1834 –1868 Shaikh Muhammad bin Khalifa al-Khalifa, Al-Shoyoukh and Chief of Bahrain and Al-Zubarrah. b. 1813, third son of Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, Al-Shoyoukh and Joint Chief of Bahrain and Al-Zubarrah, by his wife, a daughter of Shaikh Khalifa bin Fadel al-Fadel. Succeeded his father as Joint Chief with his grand uncle ‘Abdu’llah, 31st May 1834. Expelled by his uncle, June 1842. Became sole chief after expelling him with Wahhabi aid, April 1843. Deposed 6th September 1868 and deported to Bombay 1869-1877, then to Aden 1877-1887, before eventually being released and allowed to settle in the Hijaz as a private citizen. m. (first) Shaikha Thagba bint Ahmad al-Khalifa, daughter of his uncle, Shaikh Ahmad bin Salman al-Khalifa. m. (second) Shaikha Aisha bint Hasan al-Khalifa, daughter of his uncle, Shaikh Hasan bin ‘Abdu’llah al-Khalifa. m. (third) Shaikha Aisha bint Salman al-Khalifa, daughter of his uncle, Shaikh Salman bin Ahmad al-Khalifa, Al-Shoyoukh and Joint Chief of Bahrain and Al-Zubarrah. m. (fourth) Shaikha Sara bint Mubarak al-Khalifa, daughter of Shaikh Mubarak bin ‘Abdu’llah al-Khalifa, sometime Governor of Damman. m. (fifth) Miriam al-Sada. m. (sixth) Miriam al-Sadun. m. (seventh) Aisha al-Jalhama. m. (eighth) Hussa, daughter of Rashid al-Jalhama. m. (ninth) Latifa, daughter of Sulaiman al-Zaid. m. (tenth) Sabika, elder daughter of ‘Abdu’l-Aziz al-Zaid. m. (eleventh) Fatima (d.s.p.), younger daughter of ‘Abdu’l-Aziz al-Zaid. m. (twelfth) Qumsha. He d. at Mecca, 1890, having had issue, twenty-four sons and several daughters, including:
1) Shaikh Khalifa bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. b. 1836 (s/o Shaikha Thagba). He d. 1893, having had issue, seven sons:
(5) Shaikh Ibrahim bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. He had issue, a son:
(a) Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa. b. at Rifa’a, 24th July 1979. Held under extrajudicial detention without charge at Guantanamo Bay 2001-2005.
(6) Shaikh Rashid bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. He had issue, a son:
(a) Shaikh Muhammad bin Rashid al-Khalifa.
c) Shaikh Ahmad bin Khalifa al-Khalifa. b. 1870. He d. 1903, having had issue, one son:
i) Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmad al-Khalifa. b. 1903. He d.s.p.m.
d) Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa al-Khalifa. b. 1877. He d.s.p.
e) Shaikh Duaij bin Khalifa al-Khalifa. b. 1880. He had issue, two sons:
i) Shaikh Khalifa bin Duaij al-Khalifa. He had issue, four sons:
(1) Shaikh Duaij bin Khalifa bin Duaij al-Khalifa. m. Shaikha Sheikha bint ‘Abdu’llah al-Khalifa, elder daughter of H.E. Shaikh ‘Abdu’llah bin Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, sometime Judge of the High Court and Dir Ruling Family Council, by his wife, Shaikha Aisha bint Ahmad al-Khalifa, daughter of Shaikh Ahmad al-Khalifa. He had issue, two sons and three daughters:
(b) Shaikh Muhammad bin Duaij al-Khalifa. m. Shaikha Sheikha al-Khalifa. He has issue, one daughter:
(i) Shaikha Aisha bint Muhammad al-Khalifa.
(a) Shaikha Hind bint Duaij al-Khalifa.
(b) Shaikha Aisha bint Duaij al-Khalifa.
(c) Shaikha Latifa bint Duaij al-Khalifa.
(2) Shaikh Muhammad bin Khalifa bin Duaij al-Khalifa.
