Banu Abd Shams () refers to a clan within the Meccan tribe of Quraysh.

Ancestry

The clan names itself after Abd Shams ibn Abd Manaf, the son of Abd Manaf ibn Qusai and brother of Hashim ibn 'Abd Manaf, who was the great-grandfather of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He married Layla bint Asad ibn Abdal-Uzza, she bore four sons, Habib, Rabi'a, Abd Al-Uzza, Umayya and one daughter, Ruqayyah.

Banu Rabi'ah

Banu Rabi'ah was a branch that only had a few chiefs, they are:

1. Abu Hudhayfa Qays ibn 'Utba

2. Hind bint Utbah

3. Walid ibn Utbah

4. Utbah ibn Rabi'ah

5. Muhammad ibn Abi Hudhayfa

6. Shaybah ibn Rabi'ah

Notable members

The following were members.

  • Uthman, the third Muslim Caliph, son-in-law & close Companion (Sahabi) of Muhammad. Uthman was the direct member of Banu Abd-Shams tribe through Banu Umayya clan.
  • Arwa bint Kurayz, mother of caliph Uthman, female Companion & first cousin of Muhammad.
  • Utbah ibn Rabi'ah, chieftain
  • Abu al-Aas ibn al-Rabee, companion and son-in-law of Muhammad and Khadija. Husband of Zainab bint Muhammad.
  • Umamah bint Abi al-As, grand daughter of Muhammad and Khadija. Wife of fourth Muslim caliph and first shia Imam Ali
  • Walid ibn Utbah, son of Utbah
  • Hind bint Utbah, daughter of Utbah
  • Abu Hudhayfah ibn Utbah, son of Utbah and companion of Muhammad
  • Shaybah ibn Rabi'ah, brother of Utbah

Connection with the Umayyads

The clan acts as the parent clan to Banu Umayya (sub-clan) and Umayyad dynasty who ruled as the second Islamic Caliphate (661–750) established after Muhammad's death. Umayya was the son of Abd Shams ibn Abd Manaf.