The Sharifate of Mecca (Arabic: شرافة مكة‎ Sharāfa Makka) or Emirate of Mecca[1] was a state, non-sovereign for much of its existence, ruled by the Sharifs of Mecca. A sharif is a descendant of Hasan ibn Ali, Muhammad's grandson.[2] In Western sources, the prince of Mecca was known as Grand Sherif, but Arabs have always used the appellation "Emir".[3]