Ayasrah

Ayasrah is a prominent Jordanian family based in Sakib, Jerash Governorate. The family traces its lineage to Banu Hashim, making them descendants of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

Etymology

The name Al-Ayasrah originates from Khirbet Aysra, a former village near Sakib that existed during the 16th century. Ottoman records list both Sakib and Aysra as part of the Ajlun subdistrict within the Ajlun district. In the 1538 Ottoman census, Sakib had 13 Muslim households, a mosque, and an imam, while Aysra was recorded as an independent village with 7 Muslim households, also with a mosque and an imam. Over time, Aysra merged with Sakib in the late 16th century and now forms its northern part.
The site was mentioned in 1816 by British traveler James Silk Buckingham, who recorded the name as "Ahheatherah." He noted the presence of large building stones and fine pottery fragments, suggesting the area's ancient origins. Similarly, Frederick Peake confirmed in A History of Trans-Jordan and Its Tribes that the Ayasrah family name derives from their original homeland, Khirbet Aysra, located near Sakib.

Historical Figures

Sheikh Shibli Al-Raja Al-Ayasrah (1874–1960)

Sheikh Shibli was a notable figure in the family's history. He was a member of the Jerash Local Government, established in 1920 following the fall of the Arab Government of Damascus after the Battle of Maysalun. This local government played a crucial role in maintaining security and governance in Transjordan.

Sheikh Raja Al-Mustafa Al-Ayasrah (1830–1916)

Sheikh Raja, Shibli’s father, served as the Mukhtar of Sakib from 1860 under an Ottoman decree. He remained in this position until his assassination in August 1916 by Ottoman military forces affiliated with the Young Turks, following his public support for the Arab Revolt in June 1916. He was killed in his Diwan in Sakib.