Introduction
February 18, 2019The Second Narration: I shall be leader amongst the descendants of Adam on the Day of Resurrection, I will be the first whose grave will open, I will be the first intercessor, and the first whose intercession will be accepted (by Allah).
February 18, 2019BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents
The First Narration
Wathilah ibn al Asqa’ radiya Llahu ‘anhu reports that he heard Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam saying:
إن الله اصطفى كنانة من ولد إسماعيل ، واصطفى قريشا من كنانة ، واصطفى من قريش بني هاشم ، واصطفاني من بني هاشم
I heard Allah’s Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam saying: Verily Allah granted eminence to Kinanah from amongst the descendants of Isma’il, and he granted eminence to the Quraysh amongst Kinanah, and he granted eminence to Banu Hashim amongst the Quraysh, and he granted me eminence from the tribe of Banu Hashim.
This narration has been recorded thus in Sahih Muslim. Those that have attributed it to Sahih al Bukhari are mistaken.
Commentary and Lessons Learnt from this Narration:
- The eminence of the descendants of Isma’il ‘alayh al Salam over all other lineages. Many other narrations have explicitly cited this as well.
- Similarly, the eminence of the Kinanah.
- Similarly, the eminence of the Quraysh.
- Similarly, the eminence of the Banu Hashim.
- The eminence of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam over the entire creation.
- Eminence is attained through the grace of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala as and when he wishes. No other has the right nor ability to bestow such. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:
وَرَبُّكَ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ وَيَخْتَارُ مَا كَانَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَتَعَالَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُوْنَ
And your Lord creates what He wills and chooses; not for them was the choice. Exalted is Allah and high above what they associate with Him.[1]
- By granting eminence to Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallamAllah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has, by extension, granted the eminence to the Ahlul Bayt. Conviction of this forms part of one’s faith in Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala.
- The one chosen for such becomes the beloved as this eminence emanates from Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala; the true beloved.
- The belief of the Ahlus Sunnah is that the most blessed lineage is that of the Banu Hashim and thus demands greater reverence than all the other offshoots of the Quraysh. The Quraysh though enjoy privilege over all other clans.
- Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala foreshadowed this honour of the Quraysh by placing them amongst the revered of the Arab clans before the advent of Islam. Other clans would look up to the Quraysh citing their virtue and maintenance of the Ka’ After the advent of Islam, when Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam informed the Arabs of the eminence of the Quraysh, no one disputed this.
- The lineage of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam is honourable and noble.
- The nurturing of a noble family has a lasting effect on both body and soul.
- ‘Granted me eminence’ is an indication to the love Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala had for His Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. This is an honour unmatched.
- The eminence of the Arabs over all other nations.
[1] Surah al Qasas: 68.
BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents
The First Narration
Wathilah ibn al Asqa’ radiya Llahu ‘anhu reports that he heard Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam saying:
إن الله اصطفى كنانة من ولد إسماعيل ، واصطفى قريشا من كنانة ، واصطفى من قريش بني هاشم ، واصطفاني من بني هاشم
I heard Allah’s Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam saying: Verily Allah granted eminence to Kinanah from amongst the descendants of Isma’il, and he granted eminence to the Quraysh amongst Kinanah, and he granted eminence to Banu Hashim amongst the Quraysh, and he granted me eminence from the tribe of Banu Hashim.
This narration has been recorded thus in Sahih Muslim. Those that have attributed it to Sahih al Bukhari are mistaken.
Commentary and Lessons Learnt from this Narration:
- The eminence of the descendants of Isma’il ‘alayh al Salam over all other lineages. Many other narrations have explicitly cited this as well.
- Similarly, the eminence of the Kinanah.
- Similarly, the eminence of the Quraysh.
- Similarly, the eminence of the Banu Hashim.
- The eminence of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam over the entire creation.
- Eminence is attained through the grace of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala as and when he wishes. No other has the right nor ability to bestow such. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:
وَرَبُّكَ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ وَيَخْتَارُ مَا كَانَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَتَعَالَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُوْنَ
And your Lord creates what He wills and chooses; not for them was the choice. Exalted is Allah and high above what they associate with Him.[1]
- By granting eminence to Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallamAllah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has, by extension, granted the eminence to the Ahlul Bayt. Conviction of this forms part of one’s faith in Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala.
- The one chosen for such becomes the beloved as this eminence emanates from Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala; the true beloved.
- The belief of the Ahlus Sunnah is that the most blessed lineage is that of the Banu Hashim and thus demands greater reverence than all the other offshoots of the Quraysh. The Quraysh though enjoy privilege over all other clans.
- Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala foreshadowed this honour of the Quraysh by placing them amongst the revered of the Arab clans before the advent of Islam. Other clans would look up to the Quraysh citing their virtue and maintenance of the Ka’ After the advent of Islam, when Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam informed the Arabs of the eminence of the Quraysh, no one disputed this.
- The lineage of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam is honourable and noble.
- The nurturing of a noble family has a lasting effect on both body and soul.
- ‘Granted me eminence’ is an indication to the love Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala had for His Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. This is an honour unmatched.
- The eminence of the Arabs over all other nations.
[1] Surah al Qasas: 68.