By: Sheikh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafizahullah)
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) clarified this in his farewell sermon during Hajjat-ul-Wida‘, where he declared that:
"No Arab has superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have superiority over an Arab; neither does a white person have superiority over a black person, nor does a black person have superiority over a white person. All Muslims are equal in their honor and sanctity."
The Qur'an further emphasizes equality:
"O mankind, We have created you from a male and a female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Verily, Allah is Knowing and Aware."
[Surah Al-Hujurat: 49:13]
This verse highlights that all humans are children of the same parents and are inherently equal. The divisions of tribes and families are for the sake of identity and recognition, not for superiority or inferiority.
Allah also says:
"Indeed, the believers are but brothers."
[Surah Al-Hujurat: 49:10]
This confirms that all Muslims are brothers and sisters, forming a single community where distinctions based on lineage hold no weight.
The practice of restricting marriages within one’s caste or family lineage is rooted in ignorance and contradicts Islamic teachings. Such customs arise from a lack of understanding of the Qur'an and Sunnah.
May Allah (SWT) guide us to act according to His commands and grant us understanding of the true spirit of Islam. Ameen.
Question:
Is it necessary for the bride and groom to belong to the same lineage or caste for marriage? Can a Sayyid marry a non-Sayyid?Answer:
A Sayyid or Hashimite girl’s marriage to any Muslim man is absolutely permissible without hesitation. In Islam, preference or superiority is not based on lineage, family background, wealth, or caste. Instead, it is determined by taqwa (piety), fear of Allah, and other virtuous qualities.The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) clarified this in his farewell sermon during Hajjat-ul-Wida‘, where he declared that:
"No Arab has superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have superiority over an Arab; neither does a white person have superiority over a black person, nor does a black person have superiority over a white person. All Muslims are equal in their honor and sanctity."
The Qur'an further emphasizes equality:
"O mankind, We have created you from a male and a female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Verily, Allah is Knowing and Aware."
[Surah Al-Hujurat: 49:13]
This verse highlights that all humans are children of the same parents and are inherently equal. The divisions of tribes and families are for the sake of identity and recognition, not for superiority or inferiority.
Key Principle of Equality in Marriage
The Qur'an and Sunnah make it clear that no individual is superior to another due to family lineage or race. Superiority is based solely on taqwa and righteousness. Consequently, a Sayyid and a non-Sayyid are equal in Islam, as both belong to the children of Adam (عليه السلام).Allah also says:
"Indeed, the believers are but brothers."
[Surah Al-Hujurat: 49:10]
This confirms that all Muslims are brothers and sisters, forming a single community where distinctions based on lineage hold no weight.
Examples from Islamic History
Numerous examples from Islamic history demonstrate that lineage was never a barrier in marriage:- Marriage of Zainab bint Jahsh (رضي الله عنها):
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) married his cousin, Zainab bint Jahsh (رضي الله عنها), to Zaid ibn Harithah (رضي الله عنه), a freed slave, despite her being from the Quraysh nobility. - Marriage of Usama ibn Zaid (رضي الله عنه):
Usama ibn Zaid (رضي الله عنه), the son of a freed slave, married Fatimah bint Qais (رضي الله عنها), a woman of Quraysh lineage. - Marriage of Bilal ibn Rabah (رضي الله عنه):
Bilal (رضي الله عنه), a former slave of Ethiopian descent, married the sister of Abdur Rahman ibn Awf (رضي الله عنه), a prominent Quraysh nobleman. - Marriage of Hind bint Walid (رضي الله عنها):
Abu Hudhayfah ibn Utbah (رضي الله عنه) married his niece, Hind bint Walid, to Salim (رضي الله عنه), a freed slave. - Marriage of Umm Kulthum (رضي الله عنها):
Ali ibn Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه) married his daughter, Umm Kulthum, to Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه). - Marriage of Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum (رضي الله عنهما):
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) married his daughters, Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum (رضي الله عنهما), to Uthman ibn Affan (رضي الله عنه), despite him being from the Umayyad clan and not Hashimite. - Marriage of Ali ibn Husayn (Zayn al-Abidin):
Ali ibn Husayn (known as Zayn al-Abidin) married Shahr Bano, the daughter of Yazdegerd III, a Persian king.
Ruling on Compatibility in Marriage (Kufu‘)
The only condition for compatibility in marriage as outlined in the Qur'an and Sunnah is religious commitment and righteousness. Other factors, such as lineage, wealth, or caste, are secondary and hold no weight in determining the validity or suitability of a marriage.The practice of restricting marriages within one’s caste or family lineage is rooted in ignorance and contradicts Islamic teachings. Such customs arise from a lack of understanding of the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Conclusion
In Islam:- Sayyid and non-Sayyid marriages are permissible without hesitation.
- The primary consideration for marriage is piety and righteousness.
- Customs and traditions that limit marriages to specific castes or families are un-Islamic and baseless.
May Allah (SWT) guide us to act according to His commands and grant us understanding of the true spirit of Islam. Ameen.