People often enquire, whether there any living descendants of the Prophet Mohammed alive today. The logical reason relates to him marrying and having children. There are even some families in South Africa heralding from the sub-continent who claim to be from the Prophets lineage and in some cases are treated like royalty. This topic although somewhat controversial attempts to discuss and raise awareness of what happened to many members of the Prophets family. At the onset this is neither a Shia Vs Sunni article and it is simply of a historical nature.
The Prophet Mohammed, in total had between 9-13 wives (When I was in Madressah, I was told it was 9) There seems to be debate as to the exact number amongst different schools of thought. What is certain is that he only bore children with his first wife, Hazrath Kadijah which included 2 sons Qasim and Abdullah who passed away at a young age and 4 daughters, Zaynab, Ruqaya, Umm Kulthum and Fatimah Az Zahrah. It is believed by some that his only biological daughter was Fatimah Az Zahra, while the others were from Hazrath Kadijah's previous marriage(s). She (Fathima Az Zahra) subsequently married Ali Ibn Talib the cousin of the Prophet and bore 4 children. These include: Hassan, Hussein, Umm Kulthum and Zaynab. When I was in Madressah and till this day, the furthest level of ancestry I have seen reported ends at Hassan and Hussein. Why this is the case I am not sure. Most of the people I know, know nothing beyond Hassan and Hussein. Let us now examine what has happened to Hazrath Ali, Fathima Az Zahra, there children, and childrens children.
Hazrath Ali(RA)
Full Name: Ali Ibn Abu Talib
Born: 17 July 607
Died: 27 January 661 (Age 54)
Spouse: Fatima Bint Mohammed
Children: Hassan, Hussein, Zaynab and Umm Kuthum
Cause of death: Murdered by poisoning
Burial Place: Great Mosque of Kufa, Iraq
Full Name: Ali Ibn Abu Talib
Born: 17 July 607
Died: 27 January 661 (Age 54)
Spouse: Fatima Bint Mohammed
Children: Hassan, Hussein, Zaynab and Umm Kuthum
Cause of death: Murdered by poisoning
Burial Place: Great Mosque of Kufa, Iraq
Fathima Azz Zahra (RA)
Full Name: Fatima Bint Mohammed
Born: 27 July 604
Died: 28 August 632 (Age 28)
Spouse: Ali Ibn Talib
Children: Hassan, Hussein, Zaynab and Umm Kuthum
Cause of death: Disputed, Sunni - Death by heartbreak, Shia - Murdered by Ummar Ibn Affan
Burial Place: Jannatul Baki, Medinah, Saudi Arabia
Full Name: Fatima Bint Mohammed
Born: 27 July 604
Died: 28 August 632 (Age 28)
Spouse: Ali Ibn Talib
Children: Hassan, Hussein, Zaynab and Umm Kuthum
Cause of death: Disputed, Sunni - Death by heartbreak, Shia - Murdered by Ummar Ibn Affan
