The Alids are the dynasties descended from Ali ibn Abi Talib, son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad (see Family tree of Muhammad and Family tree of Husayn ibn Ali). Shia Muslims consider him the First Imam appointed by Muhammad and the first rightful caliph.
Primarily Sunnis in the Arab world reserve the term sharif or "sherif" for descendants of Hasan ibn Ali, while sayyid is used for descendants of Husayn ibn Ali. Both Hasan and Husayn are grandchildren of Prophet Muhammad, through the marriage of his cousin Ali and his daughter Fatima. However ever since the post-Hashemite era began, the term sayyid has been used to denote descendants from both Hasan and Husayn. Arab Shiites use the terms sayyid and habib to denote descendants from both Hasan and Husayn; see also ashraf.
To try to resolve the confusion surrounding the descendants of Muhammad, the Ottoman Caliphs during the 19th Century C.E. attempted to replicate the Almanach de Gotha (the tome listing the Noble houses of Europe) to show known and verifiable lines of descent. Although not 100% complete in its scope (some lines might have been excluded due to lack of proof, although no false lines are included) the resulting "Kitab al-Ashraf" (Book of the Sharifs), kept at the Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul is one of the best sources of evidence of descent from Muhammad.
Look, simply said, I'm a pioneer of my area
Wrote my first line on some paper, I thought I'd share it witcha
I got a mic in 10th grade 'cause of a homie
Who didn't need it, I needed it 'cause I ain't have no money
To buy a mic of my own, I wasn't rich like the other kids
But my mama tried, she ain't doubt me like the others did
Made an account on MySpace so I can publicly
Share my mentality with others, all they did was fuck wit me
Lies on top of lies, all these comments used to fuck wit me
But I had someone at all times, I was luckily
Able to make a change in my game, I switched my flow up
Spit my first sick verse, felt like I had thrown up
I had the voice of a boy, I'm finally grown up
Got my name around but I don't feel like I am known enough
Glorification's my dedication in progress
Tryna be remembered, damn it's a long process
I hope my music will help me become a better man
'Cause there's so many things about me I don't understand
& if you think you know me then you got the upper hand
Cryin' to my grandma reachin' out for an elder's hand
I swear I was depressed when she left us
But God has kept me strong since she left, I'm glad He blessed us
There's only one thing that I regret
Not going to say good bye in the hospital 'fore she left
Every time I take step pass her door, I think see her
Maybe that's my conscious tellin' me that I now need her
However I'm happy that God freed her
I know grandpa was smilin' the moment that he had seen her
I know they're up in heaven & they're happy now
Life just kinda hit me really hard wit a crappy smile
How many people can tell you that they enjoy life?