nasab

Nasab (Arabic: نسب) is a term used in Arab and Islamic contexts to denote genealogical descent or lineage. It refers to the blood relationships and family ties that connect individuals to ancestors, often emphasizing paternal ancestry but capable of encompassing broader kinship networks when specified. Nasab is a foundational concept for identifying lineage, tribal affiliations, and social status within communities that value ancestry.

In practice, nasab influences legal and social matters. It helps establish mahram relationships (who may marry whom) and can affect inheritance rights, remarriage rules, and eligibility for certain honors or titles. In addition to legal implications, nasab shapes social identity, clan or tribe membership, and arranged alliances through marriage among families with shared lineages.

Historically, nasab has been central to genealogical and biographical scholarship in the Arab world. Scholars compiled nasab literature to record pedigrees of tribes, noble families, poets, and rulers, creating genealogies that traced lineages back to revered ancestors. These records aided in constructing social networks, legitimating leadership, and preserving cultural memory.

Modern usage varies by region. In many Arab countries, lineage remains a component of personal identity and may be reflected in naming practices and civil records. While the emphasis on nasab is context-dependent, it continues to interact with contemporary notions of citizenship, inheritance, and marriage law.

See also: genealogy, ancestry, lineage, mahram, Arab tribes.