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The name Qureshi, also known as Quraysh, Quraishi , Qurayshi and various other spellings, originates from the Arabic name قريشي, denoting membership in the esteemed Quraish tribe of Mecca, in the Hejaz, present day Saudi Arabia. The prophet Muhammad was also born into the Qureshi tribe of Mecca.

Origins

Surah Quraysh, the 106th chapter 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 the Prophet 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 in Makkah, 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. The Prophet Muhammad himself belonged to the Quraysh tribe, making it highly significant in Islamic 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, the Hajj, which attracted tribes from across Arabia. The tribe’s most famous member, the Prophet 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 of Islam in India, accompanied by many Arabs who subsequently settled in the region. Islam arrived in the inland of Indian subcontinent in the 7th century when the Arabs conquered Sindh. 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 in Punjab and North India in the 12th century via the Ghaznavids and Ghurids conquest and has since become a part of India's religious 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 the Quraysh, 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 of Mecca and the Quraysh tribe.

Families with the legit surname Qureshi in the Indian subcontinent are descendants of Migrant Arab from Quraish tribe of Mecca.^[1]

Many eminent Islamic scholars, such as Shah Rukan-e-Alam and Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, as well as all four Caliphs of Islam, along with the leaders of the Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates, are proud descendants of the noble Quraysh tribe."

The Qureshi family's migration

The Qureshi family, bearing the noble heritage of the Quraish tribe, embarked on a significant 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 the Muslim Caliphate, was driven by a profound purpose: to spread the teachings of Islam to the Hindu and non-Muslim populations of the region.

The Quraysh tribe has a long history in Makkah that traces back to the lineage of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). According to Islamic tradition, Prophet Ibrahim, along with his son Ismail (Ishmael), settled in the valley of Makkah around 2000 BCE. Prophet 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 the Prophet 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.

The Qureshi legacy

This distinguished lineage traces back to the descendants of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), upon whom Allah bestowed a unique and enduring blessing.

The first reference to this noble lineage is found in the Holy Qur'an, where Prophet Ibrahim, in his profound connection with Allah, inquired about the future of his descendants. Allah’s response, as recorded in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:124), is a testament to the enduring leadership within the progeny of Ibrahim:

˹Remember˺ when Abraham was tested by his Lord with ˹certain˺ commandments, which he fulfilled. Allah said, 'I will certainly make you into a role model for the people'. Abraham asked, 'What about my offspring?' Allah replied, 'My covenant is not extended to the wrongdoers'.

This divine decree is further corroborated by the most authentic collections of Hadith. In Sahih al-Bukhari (7140, Book 93, Hadith 4) and Sahih Muslim (1820), the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the significance of the Quraish, stating:

This matter (caliphate) will remain with the Quraish even if only two of them were still existing.

The Caliphate will remain among the Quraish even if only two persons are left (on the earth).

The Quraish's distinction is further illuminated in Surah Al-Imran (3:33), where Allah declares His favor upon specific families, including that of Ibrahim:

Indeed, Allah chose Adam, Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of Imran above all people.

Despite these clear and divine affirmations, there are those, particularly in South Asia, who seek to diminish the Quraish's rightful status, often out of a desire to elevate themselves as leaders. Yet, what Allah has ordained cannot be undone. The honor and blessings bestowed upon the Quraish lineage remain unassailable, a testament to their enduring significance in Islamic history and beyond.

References

^ Ahmad, Zarin (2018-06-14). Delhi's Meatscapes: Muslim Butchers in a Transforming Mega-City. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-909538-4.

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