Descendants of Ali, cousin of Muhammad
This article is about those who claim descent from Ali ibn Abi Talib. For the Levantine syncretistic sect, see
Alawites. For the Turkish mystic sect, see
Alevis. For the Moroccan royal family, see
'Alawi dynasty. For the former ruling dynasty of Egypt and Sudan, see
Muhammad Ali dynasty.
The Alids are those who claim descent from Ali ibn Abi Talib (Arabic: عَلِيّ بْن أَبِي طَالِب; c. 600–661 CE), the fourth Rashidun caliph (r. 656–661) and the first imam in Shia Islam. Ali was also the cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The main branches are the Hasanids and Husaynids, named after Hasan and Husayn, the eldest sons of Ali from his marriage to Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad. As the progeny of Muhammad, they are revered by all Muslims. The Alids have led various movements in Islam, and a line of twelve Alids are the imams in Twelver Shia, the largest Shia branch.