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The nameQureshi, also known asQuraysh,Quraishi, Qurayshi and various other spellings, originates from the Arabic nameقريشي, denoting membership in the esteemed Quraish tribe ofMecca, in theHejaz, present daySaudi Arabia. The prophetMuhammad was also born into the Qureshi tribe of Mecca.
The Quraysh tribe, historically the ruling tribe of Makkah and the tribe of Muhammad, still exists today, though its members are spread across various countries.
1. Saudi Arabia – Many descendants of the Quraysh remain in Makkah, Madinah, and other parts of the Kingdom, often holding positions of religious or social significance. Some belong to prominent families such as the Hashemites (descendants of Muhammad).
2. Jordan – TheHashemite royal family of Jordan, which rules the country, traces its lineage back to the Quraysh tribe through Muhammad’s great-grandfather, Hashim ibn Abd Manaf.[1]
3. Iraq – Some descendants of the Quraysh settled in Iraq, especially in cities like Baghdad and Karbala.[2]
4. Yemen – Certain tribes in Yemen also claim descent from the Quraysh.[3]
5. Egypt, Syria, and North Africa – Over centuries, members of the Quraysh migrated to these regions and became part of the local Arab nobility.[4]
6. India, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia – Some Muslim families in these regions trace their lineage to Quraysh ancestors who migrated[5] due to trade or Islamic expansion.[6]
Surah Quraysh,[7] the106thchapter of the Quran, holds special significance for the Quraysh tribe. This brief yet profound chapter addresses the Quraysh tribe of Mecca. The surah highlights the blessings and security bestowed upon the Quraysh due to their connection with the sacred sanctuary and urges them to worship the Lord of the Kaaba, who granted them safety and prosperity. By mentioning the Quraysh by name, the surah emphasizes their historical and spiritual importance, underlining their responsibility to uphold the values and teachings of Islam. For those bearing the “Qureshi” name today, this chapter is a reminder of their ancestral ties to Muhammad’s tribe and their legacy as early defenders and supporters of the Islamic faith.
The Qureshi (or Quraishi) surname has its origins in the Quraysh tribe, based inMakkah, played a central role in pre-Islamic Arabia and was the ruling tribe of the city. They were known for their influence in trade, politics, and religious affairs, particularly as guardians of the Kaaba, the most sacred site in Islam. TheProphet Muhammad himself belonged to the Quraysh tribe, making it highly significant inIslamic history.
After the spread of Islam, many members of the Quraysh tribe migrated to different parts of the Muslim world. The Qureshi surname, adopted by descendants of the tribe, signifies this heritage and is common among Muslims in South Asia, the Middle East, and other regions. Those with the Qureshi surname are from the lineage linked back to the original Quraysh tribe of Makkah, maintaining a connection to a significant historical and religious lineage within Islam.
They were instrumental in developing Makkah as a major trading hub, due to its strategic location on ancient caravan routes. This influence also extended to their political power, as they maintained control over Makkah’s governance and managed the annual pilgrimage, theHajj, which attracted tribes from across Arabia. The tribe’s most famous member, theProphet Muhammad, was born in Makkah in the 6th century. His message of Islam, initially met with resistance by the Quraish, eventually transformed the city into the spiritual center of the Muslim world.
The Qureshis began arriving in the subcontinent with the advent ofIslam in India, accompanied by many Arabs who subsequently settled in the region. Islam arrived in the inland ofIndian subcontinent in the 7th century when the Arabs conqueredSindh. Subsequently,Mohammed bin Qasim, an Arab general, made his arrival in Sindh. It was through this region that a significant number of Qureshis found their way along with other Arab tribes, leading to their widespread presence from Sindh across the rest of the continent.
Later muslims arrived inPunjab andNorth India in the 12th century via theGhaznavids andGhurids conquest and has since become a part of India'sreligious and cultural heritage
Today, the surname “Qureshi” is carried by those who trace their lineage back to this significant tribe, particularly in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, South Asia and the Gulf region. It is a common surname among those who identify with the noble heritage of theQuraysh, reflecting a deep historical and religious connection. It is also recognized among Muslim communities worldwide, such as in the United Kingdom, the United States, and other parts of the world, reflecting its enduring connection to the heritage ofMecca and the Quraysh tribe.
Families with the surname Qureshi in theIndian subcontinent are descendants of Migrant Arab from Quraish tribe of Mecca.[8]
Many eminent Islamic scholars, such asShah Rukan-e-Alam andSheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, as well as all four Caliphs of Islam, along with the leaders of theUmayyad andAbbasid Caliphates, are descendants of the noble Quraysh tribe."
The Qureshi family, bearing the heritage of the Quraish tribe, embarked on a journey from the heart of Hijaz—present-day Saudi Arabia—to the Indian subcontinent and rest of the world. Their migration, during and after the era of theMuslim Caliphate, was driven by a purpose: to spread the teachings of Islam to theHindu and non-Muslim populations of the region.
The Quraysh tribe has a long history in Makkah that traces back to the lineage of Ibrahim (Abraham). According to Islamic tradition, Ibrahim, along with his son Ismail (Ishmael), settled in the valley of Makkah around 2000 BCE. Ibrahim and Ismail are credited with rebuilding the Kaaba, the sacred structure in Makkah, which became a central place of worship.
The Quraysh are descendants of Ismail, who, according to tradition, married into a local Arab tribe, giving rise to his descendants who would eventually form the Quraysh tribe. The Quraysh emerged as a distinct and influential tribe in Makkah several centuries later. Around the 5th century CE, Qusayy ibn Kilab, a Quraysh leader, unified the various clans of the Quraysh tribe, established their dominance over Makkah, and took charge of the Kaaba and its associated religious rites.
Guided by their deep faith and commitment to the message of Muhammad, the Qureshi family settled across various parts of the subcontinent. Their efforts not only contributed to the growth of Islam in the region but also left a lasting legacy of spiritual and cultural influence that continues to resonate through generations. Some live in Asia and named Qureshi mostly in Pakistani and Indian last name so they might have been related or not.
This distinguished lineage traces back to the descendants ofIbrahim (Abraham), upon whom Allah bestowed a unique and enduring blessing.
The first reference to this noble lineage is found in the Qur'an, where Ibrahim, in his profound connection with Allah, inquired about the future of his descendants. Allah’s response, as recorded inSurah Al-Baqarah (2:124), is a testament to the enduring leadership within the progeny of Ibrahim:
This divine decree is further corroborated by the most authentic collections of Hadith. InSahih al-Bukhari (7140, Book 93, Hadith 4) andSahih Muslim (1820), the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the significance of the Quraish, stating:
The Quraish's distinction is further illuminated inSurah Al-Imran (3:33), where Allah declares His favor upon specific families, including that of Ibrahim:
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