Naqib al-ashraf ( نقيب الأشراف) was an important governmental post in various different Islamic states like Mamluk and Ottoman Sultanates. The holder of this post was a member of Sayyids or Ashraf class which denoted the rank of supervisor of descendants of Prince of all Prophets, Muhammad ﷺ . The descendants of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ were popularly known as Ashraf and throughout Islamic history. Both Shia and Sunni Sayyids in Ottoman state were accorded special privileges, including personal inviolability, certain tax exemptions and immunity from regular prosecution. In the event of a legal complaint against a member of the Ashraf, Naqib al-ashraf would prosecute and judge alleged offender. This was done to ensure their special place in Muslim society & thus maintain their socio-political privileges to honor them as they were considered a living link to the Noble Prophet ﷺ. Source: The Ottoman State and Descendants of the Prophet ﷺ in Anatolia and Balkans (1500-1700 AD) by the author Hülya Canbaka #prophetmuhammad #sayyid #Muhammad