Al-'Ajman or al-'Ijman (Arabic: العجمان, singular "Ajmi") is a tribal confederation in northeastern Arabia, with members spread across Saudi Arabia, Qatar, U.A.E. and the Kuwait.
The word "Ajman" literally translates to "unarabic", stemming from a known attribute of a forefather who had a heavy tongue that made his speech less parsed in Banu Yam's standards. Yam is one of the most if not the most well versed Arabic tribe. Ajman and Almurrah and other various Yami tribes share a common stock proven by genetic studies. The genetic homogeneity is unrivaled by any other Arabian tribe. The tribe was pivotal in the history of the Arabian peninsula. It had contributed significantly to the rise and demise of the various Saudi states. This amongst others has resulted in a smear campaign that tried to undermine its ethnic purity. Amongst the smearing widely quoted was the writing of some political rivals, that claim a Persian descent. Though the Ajman being descendant of Persian Sassanid soldiers mixing with local Arab woman does have historical relevancy.
The 'Ajman were noted for their strength in battle and were important players in the wars and politics of eastern and central Arabia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Their most famous leader (or shaikh) during the 19th century was Rakan bin Hithalayn, who is still well known in Arabian tribal lore, and who was noted for his poetry as well as aptitude in battle against the Ottoman Turks. Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman is his great-grandson. The 'Ajman, however, were defeated by Faisal bin Turki, the second Imam of the Second Saudi State, who later married into the tribe. Later on, they supported the cause of the Saud al-Kabir branch of the Al Saud against their cousin Abdulaziz bin Saud, the founder of Saudi Arabia.