Burial Place: Jannatul Baki, Medinah, Saudi Arabia
Hassan Ibn Ali
Full Name: Hassan Ibn Ali Ibn Talib
Born: 4 March 625
Died: 9 March 670 (Age: 45)
Spouse(s): Um Kulthum bint Alfadhl bin Al-Abbas bin Abdulmuttalib bin Hashim, Khawla bint Mandhoor bin Zaban bin Syar bin Amro, Um Basheer bint Abi Mas'ud, Ju'da bint Al-Ash'ath bin Qays, Ma'di Karb Alkindi, Um Ishaq bint Talha bin Ubaydillah bin Uthman Al-Taymi, Zainab bint Sabee' bin Abdullah, Baqliya, Dhamya and Safia
Children: Qasim, Mohammed Ibn Hassan, Fathima, Abu Bakr, Zayd, Abdullah, Talha, Maymuna, Hasan al
Muthana and Umm Al Husayn
Cause of Death: Murdered by poisoning
Place of burial: Jannataul Baki, Medinah, Saudi Arabia
Full Name: Hassan Ibn Ali Ibn Talib
Born: 4 March 625
Died: 9 March 670 (Age: 45)
Spouse(s): Um Kulthum bint Alfadhl bin Al-Abbas bin Abdulmuttalib bin Hashim, Khawla bint Mandhoor bin Zaban bin Syar bin Amro, Um Basheer bint Abi Mas'ud, Ju'da bint Al-Ash'ath bin Qays, Ma'di Karb Alkindi, Um Ishaq bint Talha bin Ubaydillah bin Uthman Al-Taymi, Zainab bint Sabee' bin Abdullah, Baqliya, Dhamya and Safia
Children: Qasim, Mohammed Ibn Hassan, Fathima, Abu Bakr, Zayd, Abdullah, Talha, Maymuna, Hasan al
Muthana and Umm Al Husayn
Cause of Death: Murdered by poisoning
Place of burial: Jannataul Baki, Medinah, Saudi Arabia
Hussein Ibn Ali
Full Name: Hussein Ibn Ali Ibn Talib
Born: 11 January 626
Died: 13 October 680 (Age: 54)
Spouse(s): Shar Banu, Umm Rubab, Umm Layla and Umm Ishaq
Children: Ali Ibn Al Hussein Ibn Ali, Ali Akbar, Ali Asghar, Umm Kaltoom, Sakeena, Fathima and Zaynab
Cause of Death: Beheaded after Battle of Karbala
Place of burial: Karbala, Iraq
Full Name: Hussein Ibn Ali Ibn Talib
Born: 11 January 626
Died: 13 October 680 (Age: 54)
Spouse(s): Shar Banu, Umm Rubab, Umm Layla and Umm Ishaq
Children: Ali Ibn Al Hussein Ibn Ali, Ali Akbar, Ali Asghar, Umm Kaltoom, Sakeena, Fathima and Zaynab
Cause of Death: Beheaded after Battle of Karbala
Place of burial: Karbala, Iraq
Zaynul Abideen
Full Name: Ali Ibn Al Hussein Ibn Ali
Parents: Hussein Ibn Ali
Born: 4 January 659
Died: 20 October 713 (Age 44)
Spouse(s): Fatimah Bint Hassan and Jaydah Al Sindi
Children: Mohammed Al Baqir and Zayd Ibn Ali
Cause of death: Murdered by poisoning
Place of Burial: Jannatul Baki, Medinah, Saudi Arabia
Full Name: Ali Ibn Al Hussein Ibn Ali
Parents: Hussein Ibn Ali
Born: 4 January 659
Died: 20 October 713 (Age 44)
Spouse(s): Fatimah Bint Hassan and Jaydah Al Sindi
Children: Mohammed Al Baqir and Zayd Ibn Ali
Cause of death: Murdered by poisoning
Place of Burial: Jannatul Baki, Medinah, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Al Baqir