(3) (3) H.E. Dr Shaikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Duaij al-Khalifa. b. at Manama, 1958, educ. Univ of Bahrain (BA, MA), Manama, and Univ of Essex (PhD 1988), Colchester, Essex. Lecturer of Modern History Univ of Bahrain 1981-1988, Assist Professor of History 1988-1992, Registrar & Dir of the Admissions & Registration Dept 1992-1995, Vice-Presdt Financial & Admin Affairs 1995-2000, Academic Affairs & Scientific Research 2000-2002, Hon Presdt for Bahrain of Arab Youth Council for Integrated Development in Egypt 2016-2023. Presdt Assoc of Academics 2001. Chair Shura Council Foreign Affairs, Defense & National Security Cttee 2002-2006 & 2010-2014, King Hamad Centre for Peaceful Co-Existence 2018-2023, and Brd of Trustees Al-Shahba Univ (Syria) 2005. Vice-Chair & Exec Dir ‘Isa Cultural Centre 2015-2023, Brd of Trustees of Thought Storm Alliance 2016-2023, and Arab Centre for Youth Empowerment (Jordan) 2019-2023. Dir Inst of Bankers (Bahrain) 2001, Bahrain Education & Training Quality Authority 2016-2023. Hon Mbr Regional Network for Social Responsibility 2018-2023, and Bahrain Soc for Tolerance & Coexistence of Religions 2016-2023. Mbr Economic & Financial Studies Cttee of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry 1988-1993, Union of Arab Historians (Egypt) 1991-2023, National Cttee for Evaluation & Equivalence of Certificates 1992-1998, Brd of Hearing & Speech Development Centre 1993-1994, National Council for Culture, Arts & Letters 1997-2001, Shura Council of Bahrain 2002-2014, Cttee of Arab Wise Men on Arms Control and Nuclear Non-Proliferation Issues 2016-2023, Brd of Trustees of Shaikh ‘Isa Library 2003-2008, Inst of Arab Entrepreneurs and Innovators (Jordan) 2005, International Academic Affairs Cttee at Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies 2015-2023, etc. m. Shaikha Maie bint Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Khalifa, Chief of Protocol for Shaikha Sabeeka, daughter of Shaikh Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Khalifa al-Khalifa, by his wife, Shaikha Sheikha bint Muhammad al-Khalifa, daughter of Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Isa al-Khalifa al-Haj, sometime Chair Manama Municipality. He d. 27th January 2023, having had issue, two sons and one daughter:
(a) Shaikh Ahmad bin Khalid al-Khalifa.
(b) Shaikh Khalifa bin Khalid al-Khalifa.
(a) Shaikha Munira bint Khalid al-Khalifa.
(4) Shaikh Ahmad bin Khalifa bin Duaij al-Khalifa.
(5) Shaikh Hamad bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa. He has issue:
(a) Shaikha Najla bint Hamad bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa.
(6) Shaikh Rashid bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa.
iv) Shaikh ‘Abdu’llah bin Muhammad al-Khalifa.
d) Shaikh Hasan bin ‘Ali al-Khalifa. b. 1896. He had issue, four sons:
i) Shaikh ‘Abdu’l-Aziz bin Hasan al-Khalifa. He had issue, a son:
(1) Shaikh Ahmad bin ‘Abdu’l-Aziz al-Khalifa.
ii) Shaikh Muhammad bin Hasan al-Khalifa. He had issue, two sons:
(1) Shaikh ‘Abdu’l-Aziz bin Muhammad al-Khalifa.
(2) Shaikh Hasan bin Muhammad al-Khalifa.
iii) Shaikh Ahmad bin Hasan al-Khalifa.
iv) Shaikh Khalifa bin Hasan al-Khalifa.
a) Shaikha Aisha bint ‘Ali al-Khalifa. m. Shaikh ‘Isa bin Ahmad al-Khalifa. She had issue, two sons and two daughters.
5) Shaikh Jabir bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. b. 1855. He d. 1st June 1910, having had issue, a son:
a) Shaikh Ibrahim bin Jabir al-Khalifa.
6) Shaikh Salman bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. He d.s.p. before 1882, aged twenty years.
7) Shaikh Hamad bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. b. 1860 (s/o Miriam al-Sadun). m. a daughter of his uncle, Shaikh Salman bin Duaij al-Khalifa. He d. at Jisra, 26th January 1930, having had issue, four sons and one daughter:
a) Shaikh Khalifa bin Hamad al-Khalifa. b. 1885. He had issue, three sons:
i) Shaikh Muhammad bin Khalifa al-Khalifa. b. 1902. m. Shaikha Aisha bint Ahmad al-Khalifa. He had issue, three sons:
(1) Shaikh ‘Abdu’llah bin Muhammad bin Khalifa al-Khalifa. He had issue, three sons:
(b) Shaikh Imama? bin ‘Abdu’llah bin Muhammad al-Khalifa.
