Madinah lineages and descents form a rich tapestry that tells the story of Islamic civilization. Based on the seminal work Tuhfat Al-Muhibbin wal-Ashab fi Ma’rifat ma lil-Madaniyyin min al-Ansab (The Lovers’ and Friends’ Treasure: Knowing the Lineages of the Medinans) by Abdul Rahman al-Ansari, this guide provides a detailed breakdown of the city’s social composition. We will explore the ancient tribes from the Prophet’s era and the new families that arrived over subsequent centuries, painting a complete picture of Madinah lineages and descents.

Table of Contents

1. Understanding the Source: Al-Ansari’s Masterpiece
2. The Ancient Lineages: Madinah’s Foundational Tribes
   • 2.1. The Ansar (The Helpers)
   • 2.2. The Muhajirun (The Emigrants)
   • 2.3. Other Early inhabitants
3. The New Descents: The Evolving Social Fabric
   • 3.1. Arab Tribal Migrations
   • 3.2. Non-Arab Communities (Mawali)
4. A Comparative Summary: Old vs. New

1. Understanding the Source: Al-Ansari’s Masterpiece

Our primary source for understanding Madinah lineages and descents is the book by the 18th-century scholar Abdul Rahman al-Ansari. His work is the most critical reference for the genealogies of Madinah’s families. He aimed to:

• Preserve lineages from being lost due to time and intermingling.
• Correct common errors in genealogy made by earlier historians.
• Document the incredible diversity of the city’s population, reflecting its status as a global Islamic capital.

He relied heavily on oral histories, interviews with elders, and trusted narrators, making his work a direct documentary record.

2. The Ancient Lineages: Madinah’s Foundational Tribes

These are the tribes and origins that formed the core of Madinan society since the Prophet’s Hijra (migration). Al-Ansari cites these as the oldest and most established layer of Madinah lineages and descents.

2.1. The Ansar (The Helpers)

The Ansar were the original inhabitants of Yathrib (pre-Islamic Madinah). They belonged to the mighty Al-Azd Qahtani tribe and were the backbone of the early Madinan society who supported the Prophet (PBUH). Their main branches were:

• Al-Khazraj
• Al-Aws

2.2. The Muhajirun (The Emigrants)

This group comprised those who migrated from Mecca to Madinah with the Prophet (PBUH) or after. They belonged to the Quraysh tribe (Adnani) and included:

• Banu Hashim: The family of the Prophet (PBUH), also known as the Ashraf (Nobles).
• Other Qurayshi clans: Such as Banu Umayyah, Banu Taim, Banu Adi, and Banu Zuhrah.

2.3. Other Early Inhabitants

• Jewish Tribes: Including Banu Qaynuqa, Banu Nadir, and Banu Qurayzah. They were expelled after the Battle of Khaybar and during Caliph Umar’s reign, leaving no continuous lineage in the city.
• Freed Slaves (Mawali): Such as Zayd ibn Harithah (the beloved companion of the Prophet), and others who were freed and integrated into society, affiliating themselves with their former masters’ tribes.

3. The New Descents: The Evolving Social Fabric

This category encompasses families who entered and settled in Madinah over the centuries, especially after the Islamic conquests. Al-Ansari documented these Madinah lineages and descents in great detail.

3.1. Arab Tribal Migrations

Al-Ansari traces the origins of these families to their original tribes in Najd, Hejaz, and beyond.

• Harb Tribe: One of the largest tribes that settled in the outskirts and suburbs of Madinah.
• Juhaynah Tribe: Another ancient and powerful tribe in the Madinah region.
• Shammar Tribe: A major Najdi tribe, some of whose branches settled in Madinah.
• Utaybah Tribe: Similarly, some clans of this tribe established themselves in the city.
• Other Tribes: Including various Sayyid and Sharif families (descendants of Hasan and Husayn) who came from different regions, and tribes from ‘Asir and Yemen.

3.2. Non-Arab Communities (Mawali)

This reflects Madinah’s global character as a center of Islamic civilization, attracting Muslims of all ethnicities.

• North Africans (Magharibah): They came from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia for Hajj and scholarship, settling in the famous “Haret al-Magharibah” (The North African Quarter). A key resource on Islamic history in North Africa can be found here (dofollow link).
• Turks and Rum: They arrived with the Ottoman Empire as soldiers, administrators, and scholars.
• Kurds: They came from Kurdistan for Jihad or knowledge and settled.
• Ajams (Persians): They arrived from Iran for trade and scholarship.
• South and Southeast Asians: From the Indian subcontinent and surrounding areas.
• Sudanis (Africans): They came as pilgrims or formerly as enslaved people; after emancipation, they became a core part of society. Some were known as “Aghawat” (servants of the Haram).

4. A Comparative Summary: Old vs. New