deficient in the view of those who possess religion and chivalry (muru'at). The evidence for considering lineage in compatibility is the statement of 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him: "I will surely prevent the women of status from marrying anyone except those who are compatible." He was asked: "And who are the compatible ones?" He replied: "Those of similar status (hasab)." (9) It was narrated by Abu Bakr 'Abd al-'Aziz with his isnad (chain of narration). (10) Furthermore, the Arabs consider compatibility in lineage and disdain marrying the mawali (freedmen) (11), viewing that as a deficiency and a shame. Thus, when compatibility is mentioned without qualification, it must be understood according to custom. Additionally, since the absence of this entails shame and deficiency, it must be considered a factor in compatibility, just like religion. (13)

Section: There is a difference in narration from Ahmad. It is reported from him that someone who is not from the Quraysh cannot be a compatible match for them, and one who is not from the Banu Hashim cannot be a compatible match for them. This is the statement (14) of some of the companions of al-Shafi'i, based on what was narrated from the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, that he said: "Verily, Allah chose Kinana from the children of Ishmael, and chose Quraysh from Kinana, and chose the Banu Hashim from Quraysh, and chose me from the Banu Hashim." (15) Moreover, the Arabs were favored over (16) other nations by the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and the Quraysh are more closely related to him than the rest of the Arabs, and the Banu Hashim are more closely related to him than the Quraysh. Similarly, 'Uthman and Jubayr ibn Mut'im said: "Our brothers from the Banu Hashim, we do not deny their merit over us, due to the position in which Allah has placed you among them." (17) Abu Hanifa said: The non-Arabs ('Ajam) are not compatible matches for the Arabs, nor are the Arabs for the Quraysh, and the Quraysh are all compatible with one another; because Ibn Abbas said: "The Quraysh are compatible matches for one another."