(c) Shaikh Ahmad bin ‘Abdu’llah bin Muhammad al-Khalifa.
(2) Shaikh Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Khalifa al-Khalifa. b. 1934 (s/o Aisha). Employed with the Interior Ministry. m. Shaikha Sheikha bint Muhammad al-Khalifa, daughter of Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Isa al-Khalifa al-Haj, sometime Chair Manama Municipality, by his wife, Aisha bint ‘Ali al-Zayed. He d. at Bahrain, 1st September 1991, having had issue, three sons and three daughters:
(a) Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. b. 1957. He d. 29th December 2005.
(b) Shaikh ‘Abdu’llah bin Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. b. 18th December 1958. He had issue:
(i) Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Abdu’llah al-Khalifa.
(c) H.E. Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. b. 24th April 1960, educ. Islamic Coll, Amman, Jordan, and St Edward’s Univ, Texas, USA (BSc 1984). Joined Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1985, Third Sec Washington DC 1985-1994, Chief Liaison Officer for Maritime Delimitation & Territorial Disputes between Bahrain & Qatar 1995-2000, Dir of PR & Information to the Crown Prince 2000-2001, Ambassador at the Court of St James’s 2001-2005 (conc to the Netherlands, Ireland, Norway & Sweden), Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2005. Rcvd: the Order of Bahrain 2nd class (May 2001). m. Shaikha Wesal bint Muhammad al-Khalifa, Presdt of the Jusoor Programme, Mbr Supreme Council for Women, etc. He has issue, two sons:
(i) Shaikh Salman bin Khalid al-Khalifa.
(ii) Shaikh Nasir bin Khalid al-Khalifa.
(a) Shaikha Munira bint Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. Mbr High Cttee for the Bahrain International Garden Show. Presdt Bahrain Garden Club. m. Shaikh Rashid bin ‘Abdu’l-Rahman al-Khalifa, son of Shaikh ‘Abdu’l-Rahman bin Muhammad al-Khalifa, by his wife, Shaikha Haya bint ‘Ali al-Khalifa, younger daughter of his paternal uncle, Shaikh ‘Ali bin ‘Abdu’llah al-Khalifa. He had issue, three sons and a daughter – see below.
(b) Shaikha Maie bint Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. Chief of Protocol for Shaikha Sabeeka. m. Dr Shaikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Duaij al-Khalifa, sometime Mbr Shura Council, son of Shaikh Khalifa bin Duaij al-Khalifa. She had issue, two sons and one daughter – see above.
(3) Shaikh Khalifa bin Muhammad bin Khalifa al-Khalifa (s/o Aisha). m. Shaikha Sheikha bint ‘Abdu’llah al-Khalifa. He d. 4th February 1999, having had issue, two sons and a daughter:
(a) Shaikh Muhammad bin Khalifa al-Khalifa.
(b) Shaikh ‘Ali bin Khalifa al-Khalifa.
(c) Shaikha Mashael bint Khalifa al-Khalifa. m. Shaikh Hamud bin Khalifa al-Khalifa. She has issue, one son.
ii) Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa al-Khalifa. He had issue, three sons:
(1) Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa.
(2) Shaikh Khalid bin Salman al-Khalifa.
(3) Shaikh Muhammad bin Salman al-Khalifa.
iii) Shaikh ‘Ali bin Khalifa al-Khalifa. He had issue, three sons:
(1) Shaikh Khalifa bin ‘Ali al-Khalifa.
(2) Shaikh Khalid bin ‘Ali al-Khalifa.
(3) Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Ali al-Khalifa.
b) Shaikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa. b. 1904.
c) Shaikh ‘Abdu’llah bin Hamad al-Khalifa. b. 1924. m. Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak al-Nuaimi. He d. at Bahrain, 28th February 2009, having had issue, five sons and six daughters:
i) Shaikh Khalifa bin ‘Abdu’llah Al-Khalifa. m. (first) Shaikha Lulwa bint Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Khalifa, daughter ofShaikh Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Khalifa al-Khalifa, by his wife, Shaikha Sheikha bint Muhammad al-Khalifa, daughter of Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Isa al-Khalifa al-Haj, sometime Chair Manama Municipality. m. (second) ... He had issue, four sons and three daughters:
iv) Shaikha Haya bint ‘Abdu’llah al-Khalifa. m. Yousuf bin ‘Ali Al-Rushaid Al-Bader, from Kuwait, son of ‘Ali Al-Rushaid Al-Bader, by his wife, Munira Mashari. She had issue, two sons and two daughters.
