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What is the correct interpretation of the Almighty's saying: "And We made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another," and what is the difference between a tribe (qabilah) and tribalism (qabiliyyah), what was the reason for the revelation of the verse, and what are the ties of kinship (silat al-arham) and who are they?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

There is no Hadith specifying a certain number of fathers or grandfathers to be included in kinship ties (silat al-rahim); rather, the closer the person, the more confirmed the tie. Kinship ties are maintained through visiting, gifting, communicating, and anything considered a connection in common understanding. The reason for the revelation of the verse: (O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted) was the story of Thabit ibn Qays and his statement to a man who did not make room for him: "Son of so-and-so."

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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