Not Because of Lineage! But Because of Good Deeds

The issue of lineage, which remains a contentious issue in Indonesia, between the Habibs and the supporters of Kyai Imanuddin Banten, is still frequently mentioned on the social media feeds of the author or those reading this article.

Regarding a video of a babib who said that he was a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad SAW and claimed that his lineage was the most correct and said that the lineage of the Wali Songo was broken, or a video of a kyai who canceled the truth of the lineage of the habib (ba'alawi).

Many people on social media followed this case, from lay people to intellectuals, so much so that it seemed as if this commotion was considered something very important, farmers and fishermen also commented, artists and journalists also joined in discussing the issue of lineage.

Therefore, through this article, the author does not want to defend or blame someone's lineage, nor does he want to support either of the two groups who, until now, are still responding to each other, criticizing each other on social media.

The author can only pray and endeavor with this article, hoping that the truth will soon be revealed, and that through this writing, the public will be wiser in responding to the ongoing conflict. To avoid appearing fabricated, the author has included a link to the incident that triggered this case.

In this article, the author avoids focusing on the issue of lineage, which could lead to mutual challenges between the two parties to undergo DNA testing. Therefore, from this case, the author concludes that there are at least two important points that require collective attention as Muslims.

First, to those who have a noble lineage (Habib, Kyai, Tuan Guru, Gus etc.). That noble destiny is not something to be proud of. Until there is a statement that 1 (one) habib is better than 70 (seventy) kyai, we are descendants of the Prophet, we have the blood of the Prophet in our blood.

Statements like this are very contradictory (contrary) to Islamic teachings. It is as if there is a guarantee from Allah SWT, to the owner of a noble lineage. The kyai's son was proud of his lineage, saying; I'm Gus, I'm the teacher's son, I'm the prophet's son, I'm the president's son, I'm the governor's son and so on.

The question is, since when in Islam has nasab been used as a basis and condition for accepting and rejecting a practice? Since when is the measure of a person's goodness and badness seen from his or her lineage? Is it true that a person can achieve a degree of glory before Allah with his lineage? Then is it true that someone who does not have a noble lineage will be humiliated and abandoned by Allah?

In Islamic law, faith and good deeds are one of the conditions for someone to be noble or vice versa. Therefore, in Islam, a person's glory is not seen from his or her lineage. So our attitude towards owners of noble lines is very clear, we respect them but we do not purify them. There are many arguments and verses in the Koran and Hadith that touch on this. Allah Ta'ala says;

وَلِكُلٍّ دَرَجَاتٌ مِمَّا عَمِلُوا

"And to each of them a degree according to what they have done" (QS. Al An'âm: 132 and Al Ahqaf: 19).

This verse shows that it is good deeds that raise the status of a servant to be noble in the hereafter.

As for the shahihain, it is stated;

قَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ – صلى الله عليه وسلم – حِينَ أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ( وَأَنْذِرْ عَشِيرَتَكَ الأَقْرَبِينَ ) قَالَ « يَا مَعْشَرَ قُرَيْشٍ – أَوْ كَلِمَةً نَحْوَهَا – اشْتَرُوا Allah's blessings بَنِى عَبْدِ مَنَافٍ لاَ أُغْنِى عَنْكُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا ، يَا God willing, God willing, God willing, God willing, God willing. God willing صَفِيَّةُ عَمَّةَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ لاَ أُغْنِى عَنْكِ God bless you سَلِينِى مَا »

"The Messenger of Allah sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam stood up when the verse was revealed, and give a warning to your closest relatives." (QS. Ash Syu'ara: 214). Then he said, "O people of Quraysh or something like that-, save yourselves, indeed I cannot help you in the slightest from Allah. O Bani 'Abdi Manaf, indeed I cannot help you in the slightest from Allah. O 'Abbas bin 'Abdul Muthollib, indeed I cannot help you in the slightest from Allah. O Shofiyah aunt Rasulullah, indeed I cannot help you in the slightest from Allah. O Fatimah, daughter of Muhammad, ask me what you want from my wealth, indeed I cannot help you in the slightest from Allah." (HR. Bukhari no. 2753 and Muslim no. 206).

وَمَنْ بَطَّأَ بِهِ عَمَلُهُ لَمْ يُسْرِعْ بِهِ نَسَبُهُ

"Whoever is slow in his deeds, his destiny cannot catch up" (HR. Muslim no. 2699, from Abu Hurairah).

This hadith proves that lineage and family relationships cannot guarantee a person's salvation and honor. There is no guarantee from Allah that someone will be approved and blessed because of their lineage.

Therefore, one of the causes of this problem (lineage) is a flawed way of thinking, a flawed way of understanding Islamic law. It could be that their mindset is not in accordance with Islamic law, resulting in a problematic worldview.

Second, To those of noble lineage. Our attitude as Muslims is that we respect them, but we do not sanctify them. Therefore, we also have the right to criticize anyone, as long as they violate Islamic law or sharia. Therefore, as Muslims, we have the right to correct and advise against such inconsistencies. Because this religion is about advice. If they are right, we correct them. We do not justify wrongdoing or condemn the truth.

This is how we advise them, not necessarily sanctify those with noble lineages. This is the perspective we must cultivate in our society. Therefore, whoever you are—the son of a religious teacher, the son of a guardian, or a descendant of the Prophet—remember that there is no guarantee of salvation based on that lineage. Our success is determined by our faith and good deeds.

The author's message is: Let us each reflect, fellow Muslims, let us not insult and curse one another, and let us not be easily impressed and excited by small and trivial matters. Remember the enemies of Islam: they are the ones who rejoice most when we are at odds with one another. And they are the ones who laugh when we disagree.

This article is the work of the 2nd (two) winner in the Batuter.com Anniversary Scientific Paper Competition.

Author: Jalaluddin, S.Pd.