v) Shaikha Hessa bint ‘Abdu’llah al-Khalifa. m. Shaikh ‘Abdu’llah bin ‘Ali al-Khalifa. She had issue, one son and three daughters.
vi) Shaikha Lulwa bint ‘Abdu’llah al-Khalifa.
d) Shaikh Jabir bin Hamad al-Khalifa. He had issue, six sons:
a) A daughter. m. Shaikh ‘Ali bin Ahmad al-Khalifa, son of Shaikh Ahmad bin ‘Ali al-Khalifa.
8) Shaikh ‘Abdu’llah bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. b. 1861 (s/o Miriam al-Sada). He d. 1893, having had issue, four sons:
a) Shaikh Ahmad bin ‘Abdu’llah al-Khalifa. b. 1881.
b) Shaikh Salman bin ‘Abdu’llah al-Khalifa. b. 1887.
c) Shaikh ‘Abdu’llah bin ‘Abdu’llah al-Khalifa. b. 1896. He had issue, one son:
i) Shaikh Khalifa bin ‘Abdu’llah al-Khalifa. He had issue, two sons:
(1) Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa al-Khalifa.
(2) Shaikh Muhammad bin Khalifa al-Khalifa. He had issue.
d) Shaikh Yusuf bin ‘Abdu’llah al-Khalifa. b. 1898.
9) Shaikh Sultan bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. b. 1861 (s/o Latifa bint Sulaiman al-Zaid). He d.s.p.
10) Shaikh Rashid bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. b. 1861 (s/o Shaikha Sara). Presdt Majlis al-’Urfi. He d. 18th August 1947, having had issue, one son and a daughter:
a) Shaikh Muhammad bin Rashid al-Khalifa. He d.s.p.m.
a) A daughter. m. Shaikh Hamad bin ‘Isa al-Khalifa.
11) Shaikh Saqar bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. b. 1862. He had issue, one son:
a) Shaikh Muhammad bin Saqar al-Khalifa. He had issue, three sons:
i) Shaikh Khalifa bin Muhammad al-Khalifa.
ii) Shaikh Saqar bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. He had issue, one son:
(1) Shaikh ‘Abdu’l-Rahman bin Saqar al-Khalifa.
iii) Shaikh ‘Abdu’l-Rahman bin Muhammad al-Khalifa.
12) Shaikh Faris bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. b. 1862 (s/o Qumsha). m. a sister of Shaikh Saqar bin ‘Ali bin Khalifa al-Khalifa. He had issue, three sons:
b) Shaikh Muhammad bin Faris al-Khalifa. b. at Muharraq, 1895. A renowned composer and exponent of sut music who recorded over 25 records. Principal Singer at Bahrain Broadcasting Station 1939-1945. He d. 1947.
c) Shaikh Saqar bin Faris al-Khalifa. b. at Muharraq, 1902.
13) Shaikh Ibrahim bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. He d.s.p. before 1865.
14) Shaikh ‘Abdu’l-Aziz bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. b. 1864 (s/o Shaikha Sara). He had issue, two sons:
a) Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Abdu’l-Aziz al-Khalifa. He had issue, two sons:
i) Shaikh ‘Abdu’l-Aziz bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. He had issue, four sons:
(1) Shaikh Ibrahim bin ‘Abdu’l-Aziz al-Khalifa.
(2) Shaikh Jabir bin ‘Abdu’l-Aziz al-Khalifa.
(3) Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Abdu’l-Aziz al-Khalifa.
(4) Shaikh Khalifa bin ‘Abdu’l-Aziz al-Khalifa.
ii) Shaikh ‘Ali bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. He had issue, three sons:
(1) Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Ali al-Khalifa.
(2) Shaikh ‘Abdu’llah bin ‘Ali al-Khalifa.
(3) Shaikh Hamad bin ‘Ali al-Khalifa.
b) Shaikh Ahmad bin ‘Abdu’l-Aziz al-Khalifa.
15) Shaikh Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. He d.s.p. before 1882, aged 17 years.
