Who Are the Ahl al-Bayt Today?

Question

What is the opinion of the Shafi‘i School about the descendants of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace)? If an individual has a genealogy confirmed by a naqib but via a woman (mother or mother of the father), does that make the person a Sharif or Sayyid? Are they part of Ahl al-Bayt?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.

The Ahl al-Bayt (the members of the Prophet’s household) is the tribe of ‘Abd al-Muttalib (the descendants of ‘Ali, the descendants of ‘Abbas, the descendants of Ja‘far, the descendants of ‘Aqil, the descendants of al-Harith and the sons of ‘Abd al-Muttalib), and their freed slaves. [Mawsu‘a Fiqhiyya]

The ascription of lineage to the family of the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) is established paternally. Despite this, the scholars mention that there is nobility and honor, though not lineage or the rank of being “sayyids,” even for those with maternal links to the family of the Chosen One (Allah bless him & give him peace). This is an honor, but true honor lies in fulfilling the primary purpose of our creation: worshipping Allah as faithful servants out of deep faith and true love. Allah knows best.

Related:
Is Being A Sayyid Such A Big Deal? Even If One Is Not Religious?
Are the Ahl al-Bayt Eligible Recipients of Zakat?

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.