Khuzayma
The grouping the genealogists cite at the shaʿb level when illustrating the tiers of descent.
- Tier illustrated
- Shaʿb — the widest
- Below it
- Kināna
Overview
Khuzayma is best known for its place in the standard teaching example: al-Qalqashandī illustrates the six tiers with a single descending chain, and Khuzayma is the shaʿb at its head, with Kināna below it as the *qabīla*. It is cited here for that reason — it is the clearest anchor for what the widest tier of the scheme means in practice.
On lineage
Branch lists and affiliations here are given as reported by the classical genealogists, who themselves disagree. Nothing on this page establishes any living family's descent: a shared name may reflect descent, alliance (ḥilf) or clientage (walāʾ), and the sources usually say which only when they know.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Khuzayma cited so often?
Because it heads the standard chain the genealogists use to illustrate the six tiers of descent, standing at the shaʿb level.
Sources
- القلقشندي، نهاية الأرب في معرفة أنساب العرب، 821هـ — باب طبقات النسب
This page is an educational, historical reference compiled from published sources. It is not an authority on lineage. Where sources differ, we report the difference without taking a position. Corrections are welcome via our contact page.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-28