Chapter: The Prohibition of Disparaging Lineages Recognized by the Sacred Law

Allah the Exalted says: “Those who harm believing men and believing women for something they have not earned have surely burdened themselves with slander and a manifest sin” (Q 33:58).

1578 – Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Two traits found among people are acts of disbelief: vilifying someone’s lineage and wailing over the dead.” Recorded by Muslim.

As for the second—namely, this second chapter—it deals with casting aspersions upon lineage. That means shaming a person because of his descent or denying the authenticity of that descent. A taunter might say, for example, “You belong to such-and-such a tribe, a tribe that cannot fend off an enemy or shelter the poor,” then list its faults. Or he might say, “You claim descent from the family of so-and-so, but you are not one of them. No good resides in you or in that clan; had you truly belonged to them, some virtue would have shown in you,” and similar remarks.

He then cites the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) in which the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Two….”