Sharif
Sharīf (
Arabic:
شريف ) is a traditional
Arab tribal title given to those who serve as the protector of the tribe and all tribal assets, property, land, wells etc.
It is used, in the
Islamic tradition (both
Sunni and
Shia), to refer to those claiming descent from
Muhammad through
Hasan, son of his daughter
Fatima Zahra and son-in-law
ˤAlī. (Descendants of another son,
Husayn, are often referred to as
Sayyid.) From 1201, this family held the office of the
Sharīf of Makkah and descendants now rule
Jordan.
Note: Although it may be tempting to infer an etymological connection with the
English term
sheriff, the latter term actually comes from the Old English word scīrgerefa, meaning "shire-reeve", being the local
reeve (enforcement agent) of the king in the
shire (county).
*
Sayyid*
Mazār-e Sharīf
