Understanding The Prophet's Life
From Issue: 614 [Read full issue]
Lineage
"Whoever is slowed by his deeds will not be hastened forward by his lineage." [Muslim]
All of mankind comes from the same source, Adam and Hawa. All people share this common lineage. And they have all been created for the same purpose and they are all expected to heed the guidance that has come from Allah.
In reality, there is nothing naturally or inborn that separates one human being from another. The only thing that is going to distinguish them is their consciousness of God (taqwa) that is in their hearts and which is manifested in their deeds. If a person himself did not work for Paradise, then he is not going to be blessed with Paradise due to what others have done, no matter how close their blood relationship may be. If the deeds are not there, one's lineage is not going to help the person whatsoever. This is true for the noblest lineage of mankind.
Compiled From:
"Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi" - Jamaal al-Din M. Zarabozo, pp. 1339, 1340