16) Shaikh Ibrahim bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. b. at Muharraq, 1850 (s/o Aisha al-Jalhama), educ. privately in the Hijaz. Poet and man of letters, learned in jurisprudence, forensic science, history, genealogy, Arabic grammar and the Koran. He travelled widely in Arabia, Iraq, India, and the East African coast. Vice-Chair Brd of Education 1919. He d. at Bahrain, 14th June 1933, having had issue, five sons:
a) Shaikh Nasir bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa. b. 1885. He had issue, one son:
i) Shaikh Majid bin Nasir al-Khalifa. He had issue, three sons:
(2) Shaikh Mundhir (or Hashar) bin Majid al-Khalifa.
(3) Shaikh Nasir bin Majid al-Khalifa.
b) Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa. b. 1892. He had issue, four sons:
i) Shaikh Yusuf bin Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa. He had issue, one son:
(1) Shaikh Muhammad bin Yusuf al-Khalifa. He had issue, three sons:
(a) Shaikh ‘Ali bin Muhammad al-Khalifa.
(b) Shaikh ‘Abdu’llah bin Muhammad al-Khalifa.
(c) Shaikh Khalid bin Muhammad al-Khalifa.
ii) Shaikh Salman bin Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa.
iii) Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa.
iv) Shaikh Ibrahim bin Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa.
c) Shaikh Muhammad bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa. b. 1898. He had issue, two sons:
i) Shaikh Khalifa bin Muhammad bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa.
ii) Shaikh Salman bin Muhammad bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa.
i) H.E. Shaikha Mai bint Muhammad bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa, educ. Sheffield Univ (MA). Assist Under-Sec for Culture & National Heritage in the Ministry of Information 2002-2004 & 2005-2008, Minister for Culture & Information since 2008. Chair Brd of Trustees Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Centre for Culture & Research since 2002. Author of “100 Years of Education in Bahrain, the Early Years of Establishment” (1999), “Charles Belgrave: Biography and Diary” (2000), “Abdullah Bin Ahmad, Restless Fighter” (2002). Rcvd: GC of the Sharifian Order of Alawi of Morocco (12.5.2010).
d) Shaikh ‘Abdu’llah bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa. b. 1898. He had issue, five sons:
i) Shaikh Ibrahim bin ‘Abdu’llah bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa. He had issue, one son:
ii) Shaikh Jabir bin ‘Abdu’llah bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa.
iii) Shaikh ‘Abdu’l-Rahman bin ‘Abdu’llah bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa.
iv) Shaikh Ahmad bin ‘Abdu’llah bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa. He had issue, three sons:
(1) Shaikh Salman bin Ahmad al-Khalifa.
(2) Shaikh Muhammad bin Ahmad al-Khalifa.
(3) Shaikh Rashid bin Ahmad al-Khalifa.
v) Shaikh ‘Ali bin ‘Abdu’llah bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa. He had issue, one son:
(1) Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Ali al-Khalifa.
e) Shaikh Ahmad bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa. b. 1901. He d.s.p.
17) Shaikh ‘Abdu’l-Rahman bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. b. 1866. He d.s.p.
18) Shaikh Rashid bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. He d.s.p.
19) Shaikh ‘Ali bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. He d.s.p.
20) Shaikh Salman bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. He d.s.p.
21) Shaikh Ibrahim bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. He d.s.p.
22) Shaikh ‘Abdu’llah bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. He d.s.p.
23) Shaikh Hasan bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. He d.s.p.
24) Shaikh Rashid bin Muhammad al-Khalifa. He d.s.p.
1) Shaikha Aisha bint Muhammad al-Khalifa (d/o Aisha al-Jalhama). m. H.H. Shaikh ‘Isa I bin ‘Ali al-Khalifa, Ruler of Bahrain, KCIE, CSI (b. 1827; d. at Manama, 9th December 1932, bur. Al-Rifa’a Cemetery), eldest son of Shaikh ‘Ali bin Khalifa al-Khalifa, Al-Shoyoukh and Joint Chief of Bahrain and Al-Zubarrah. She d. at Muharraq, 26th December 1943, having had issue – see below.
2) Shaikha Amina bint Muhammad al-Khalifa (d/o Aisha al-Jalhama).
3) Shaikha Sharifa bint Muhammad al-Khalifa (d/o Sabika al-Zaid).
I would be grateful to hear from anyone who may have changes, corrections or additions to contribute. If you do, please be kind enough to send me an e-mail using the contact details at: