The Reality of the Narration “Experts of Genealogy are Mistaken” and the Verdict of Hadith Scholars
Compiled by: Abu Abdul Aziz Muhammad Yusuf Madani
✦ Introduction
On the subject of genealogy (Ansab), many weak and fabricated narrations have become widespread. Among them is a narration attributed to the Prophet ﷺ that he, upon reaching Adnan in his lineage, stopped mentioning further ancestors and said: “The experts of genealogy are mistaken.”
The purpose of this article is to investigate the authenticity of this narration and to analyze it in light of the statements of the hadith scholars.
✦ Mention of the Narration
➊ Adnan comes in the 21st generation of the Prophet’s ﷺ lineage.
➋ Some narrations state that when the Prophet ﷺ mentioned his lineage, he would stop at Adnan and not go beyond.
➌ It is also claimed that he said: “Experts of genealogy are mistaken.”
➍ However, another group holds the view that the lineage can be traced beyond Adnan, and they list up to 40 generations.
References: Tareekh al-Umam wal-Muluk by al-Tabari (2/1991–194), Al-A‘lam (5/6), Ar-Raheeq al-Makhtoom (p. 29)✦ Research & Analysis
This narration is fabricated (Mawdu‘).Imam al-Albani رحمه الله declared it fabricated in his book As-Silsilah ad-Da‘eefah (1/228, no. 111).
✧ Al-Suyuti mentioned it in Al-Jami‘ as-Saghir through Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه.
✧ Ibn Sa‘d recorded it in At-Tabaqat (1/28) via Hisham bin Muhammad bin al-Sa’ib al-Kalbi.
✦ Status of the Narrators
• Hisham bin Muhammad al-Kalbi → Declared matrook (abandoned) by hadith scholars. Al-Daraqutni and others considered him unreliable.
• Muhammad bin al-Sa’ib al-Kalbi (father of Hisham) → Even more weak and a liar. He admitted himself to fabricating narrations.
– Imam al-Bukhari narrates authentically that Sufyan al-Thawri said: “Al-Kalbi said to me: Whatever I narrated to you from Abu Salih is all a lie.”
• Abu Salih → Did not meet Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه, nor did al-Kalbi properly hear from him.
Imam Ibn Hibban said:“The lies and fabrications of al-Kalbi are so widespread that even mentioning them in books is not permissible.”
✦ Conclusion
From this detailed analysis, it becomes clear that:
① The narration with the wording “Experts of genealogy are mistaken” is absolutely unacceptable in terms of chain of narration.
② All its chains consist of severely weak or fabricated narrators.
③ Hadith scholars such as Al-Albani, Ibn Hibban, and Al-Daraqutni declared it fabricated and false.
Therefore, attributing this narration to the Prophet ﷺ is impermissible, and no argument or ruling can be based upon it.
