The lineage of the Prophet PBUH is one of the purest lineages to ever exist. It has many significant figures of Islamic history. This lineage is clearly documented in books, and scholars have spent a lot of time researching to make this knowledge accessible to the people. Keeping this at the forefront, this blog will explore the lineage of the Prophet PBUH, if it connects to Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim), and other figures included in it.
Prophet Muhammad PBUH and Ibrahim (Abraham) AS
Wathila b. al-Asqa’ reported that he heard the Prophet PBUH said, Indeed, Allah chose Kinānah from among the descendants of Isma’il (AS), and from Kinānah He chose the Quraysh, and from the Quraysh He chose Banu Hashim. And from Banu Hashim, He chose me.
The Prophet Muhammad PBUH is the most noble of the children of Adam AS in lineage and descent, on both his paternal and maternal sides. His lineage as far as Adnan is agreed upon. As for his lineage between Adnan and Ismail Ibn Ibrahim AS, the scholars differ in their opinions regarding it.
The Difference Of Opinion
The opinion of Adh-Dhahabi (RH) is:
“His name is Muhammad ibn `Abdullah ibn `Abd Al-Muttalib (and the given name of `Abd Al-Muttalib was Shaybah) ibn Hashim (whose given name was `Amr) ibn `Abd Manaf (whose given name was Al-Mughirah) ibn Qusay (whose given name was Zayd) ibn Kilab ibn Murrah ibn Ka`b ibn Lu’ayy ibn Ghalib ibn Fihr ibn Malik ibn An-Nadr ibn Kinanah ibn Khuzaymah ibn Mudrikah (whose given name was `Amir) ibn Ilyas ibn Mudar ibn Nizar ibn Ma`add ibn `Adnan, and `Adnan was one of the descendants of Isma`il ibn Ibrahim (blessings and peace of Allah be upon them both and upon our Prophet), according to the consensus of the scholars.
But there was a difference regarding the ancestry between Adnan and Ismail AS. One opinion held that there were nine ancestors between them, while the other held that there were seven. There was also a difference in the names of some of these ancestors. Some opinions also stated that there were fifteen or even forty ancestors between them, but this is far-fetched. This was what some of the Arabs narrated.
`Urwah ibn Az-Zubayr (RA), the first Muslim historian, stated:
“We haven’t found anyone who knew of the lineage beyond Adnan and Qahtan, except that it was on the basis of speculation.”
Abu `Umar ibn `Abd Al-Barr, an Islamic scholar, said:
The view of the leading scholars on this matter is that his name is `Adnan ibn Udad ibn Muqawwim ibn Nahur ibn Tayrah ibn Ya`rub ibn Yashjub ibn Nabit ibn Isma`il ibn Ibrahim Al-Khalil ibn Azar (whose name was Tarih) ibn Nahur ibn Saruh ibn Ra`u ibn Falakh ibn `Aybar ibn Shalakh ibn Arfakhshadh ibn Sam ibn Nuh (peace be upon him) ibn Lamik ibn Mattushalakh ibn Khanukh ibn Yard ibn Mahlil ibn Qaynan ibn Yanish ibn Shith ibn Adam, the father of humanity, peace be upon him.
Ibn Sa’d RH stated that, in our view, it is better to not discuss the genealogy beyond ‘Adnan to Isma’il.
Connection To Ibrahim AS
Although there is a difference of opinion among the scholars, if they were unanimous that the Prophet PBUH’s ancestral lineage is connected to Prophet Ibrahim AS, sources state that it will look like this:
Ibrahim AS
Prophet Ibrahim AS is referred to as the father of the prophets according to many, including his sons Ismail and Ishaq (AS).
The Lineage Through The Son
Ibrahim AS was commanded by Allah SWT to leave his wife, Bibi Hajra, and his son, Ismail AS, in the desert. As a result, the descendants of Ismail AS are believed to have settled in the Arabian Peninsula, where Prophet Muhammad PBUH emerged as the last prophet in the lineage.