He was a member of one of the most prominent political families in Syria, al-Azm (also known as Alazem or Al Azem), and the son of an Ottoman minister of religious affairs.
Ia adalah anggota salah satu keluarga politikus paling berpengaruh di Suriah, al-Azm (juga dikenal sebagai Alazem atau Al Azem), dan putra dari menteri urusan agama Ottoman.