The Adnanites were a tribal confederation of the Ishmaelite Arabs, who trace their lineage back to Ishmael son of the Islamic prophet and patriarch Abraham and his wife Hagar through Adnan, who originate from the Hejaz. The Islamic prophet Muhammad belonged to the Quraysh tribe of the 'Adnanites'. According to the Arab tradition, The Adnanites are the Northern Arabs, unlike the Qahtanite Arabs of southern Arabia, who are descended from Qahtan, son of the Islamic prophet Hūdʿ.

Arab genealogical tradition

According to Arab genealogical tradition, the Adnanites are descended from Adnan whom in turn is descended from Ishmael. whereas the Qahtanites of Southern Arabia (Yemen) are the original, pure Arabs.

Modern historiography

According to some modern historians, the traditional distinction between Adnanites and Qahtanites lacks evidence and may have developed out of the later faction-fighting during the Umayyad period.