Sayyidah

Sayyidah is the feminine form of the Arabic honorific Sayyid, whose root meaning is “lord” or “master.” In everyday Arabic, Sayyidah (also spelled Sayyida or Seyyedeh) functions as a respectful title for a woman, comparable to “lady” or “Mrs.”

In some Islamic traditions, Sayyidah also designates a woman who is believed to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, usually through his daughter Fatimah and son-in-law Ali, and thence through Hasan or Husayn. In these genealogical contexts, the corresponding male title is Sayyid; the female form is Sayyidah or Sayyida. The use and prestige of Sayyids and Sayyidas vary by community, and social status is not uniform across regions or groups. Some communities maintain detailed genealogical records and accord certain honors or roles to those who are believed to be descended from the Prophet, while others use the term primarily as a respectful form of address without implying lineage.

Sayyidah can also appear as a given name or surname in various cultures, reflecting its status as a culturally significant honorific. Overall, the term carries both ordinary social utility as a polite address and, in some contexts, specific claims of noble lineage rooted in Islamic tradition.