Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Are the decendants of Prophet Mohammed still alive ? If yes, where are they and do they occupy an important place in present day Islamic society ?  

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Answer:

Descendants of Prophet Mohamed (saws)

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

It is a historical fact that the only descendants of the Noble Prophet (saws) who survived were from the loins of his beloved daughter Hadrat Fatimah binte Mohamed (r.a.). There are several thousand people who claim descendancy of the Prophet Mohamed (saws) and Allah Subhanah Alone Knows how many of his descendants are alive today and where exactly do they reside.

Amongst the most famous or notable people who claim descendancy from the Prophet Mohamed (saws) are the current rulers of the Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan King Abdullah bin Hussain and his immediate family, and the current Aga Khan and his immediate family.

Your Question: do they occupy an important place in present day Islamic society ? 

Dear and beloved brother in Islam, what is of paramount importance in the Sight of Allah Subhanah is not where and to whom one is born, but whether the person believes, is pious, and does righteous good deeds.

Allah says in the Holy Quran: Chapter 49 Surah Hujurat verse 13:

O mankind, We created you from one man and one woman, and then divided you into nations and tribes so that you may recognize one another. Indeed, the most honorable among you in the Sight of Allah is he who is the most pious of you. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

The Lord makes it abundantly clear in the above Verse of His Glorious Quran that all human beings were created from one set of common parents and were divided into nations and tribes only so that one may recognize the other. One’s lineage has absolutely no bearing of importance in Islam, but what is of paramount importance in the Sight of Allah Subhanah is the belief, level of piety, and the deeds one chooses to do in their life on this earth.

The likes of the ardent enemy of Islam and the Prophet Mohamed (saws) Abu Jahl and Abu Lahab were both direct descendants of Prophet Ibraheem (a.s.), but because they chose to disbelieve and strive against the mission of Islam they were cursed by the Lord All-Mighty in this world and the next, and their being direct descendants of the Noble Prophet Ibraheem (a.s.) will hold absolutely no benefit for them in the Sight and Court of Allah Subhanah. Conversely, the likes of the noble companions of the Prophet (saws) like Hadrat Salman al-Farsi (r.a.) or Hadrat Bilaal (r.a.) were not direct descendants of Prophet Ibraheem (a.s.), but because of their belief, piety, and their striving for the Cause of Allah Subhanah they are honored by the believers in this world and will be Honored by Allah Subhanah in the Hereafter.

Thus regardless of whether one claims direct descendacy of the Noble Prophet Mohamed (saws) or not, if one is a believer and does righteous good deeds, he will be honored by Allah Subhanah….and if one amongst them disbelieves, he will deserve the Wrath and Anger of the Lord Most High in the Hereafter.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan