Is lineage, or piety, the criterion for the superiority of people? And does the people's supplication to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and his Household, without the Companions, after his death, prove their superiority?

Loving the Family of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and knowing their virtue and honor is part of faith. However, virtue is exclusive to those among them who are pious, for superiority in the sight of Allah is based on piety, not solely on lineage. The Companions sought intercession through the Prophet (peace be upon him) by his supplication, not by his status. Therefore, after his death, they turned to seeking intercession through his uncle Al-Abbas. Muslims have agreed that the best of the Ummah after its Prophet are Abu Bakr, then Umar, then Uthman, then Ali. Umar's choice of Al-Abbas for seeking rain was not because he was better than the other caliphs, but because he was the uncle of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), to demonstrate the virtue of the People of the Household, and due to Umar's humility. It is not a condition for seeking rain that the best of people come forward to supplicate, but rather those known for righteousness and piety.