Where is the lineage of the Prophet (peace be upon him) found, how can they be identified, and what is our duty towards them?

The family (Aal) of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, are Banu Hashim, Banu Al-Muttalib, and his wives. They are numerous and dispersed throughout various lands, and many of them possess family trees that prove their lineage to the Household (Ahl al-Bayt). The Ahl al-Bayt who are present today are mostly descendants of Al-Hasan (definition) and Al-Husayn, sons of Ali ibn Abi Talib. They have rights such as love, support, and honor, and the invocation of blessings upon them in the final tashahhud (definition). One must beware of falsely claiming lineage, for all virtue lies in piety and righteous deeds, and lineage will not benefit its claimant in any way on the Day of Judgment.