Readings from

The Authentic Portion of al-Imaam as-Suyootee’s Short Encyclopedia of Hadeeth Extracts and the Supplement He Added to it

rearranged according to topic, along with brief explanatory notes

Notes:

{1} The context here indicates that they stated their lineages in order to show where true virtue and status lie when it comes to lineage.

{2} The first man did not state his lineage merely for the purpose of identifying himself. Rather, the context shows that he took pride in ascribing to his forefathers who, although they may have been prominent individuals among people, they rejected Allaah and His Messengers. Despite their rejection and wrongdoing, the man still felt that being a son and descendant of such forefathers gave him virtue, status, and nobility; and that ascription also made him arrogant towards others.

{3} The first man’s arrogance was further exhibited by him insulting the second man by telling him, “you were a mere abandoned child whose mother remains unknown”.

{4} Being a “Muslim” or a “son of Islaam” during any era throughout history basically means being someone who submits to Allaah according to the directives that Allaah Himself prescribed and which He did not abrogate. Complying with those directives by fulfilling Allaah’s commands and avoiding His prohibitions is what leads to pleasing Allaah, protecting oneself from Allaah’s punishment, and attaining the best final outcome. This is the lineage to which the second man ascribed, and he only mentioned the forefathers who shared that same lineage. He did not ascribe to forefathers who did not submit to Allaah and comply with Allaah’s directives, since he was aware that no true status or nobility come from such an ascription.
It should also be noted that the path of all the Prophets was Islaam, and the directives that Allaah revealed to each of His Prophets constituted Islaam for the respective time and people of each Prophet. That continued until Allaah’s final Prophet, Muhammad (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection), and the directives revealed to him abrogated all prior directives and scriptures; thus, there are no further directives or scriptures that Allaah would send after the Prophet Muhammad (may Allaah mention him with commendation and grant him protection) all the way until the end of this world.

{5} As mentioned earlier, being admitted to Jannah and protected from punishment come from complying with Allaah’s directives by fulfilling His commands and avoiding His prohibitions. That compliance is referred to as observing taqwaa, and Allaah Himself informed us that taqwaa is what true honour, status, and nobility come from. Allaah said, ((Mankind, We certainly created you from one male and one female, and We made you descend as various peoples and tribes so that you would be able to know and identify one another. Indeed, the most honourable of you to Allaah are those who observe taqwaa most)) [49:13].
Regarding taqwaa, al-Imaam ibn Hibbaan had narrated in his book Rawdatul-‘Uqalaa’ some pertinent lines of poetry from a teacher of his named ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn Sulaymaan al-Abrash (may Allaah have mercy upon them), and their meaning is: “[1] When people state the lines of ancestry to which they ascribe, the person who observes taqwaa \ is the one who has the most virtuous ascription because of his taqwaa. [2] Furthermore, when any person observes taqwaa of Allaah, that enables him to obtain \ the most virtuous share that can be attained; [3] and when any person wants to take for himself a means to salvation, \ taqwaa of Allaah indeed provides the best means.”
In addition, al-Imaam ibn al-Jawzee (may Allaah have mercy upon him) had remarked in his book Sayd al-Khaatir, “You must realize that circumstances throughout time do not constantly remain the same way. Allaah – the Almighty and Most Majestic – said, ((We grant victory to people on some days and allow their defeat on others)) [3:140]. Thus, there are times of prosperity and others of poverty; times of honour and others of humiliation; times when those who support you feel happiness because of your happiness, and others when those against you feel happiness because of your misfortune. However, the truly fortunate person is the one who continues to have a certain trait throughout all circumstances. That trait is observing taqwaa of Allaah, the Almighty and Most Majestic. When a person observes taqwaa, it enhances him if he experiences prosperity, it opens the gates of perseverance for him if he faces poverty, it completes the blessings he has if he enjoys wellbeing, and it carries him through adversity if he is tested. When a person observes taqwaa, he would not be harmed in any way, regardless of whether circumstances leave him lowered or elevated, exposed or clothed, hungry or full. That is because all of these conditions eventually come to an end and they change. Observing taqwaa is the foundation of safety. It is a guard that does not sleep, it takes you by the hand when you slip, and it enables you to stay within the bounds that Allaah has set. The truly unfortunate person is the one who is deceived by any enjoyment he attains while neglecting to observe taqwaa, since that enjoyment will eventually change and leave him in a state of loss. Therefore, you must observe taqwaa in all circumstances. When you do that, you will see relief even in times of difficulty, and wellbeing even in times of illness. These are immediate advantages of observing taqwaa, while its long-term advantages which lie ahead are well-known [from other pertinent texts of the Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah].”

References: Musnad al-Imaam Ahmad, no. 22089; Shu‘ab al-Eemaan, no. 4471; Rawdatul-‘Uqalaa’ 1/139 (ed. ad-Darweesh); Sayd al-Khaatir, p. 183 (ed. Taariq); an-Nihaayah (alif baa’ waaw, alif meem meem); Lisaan al-‘Arab 12/30-31, 14/13; Takhreej Ahaadeeth Ihyaa’ ‘Uloom ad-Deen, no. 3227 (compiled by al-Haddaad. Daar al-‘Aasimah, 1408h); It-haaf al-Qaaree bit-Ta‘leeqaat ‘alaa Sharh as-Sunnah 1/50; Saheeh al-Jaami‘, no. 1492; Siraaj, no. 5941.