Full Name: Mohammed Ibn Ali Al Baqir
Born: Disputed Date and Month, 676
Died: 31 January 733 (Age 57)
Spouse(s): Farwah Bint Al Qasim, Umm Hakim Bint Usayd Ibn Al Mughira and Al Thaqafi
Children: Jaffar As Sadiq, Ebrahim, Ali, Abdullah, Ubaydullah, Zaynab and Umm Salamah
Cause of death: Murdered by poisoning
Place of Burial: Jannatul Baki, Medinah, Saudi Arabia
Full Name: Mohammed Ibn Ali Al Baqir
Born: Disputed Date and Month, 676
Died: 31 January 733 (Age 57)
Spouse(s): Farwah Bint Al Qasim, Umm Hakim Bint Usayd Ibn Al Mughira and Al Thaqafi
Children: Jaffar As Sadiq, Ebrahim, Ali, Abdullah, Ubaydullah, Zaynab and Umm Salamah
Cause of death: Murdered by poisoning
Place of Burial: Jannatul Baki, Medinah, Saudi Arabia
Jafar Al Sadiq
Full Name: Jafar ibn Mohammed Al Sadiq
Born: 23 April 702
Died: 7 December 765 (Age 63)
Spouse(s): Fathimah Bint Hussain Al Athram and Hamidah Al Barbariyya
Children: Moosa Al Kadhim, Ismail Ibn Jafar, Ismail Ibn Jafar, Abdullah Al Aftah, Ishaq, Ali Al Uraidhi, Al Abbas, Mohammed Al Dibaj, Fatimah, Um Farwah and Asma
Cause of death: Murdered by poisoning
Place of Burial: Jannatul Baki, Medinah, Saudi Arabia
Full Name: Jafar ibn Mohammed Al Sadiq
Born: 23 April 702
Died: 7 December 765 (Age 63)
Spouse(s): Fathimah Bint Hussain Al Athram and Hamidah Al Barbariyya
Children: Moosa Al Kadhim, Ismail Ibn Jafar, Ismail Ibn Jafar, Abdullah Al Aftah, Ishaq, Ali Al Uraidhi, Al Abbas, Mohammed Al Dibaj, Fatimah, Um Farwah and Asma
Cause of death: Murdered by poisoning
Place of Burial: Jannatul Baki, Medinah, Saudi Arabia
Moosa Al Kadhim
Full Name: Moosa Ibn Jafar Al Kadim
Born: 10 November 745
Died: 4 September 799 (Age 54)
Spouse(s): Umm Najmah
Children: Ali Al Ridha, Salhi, Ahmed, Mohammed, Abbas, Qasim, Ismail, Jafar, Haroon, Husayn, Abdullah, Ishaq, Ubaydullah, Zayd, Hasan, Fadl, Sulayman , Fathima Al Kubra, Fatima Al-Sughra, Hajar Kathun, Ruqaya Al-Kubra, Ruqaya Al-Sughra, Hakeema, Umm Abeeha Umm Kulthum, Umm Salma, Umm Ja'far, Lubana, Alya , Amina, Hasana, Bareeha, Ayesha, Zainab and Kadija.
Cause of death: Murdered by poisoning
Place of Burial: Bhagdad, Iraq
Full Name: Moosa Ibn Jafar Al Kadim
Born: 10 November 745
Died: 4 September 799 (Age 54)
Spouse(s): Umm Najmah
Children: Ali Al Ridha, Salhi, Ahmed, Mohammed, Abbas, Qasim, Ismail, Jafar, Haroon, Husayn, Abdullah, Ishaq, Ubaydullah, Zayd, Hasan, Fadl, Sulayman , Fathima Al Kubra, Fatima Al-Sughra, Hajar Kathun, Ruqaya Al-Kubra, Ruqaya Al-Sughra, Hakeema, Umm Abeeha Umm Kulthum, Umm Salma, Umm Ja'far, Lubana, Alya , Amina, Hasana, Bareeha, Ayesha, Zainab and Kadija.
