Journal of Islamic Studies > Volume 29, No. 1, 2017

Belonging Concepts in the Qur'an and the Sunnah: By Lineage and by Affiliation \ Mohamed Hossam Abdul Karim Abdul Aziz

Abstract

This research is concerned with the study of two main types of belonging: by lineage and by affiliation. The two types are discussed in the light of the Qur'an and the Sunnah, in terms of concepts, incentives, evidences, requirements, implications as well as raised doubts. The research follows a historical descriptive approach, with analytical and inductive dimensions. Among the research results are the following: the sense of lineage belonging is an innate need in human nature as well as in Shari'ah and in communal life; in the absence of lineage, one would seek affiliation, for man is a social being by nature; one must not be made to belong to none other than one's blood relations and guardians; on one's death and resurrection (in the grave and on the Resurrection Day) lineage belonging is well established, despite possible exceptions; the disbeliever benefits nothing from his believing lineage; a disbelieving lineage should not cause any offence to its believing descendants; neither a believing lineage nor a believing affiliation is a definite guarantee to paradise – what matters is enjoining good and helping one another in fearing Allah. The research recommends that other types of belonging be studied, such as territorial belonging.

Keywords: belonging – lineage – affiliation – alliance – descendants – blood relations - tribalism.

(Received 20/04/2015; accepted for publication 24/05/2015.)