Who Are The Hashemites & Why Does Jordan's Royal Family Matter In The Islamic World? Explained

Last Updated:December 16, 2025, 15:59 IST

The Hashemites (or Banu Hashim) are a clan of the Quraysh tribe of Mecca and The Prophet Muhammad belonged to this clan

The royal family of Jordan traces its lineage from the Prophet through Fatimah, the Prophet's daughter, and her husband Ali ibn Abi Talib, the fourth Caliph of Islam. (AFP)

In a diplomatically important foreign tour, marking the beginning of the maiden comprehensive bilateral state visit between India and Jordan in 37 years and coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Jordan to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries in the first leg of his foreign tour.

In a gesture that is typical of the warm relationship that exists between the two nations, PM Modi received a warm reception at the airport by the Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan. The prime minister held talks with King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and reviewed the relationship between the two nations.

The visit has brought the spotlight on the Jordanian Hashemite monarchy, which has over the years remained central in the formulation of the country’s foreign policy.

Hashemites are a historical Arab royal family which, because of their descent and involvement in politics, hold a significant place in the Islamic World, particularly because the royal family of Jordan claims descent from Prophet Muhammad himself.

The Hashemites (or Banu Hashim) are a clan of the Quraysh tribe of Mecca. The Prophet Muhammad belonged to this clan, making the Hashemites his direct kin. The name comes from Hashim ibn Abd Manaf, the Prophet’s great-grandfather.

The royal family of Jordan traces its lineage from the Prophet through Fatimah, the Prophet’s daughter, and her husband Ali ibn Abi Talib, the fourth Caliph of Islam. In this way, they belong to the Ahl al-Bayt—the family of the Prophet—who are held in utmost esteem throughout the Muslim world, whether they are Sunnis or Shia Muslims.

For centuries, the Hashemites occupied prestigious religious and political positions. They ruled as Sharifs of Mecca from the 10th century until 1925, acting as the hereditary guardians of Islam’s holiest city. As sharifs, their functions included the safeguarding of pilgrims, religious affairs, as well as the safeguarding of the holy sites in the city of Mecca and Medina. Their long tenure as guardians of the holy sites placed their religious legitimacy squarely within the realms of Islamic history.

The Hashemite dynasty emerged as a powerful force in the world due to their involvement in and after the outbreak of World War I. The leader of the revolt in Arabia, Sharif Hussein bin Ali, the Sharif of Mecca, led the revolt against the Ottoman Empire in 1916 with the support of the British government. Despite their fall in 1925 to the House of Saud in Mecca, the Hashemites became the ruling dynasty in newly created states under British auspices.

His son, Abdullah I, ruled Transjordan in 1921, then established the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 1946. Since then, it has been ruled by the descendants of Al-Hashem.

King Abdullah II, the monarch of Jordan today, also emphasises the dual position of members of his family, both as political rulers and heirs of the Prophet. His family’s ancestry is the cornerstone of Jordanian foreign policy leverage, especially in concerns related to Jerusalem, religious dialogue, and Middle Eastern security.

Importance in Islamic World

The linkage of descent from Prophet Muhammad confers the highest religious status upon Jordanian monarchs. In Islamic traditions generally, descent from the prophet is often considered to possess moral authority and legitimacy.

The king of Jordan has a very well-known status as a protector of Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, particularly at Al-Aqsa Mosque and at Haram Al-Sharif/ Temple Mount. The status of the king of Jordan as a protector of these holy sites has been reaffirmed in agreements between Jordan and Israel or between Jordan and the Palestinian authority.

Their ancestry, historical stewardship of holy places, and modern advocacy of moderation give Jordan’s royal family a special and enduring place in Islamic consciousness—one rooted as much in faith and history as in contemporary politics.

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