Hussein said that he was the 40th direct descendant of Muhammad through the Hashemite dynasty, which ruled Mecca for over 700 years--until its 1925 conquest by the House of Saud--and has ruled Jordan since 1921.
Hussein said that he was the the 40th direct descendant of Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah, whose husband was Ali, the fourth caliph. The Hashemites ruled Mecca for over 700 years--until its 1925 conquest by the House of Saud--and has ruled Jordan since 1921.