Sharīf (Arabic: شريف) is a traditional Arab
tribal title given to those who serve as the protector of the
tribe and all tribal assets, such as property, wells, and land.
In the Arab world (exception: Arab Shiites use the term 'sayyid'
to denote descendants from both Hassan and Husayn) 'sharif' is
usually reserved for descendants of Hassan while 'sayyid' is
used for descendants of Husayn. However ever since the
post-Hashemite era began, the term 'sayyid' has been used to
denote descendants from both Hassan and Husayn.
From 1201 till the Hejaz was conquered by Ibn Saud in 1925, this
family held the office of the Sharīf of Makkah, often also
carrying the title and office of King of Hejaz. Descendants now
rule the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the name being taken from
the Banu Hashim, the sub-tribe of the Quraysh that the Prophet
was from.
The word has no etymological connection with the English term
sheriff, which comes from the Old English word scīrgerefa,
meaning "shire-reeve," the local reeve (enforcement agent) of
the king in the shire (county).
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