,
“… وايم الله لو أن فاطمة بنت محمد سرق لقطعت يدها.”
“By Allah, if Fatimah the daughter of Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand.” [Agreed upon]
Moreover, those of the family of the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) who didn’t become Muslims are not allowed into the heaven just because they are his family. In fact, every Muslim knows about his uncle Abu Lahab, and how a chapter of the Quran was revealed regarding him and the punishment awaiting him.
Also, Imam Muslim reported from Abi Hurairah that the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) said, “I asked Allah for permission to seek forgiveness for my mother, and He did not permit me, and I asked him for permission to visit her grave, and He permitted me.” Imam al-Nawawi said, while commenting on this hadeeth, “…it indicates the impermissibility of seeking forgiveness for the unbelievers.”
It was also reported by Muslim from Anas that the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) was asked by a man about the destiny of his father, and the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) indicated that he was in the Fire, and when the man started to walk away, he called him back, and said, “Both my father and your father are in fire.”
The clear benefit from the ahadeeth here above is the enunciation of the Islamic principle that it is about one’s deeds and devotion to Allah, not ancestry or tribal or family belonging.
The facts that someone is of the descendants of the Prophet (pbuh) is a cause for affection to be had for them, as long as they honor his legacy, but no special rituals you need to perform, you will just treat them like you treat your beloved Muslim brothers and sisters.
Allah knows best.