Banu Hashim is a clan in the Quraish tribe. Muhammad was a member of this clan, his great-grandfather was Hashim for who the clan is named. Members of this clan are also called Hashemites.
The Banu Hashim were one of the most important clans in the Quraish tribe at the time of Muhammad's birth, but it was not one of the richest. Its importance came from its role as the maintaners of the kaba. During Muhammad's early prophethood, his uncle, Abu Talib was head of the clan, and he subsequently faced heavy pressure from the rest of the Quraishi tribe to keep his nephew in check. Despite this, his uncle never stopped supporting Muhammad, although he never openly accepted Islam.