Cause of death: Murdered by poisoning
Place of Burial: Bhagdad, Iraq
Ali al Ridha
Full Name: Ali Ibn Moosa Al Ridha
Born: 1 January 765
Died: 26 May 819 (Age 54)
Spouse: Sabikah Aka Khuziran
Children: Mohammed Al Taqi
Cause of death: Murder by poisoning
Place of burial: Masshad, Iran
Full Name: Ali Ibn Moosa Al Ridha
Born: 1 January 765
Died: 26 May 819 (Age 54)
Spouse: Sabikah Aka Khuziran
Children: Mohammed Al Taqi
Cause of death: Murder by poisoning
Place of burial: Masshad, Iran
Mohammed Al Jawaad
Full Name: Mohammed Al Jawaad/Al Taqi
Born: 12 April 811
Died: 29 November 835 (Age 24)
Spouse: Sumanah
Children: Ali Al Hadi, Moosa Al Mubarak and Hakima Katun
Cause of death: Murder by poisoning
Place of burial: Bagdhad, Iraq
Full Name: Mohammed Al Jawaad/Al Taqi
Born: 12 April 811
Died: 29 November 835 (Age 24)
Spouse: Sumanah
Children: Ali Al Hadi, Moosa Al Mubarak and Hakima Katun
Cause of death: Murder by poisoning
Place of burial: Bagdhad, Iraq
Ali Al Hadi
Full Name: Ali Al Hadi Ibn Mohammed
Born: 8 September 829
Died: 1 July 868 (Age 39)
Spouse: Haditha
Children: Hasan Al Askari, Mohammed, Abdullah and Ayesha
Cause of death: Murder by poisoning
Place of burial: Bagdhad, Iraq
Full Name: Ali Al Hadi Ibn Mohammed
Born: 8 September 829
Died: 1 July 868 (Age 39)
Spouse: Haditha
Children: Hasan Al Askari, Mohammed, Abdullah and Ayesha
Cause of death: Murder by poisoning
Place of burial: Bagdhad, Iraq
Hasan Al Askari
Full Name: Hasan Al Askari
Born: 6 December 846
Died: 4 January 874 (Age 28)
Spouse: Narjis
Children: Disputed, Sunni None, Shia: Mohammed Al Mahdi
Cause of death: Murder by poisoning
Place of burial: Bagdhad, Iraq
Full Name: Hasan Al Askari
Born: 6 December 846
Died: 4 January 874 (Age 28)
Spouse: Narjis
Children: Disputed, Sunni None, Shia: Mohammed Al Mahdi
Cause of death: Murder by poisoning
Place of burial: Bagdhad, Iraq
This Shias believe that Mohammed Al Mahdi, son of Hasan Al Askari is the promised Mahdi ie the person who will come back with Jesus to save the world. Shias believe that since many of the Prophets direct lineage were assasinated, Mohammed Al Mahdi was hidden and will appear when the timing is right. If someone was after me, I would of also went into hiding. Some Sunnis believe that Hasan Al Askari did not have any children, while others argue that even if he did exist, his description did not meet the physical description of the Mahdi. My own view is that, if he was hidden, or living amongst us, this would mean that he is over a 1000 years old. This does not seem plausible taking into account that the Prophet Mohammed, the Grandmaster did not live past 65. During my research, one thing that was noted was that the Prophets life and that of his children and their children has not been well documented. Simple matters of how many wives did the Prophet have 9 vs 13, how did the Prophet die (most believe a natural death, whilst others believe he succumbed to the effects of poisoning ie murdered), how many biological children did he have, all appear debateable. If these issues were well documented, there wouldnt be any debate. It is often mentioned that spying is the second oldest profession after prostitution. When the Islamic Empire was formed, it was almost probable that enemy states would have attempted to infiltrate and neutralize its growth. Fortunately, the Quran was sav
ed into the minds of countless people, the only way that one could neutralize the believers of Islam was to infiltrate or assassinate its leadership and spread misinformation. As one can see, most of the elders of the Prophets lineage were taken out supporting this view. Another interesting observation is that almost all the people set out above had more than one wife and some had in excess of 10 children. To answer the question of whether there are any surviving descendants of the Prophets lineage, the answer is more than probably, yes. Could there be relatives in India, the answer is also yes. As seen above, some of the Prophets descendants made it to Iran. Iran in the old days borderd the Afghanistan which along with India was once part of the Mughal Empire. The main issue at hand is separating the con artists from the truthsayers. I would say the only plausible way to do this would be to perform some form of genetic/DNA testing to seperate the shennanigans from the real Mccoy. My own recommendation, is for our scholars to pursue research in the direction of the Prophets lineage, and adequately document and reach consensus on his history and that of his kindred.