Allah (SWT) chose the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to be the noblest, most superior and final prophet in all of mankind. From all of the prophets, Allah (SWT) chose him to be the last, but Allah (SWT) selected him even before Ādam (AS) was created. In one hadith, the Prophet (SAW) says: “I was designated as a prophet while the mould and clay of Ādam (AS) was still being formed.” Then, Allah (SWT) produced him from a lineage and bloodline of the most noble people. Now, Imām Bukhārī and others have written great details about the lineage of the Prophet (SAW) up to 21 links and forefathers. Beyond that, there is some difference of opinion. The agreed portion of his lineage is: Muhammad (SAW) bin ʿAbd Allāh, bin ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib, bin Hāshim, bin ʿAbd Manāf, bin Quṣayy, bin Kilāb, bin Murrah, bin Kaʿb, bin Luʾayy, bin Ghālib, bin Fihr, bin Mālik, bin al-Naḍr, bin Kinānah, bin Khuzaymah, bin Mudrikah, bin Ilyās, bin Muḍar, bin Nizār, bin Maʿadd, bin ʿAdnān. Up until this part, scholars agree in unison, and then go their different ways in tracing the line back to Ādam (AS). Now, ʿAdnān is where this agreed chain ends. He is from one of the close descendants of Ismāʿīl (AS) — the Prophet (SAW) is a direct descendant of Ismāʿīl (AS). ʿAdnān was a Muslim on the dīn of Ibrāhīm (AS). In fact, his successors, for several generations, were all Muslim and all stayed on the dīn of Ibrāhīm (AS). After that, some changes came, and shirk and kufr started spreading and permeated into the Quraysh. One of these sons, Maʿadd, who was the direct son of ʿAdnān, was around at the same time that Bayt Al-Maqdis was destroyed. At that time, the prophet Armiyaa (referred to in English as Jeremiah) was instructed by Allah (SWT) to go and save Maʿadd and to acknowledge that he was going to be the forefather of a prophet of Allah (SWT). He travelled and told Nebuchadnezzar about the dreams that he was having, and that the man Maʿadd was the forefather of the prophet who would form that Ummah. Allah (SWT) told Armiyaa (AS) to take Maʿadd and to put him somewhere that no harm would be able to come to him. It is said about each of these people that there was always a special kind of radiance in their foreheads that made them stand out from everyone else. Not only were they the most handsome people in that area at that time from that progeny, but there was a distinct light that was shown in their foreheads. Narrations say that this was the light of the Prophet (SAW) showing through his forefathers. So, his son, Nizār, also had this radiance, and they had a huge feast and called people from far and wide. When they saw the child, they were amazed. They said, “What a beautiful child!” Maʿadd said, “All of this money that we have spent on this feast is nothing compared to what should be done for this child.” So, his name, Nizār, from “nothing”, was set. Then, his son Muḍar was the patriarch of a massive clan. All of these people mentioned, including Ilyās, who was named after the prophet Ilyās (AS), had a specific role in the way things were done. For example, in bringing the sacrificial animals in the area of Minā and making sure the ʿibādah was done in a certain pattern. All of these changes continued until you reach Fihr. Fihr was Quraysh. Some say that Fihr was his name and Quraysh was his title, while others say the opposite. In any case, he—or one of his close forefathers—started the process of sending the annual caravans: in the wintertime south to Yemen and in the summertime north to Syria. This is referenced in the Qur’an: “For the accustomed security of the Quraysh – their accustomed security [in] the caravan of winter and summer – let them worship the Lord of this House.” — Surah Quraysh (106:1–3) This tradition continued until the time of Muṭṭalib. ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib’s real name was Shaybah al-Ḥamd, and ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib was actually his uncle. When his father passed away, this uncle came on camelback to pick him up and take him under his care. At that time, ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib’s clothes were dirty and he looked like an orphan. The people asked, “Who is this?” His uncle replied, “He is my slave.” This is how he became known as ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib, or “the slave of Muṭṭalib.” There is a very interesting story and lineage behind each and every one of these individuals. But the beautiful thing is that history has preserved even the lives of the forefathers of the Prophet (SAW), which is not available for anyone else. Inshā’Allah, as we discuss more and more details, we will learn more.
