It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdul Muttalib bin Rabee’ah (may Allah be pleased with him) that some Ansari people came to the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: We hear things from your people; they even say about you that the example of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is like that of a honeybee, which is produced from the rubbish gathered by a broom. Husain, the narrator, said: “Kibā’” refers to the rubbish gathered by a broom. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: O people! Who am I? They said: You are the Messenger of Allah. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: I am Muhammad, son of Abdullah, son of Abdul Muttalib. Before this, we had not heard the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) mention his lineage. Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Beware! Allah Almighty created His creation (jinn and mankind) and made me among the best of creation (i.e., among humans). Then He divided humanity into two parts and placed me in the best part. Then He divided that into tribes and placed me in the best tribe. Then He divided that into households and made me of the best household. Thus, I am the best among you in terms of household and the best in terms of self.
Hadith Referenceالفتح الربانی / كتاب سيرة أول النبيين وخاتم المرسلين نبينا محمد بن عبد الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم / 10455
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:صحیح
Hadith Takhrij«حسن لغيره، أخرجه الطبراني في الكبير : 20/ 657، وابن ابي شيبة: 11/ 430 ، (انظر مسند أحمد ترقيم الرسالة: 17517 ترقیم بيت الأفكار الدولية: 17658»
Brief Explanation
Benefits: … When people, criticizing the lineage of the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, said that the example of Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is like that of a honeybee … . In response, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, in a manner of pride, stated his lineage, that among the children of Adam, the most honored and exalted lineage has been granted to him sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.
In those ahadith in which the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam forbade boasting due to forefathers and ancestors, what is meant is that manner which is without necessity and whose result is arrogance and the belittling of another Muslim.