Categories of Arabs: Extinct and Remaining

The Arabs are divided into two main categories: the extinct and the remaining Arabs. The extinct Arabs, such as the tribes of 'Ad and Thamud, are mentioned in the Quran but no longer exist today. These ancient tribes were known for their impressive civilizations but were destroyed due to their disobedience to Allah.

The remaining Arabs are split into two groups: the Qahtani (pure Arabs) and the Adnani (Arabized Arabs).

The Qahtani Arabs are regarded as the original Arabs who came from Yemen and are descendants of Qahtan. They are believed to have spoken the earliest form of the Arabic language. On the other hand, the Adnani Arabs trace their lineage back to Adnan, a descendant of Ismail عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ  , the son of Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ  . Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself was from the Adnani lineage. The Adnani Arabs adopted the Arabic language after settling in the Arabian Peninsula.

Genealogy and Lineage of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

The exact number of generations between Adnan and Ismail is not definitively known, and there are varying opinions on the matter. Genealogical records from Ismail to Adam are based on biblical and Jewish sources, which are not entirely reliable according to modern standards. However, Islamic tradition provides a clear lineage of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ going back to Adnan, including key figures like Hashim, Abdul Muttalib, and Qusay.

Our Prophet ﷺ is Muhammad ibn Abdillah ibn Abdul Muttalib ibn Hashim ibn Abd Manaf ibn Qusayy ibn Kilab ibn Murrah ibn Ka'b ibn Lu'ayy ibn Ghalib ibn Fihr ibn Malik ibn al-Nadr ibn Kinana ibn Khuzaymah ibn Mudrikah ibn Ilyas ibn Mudar ibn Nizar ibn Ma'ad ibn Adnan.

Here's the genealogy of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ up to Adnan, formatted as a clear list:

1. Muhammad ﷺ

2. ibn Abdullah

3. ibn Abdul-Muttalib (Shayba)

4. ibn Hashim (Amr)

5. ibn Abd Manaf (al-Mughira)

6. ibn Qusayy (Zayd)

7. ibn Kilab

8. ibn Murrah

9. ibn Ka‘b

10. ibn Lu'ayy

11. ibn Ghalib

12. ibn Fihr

13. ibn Malik

14. ibn al-Nadr

15. ibn Kinanah

16. ibn Khuzaymah

17. ibn Mudrikah (ʿAmir)

18. ibn Ilyas

19. ibn Mudar

20. ibn Nizar

21. ibn Ma'add

22. ibn Adnan

Who Was Quraysh?

In the genealogy of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, there is no individual explicitly named "Quraysh." Instead, Islamic scholars have debated over which of his ancestors the term refers to. Among several opinions, three figures stand out: al-Nadr ibn Kinana (often called al-Quraysh al-Akbar), Fihr ibn Malik (al-Quraysh al-Awsat), and Qusayy ibn Kilab (al-Quraysh al-Asghar). Of these, the strongest scholarly view holds that Fihr ibn Malik—the Prophet’s twelfth forefather—is the true Quraysh, as all the Qurayshi sub-tribes trace their lineage back to him.

Fihr serves as the common ancestor of all major Qurayshi tribes, including Banu Hashim, Banu Zuhrah, Banu Makhzum, and Banu Umayyah, among others. At the time of the Prophet ﷺ, there were roughly 12 or 13 such tribes. Even the ten companions promised Paradise (al-‘Asharah al-Mubashsharun) all descend from Fihr. Thus, the title "Quraysh" became associated with him due to his central place in uniting these tribal branches.

Meaning of the Term “Quraysh”

The word "Quraysh" itself is not a proper name but a laqab—a descriptive title. Its exact origin is debated. One interpretation ties it to trade, since the Quraysh were heavily involved in commerce. Another suggests it means “gathering”, referencing how the tribe was united in Makkah. A third view, found in al-Tabari, links it to conquest, recounting that a Qurayshi ancestor subdued other tribes.

Few Immediate Ancestors

Hashim, the great-grandfather of the Prophet ﷺ, was known for his generosity and is credited with establishing important trade routes between Yemen and Syria, which contributed significantly to the economic prosperity of Makkah. His son, Abdul Muttalib, was a respected leader who rediscovered the well of Zamzam and played a crucial role in preparing the Quraysh tribe for the advent of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

The Kaaba, originally built by Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ and Ismail عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ, became a center of idolatry after Amr ibn Luhay introduced pagan practices. However, under the leadership of Qusay, the Quraysh tribe, to which Prophet Muhammad ﷺ belonged, regained control of Makkah from the Khuza'a tribe and restored its importance.

The Year of the Elephant

A significant event marking the divine protection of the Kaaba was Abraha's failed attack with his army of elephants. This incident, which took place in the same year as the Prophet’s birth, is known as the Year of the Elephant. The failure of Abraha’s army, despite its strength, was seen as a clear sign of divine protection over Makkah and foreshadowed the coming of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who would restore monotheistic worship at the Kaaba. This event symbolizes the beginning of a new era for Makkah and the Muslim Ummah.

Belief in Allah in Pre-Islamic Arabia

The pre-Islamic Arabs believed in Allah, the same God worshipped by Muslims. They acknowledged Allah as the Creator, Sustainer, and Originator of the universe. Unlike their idols, they never made an image or idol of Allah, understanding that He could not be represented physically.

However, despite their belief in Allah's supremacy, the Arabs worshipped idols as intermediaries to get closer to Him. They believed their sins made them unworthy of approaching Allah directly, and so they justified using idols to mediate. This practice is condemned in the Quran, where Allah criticizes their reasoning for idol worship.

There is a parallel between the idol worship of pre-Islamic Arabs and certain practices among some contemporary Muslims. Some seek intermediaries like saints or prophets to approach Allah, which contradicts the core teaching of Islam that there should be no intermediaries between Allah and His servants. Direct worship is a fundamental aspect of Islamic belief.

Among the idols worshipped by the Arabs were Hubal, the main idol of Makkah, which was brought from Syria by Amr ibn Luhay, and others like Al-Lat, Al-Uzza, and Manat. Al-Lat, for example, originated from a man who made soup for pilgrims, and after his death, his memory was transformed into an object of worship.

The Strategic Position of Arabia

Arabia was strategically located between two great empires of the time: the Byzantine and Sassanid Empires. This made it an ideal location for spreading the new message of Islam. Interestingly, the Arabs had no history of colonialism or aggressive conquests, making their rise as a religious and political power unexpected.

The Arabs were known for their honesty, bravery, and simplicity, qualities that made them receptive to the pure message of Islam. Their resilience and ability to endure hardship also helped the early Muslim armies in their conquests.

Makkah, the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, holds immense historical and spiritual significance. It was the site of the first house built for the worship of Allah by Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ and his son Ismail عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ. The Kaaba became the focal point for the new Islamic faith, with its monotheistic foundation making it a symbol of the pure worship of Allah.

Prophet Ibrahim’s prayer for a prophet from his progeny to guide the people was fulfilled with the birth of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This connection to Ibrahim highlights the continuity of the monotheistic message from Ibrahim to Muhammad, reinforcing Islam's roots in the ancient monotheistic traditions.