Parents of the Prophet Ṣallallahu ʿAlayhi Wasallam

Question:

Were the parents of our Nabi, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Muslims? Some scholars say that they were Muslims, while some say that they were not Muslims. I am confused.

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-raḥmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

The status granted to Nabī Karīm Ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa-ʿalā ālihi wa-ṣaḥbihi wa-sallam by Allāh Taʿālā does not change whether his parents did or did not pass away upon īmān (faith).[i]

This has been the stance adopted by many scholars of the past, including:

1. ʿAllāmah Suhaylī
2. ʿAllāmah Sakhāwī
3. ʿAllāmah Ibn ʿĀbidīn

ʿAllāmah Sakhāwī Rahimahullah (d.902 AH) writes in Al-I’lan Bil Tawbikh:

وكذا ما أحسن صنيع أبي داود حيث كنى حين إيراد الحديث الذي قال فيه النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم لإبنته فاطمة “لو فعلت كذا ما دخلت الجنة حتى يراها جد أبيك” بقوله فذكر تشديدا عظيما وقال السهيلي “ليس لنا أن نقول نحن في أبويه صلى الله عليه وسلم ذلك” وعلل ذلك وعندي أن الصواب عدم التكلم فيهما إثباتا ونفيا إلا عند الإضطرار إليه مع ثابتي الإيمان

Translation:

“Likewise, how excellent was the manner of Abū Dāwūd when he used a kunya while mentioning the ḥadīth in which the Prophet ﷺ said to his daughter Fāṭimah, ‘If you were to do such-and-such, you would not enter Paradise until your great-grandfather sees her,’ by saying ‘so he mentioned a severe warning.’ Al-Suhaylī said: ‘It is not for us to say such a thing regarding his parents ﷺ.’ He gave the reasoning for this, and in my view the correct approach is to refrain from speaking about them, either affirmatively or negatively, except when absolutely necessary, while maintaining firm faith.”[ii]

‘Allamah Sakhāwī Rahimahullah (d.902 AH) also writes in Al-Ajwibah al-Mardiyyah:

الأولى عندي عدم إشاعة الكلام في ذلك وعدم الخوض فيه

 Translation:

“In my view, it is better not to circulate discussion about this matter, nor to engage in it.”[iii]

‘Allamah Ibn Abidin Rahimahullah (d.1252 AH) writes in Rad al-Muhtar:

لا ينبغي ذكر هذه المسألة إلا مع مزيد الأدب وليست من المسائل التي يضر جهلها أو يسأل عنه في القبر أو في الوقف فحفظ اللسان عن التكلم فيها إلا بخير أولى وأسلم

Translation:

“It is not appropriate to mention this issue except with utmost respect. It is not among those issues whose ignorance causes harm, nor is it something about which one will be questioned in the grave or regarding endowments. Therefore, safeguarding the tongue from speaking about it, except in good terms, is better and safer.”[iv]

This has been the stance of our ‘Ulamā of Deoband:

Hadrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Al Thanwi Rahimahullah writes in Imdad al-Fatawa:

در اسلام ابوین جناب سرور کائنات صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم علماء را اختلاف ست ، تحقیق در چنیں امور توقف کردن است زیر اکہ ایں امور داخل عقائد نیست نہ جزو ایمان ودین ہر چہ باداباد مار فکر ضرورت دین باید ودریں امور لب کشائی نہ شاید کہ اگر مومن باشند کافر گفتن ہم خطا بالعکس ہم ناروا ولا تقف ما ليس لك به علم إن السمع والبصر والفؤاد كل أولئك كان عنه مسؤولا

Translation:

“There is difference of opinion among scholars regarding the parents of the Master of all creation ﷺ. The correct approach in such matters is to remain silent, as these issues are not part of العقائد (beliefs), nor are they a component of īmān or religion. Whatever has to be, is already known; our concern should be with matters necessary for dīn. Speaking unnecessarily about such matters is not appropriate. If they were believers, calling them disbelievers would be incorrect, and vice versa. ‘And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, hearing, sight and the heart – each of these will be questioned.’”[v]

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Answered by: Muadh Chati

Checked & Approved By: Mufti Ebrahim Desai

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[i] وأمرهم لا يقدح في نسب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لأن أنكحة الكفار صحيحة

(دلائل النبوة للبيهقي ص١٩٢ ج١ دار الكتب العلمية)

[ii] (الإعلان بالتوبيخ لمن ذم أهل التاريخ للسخاوي ص١١٧ دار الكتب العلمية)

[iii] (الأجوبة المرضية للسخاوي ص٩٧٥ دار الراية)

[iv] (رد المحتار ج٤ ص٣٥٠ دار عالم الكتب)

[v] (إمداد الفتاوى للشيخ أشرف التهانوي ج٥ ص٣٩٣ مكتبة دار العلوم كراجي)