A caliph is the supreme religious and political leader of an Islamic state known as the caliphate. [1] [2] Caliphs (also known as 'Khalifas') led the Muslim Ummah as political successors to the Islamic prophet Muhammad, [3] and widely-recognised caliphates have existed in various forms for most of Islamic history. [4]

Throughout the history of Islam, a few other Muslim states, almost all of which were hereditary monarchies, have claimed to be caliphates. Not all Muslim states have had caliphates. The Sunni branch of Islam stipulates that, as a head of state, a caliph should be elected by Muslims or their representatives. [7] .

Feb 14, 2025 · Caliph, in Islamic history, the leader of the Muslim community. The title was first used when Abu Bakr, companion of the Prophet Muhammad and an early convert to Islam, was chosen to assume Muhammad’s political and administrative …

Dec 3, 2019 · Caliphate (“Khilafat” in Arabic) was a semi-religious political system of governance in Islam, in which the territories of the Islamic empire in the Middle East and North Africa and the people within were ruled by a supreme leader called Caliph (“Khalifa” in …

Feb 5, 2025 · Caliphate, the political-religious state comprising the Muslim community and the lands and peoples under its dominion in the centuries following the death (632 ce) of the Prophet Muhammad.

Jul 3, 2008 · The imam (ruler) or caliph was appointed to lead the Islamic state by one of three methods: 1-He was chosen and elected by the decision makers (ahl al-hall wa’l-‘aqd).

Oct 23, 2022 · You know that the four righteous caliphs were not only the imams (guides and leaders) and rulers of the Muslims, immediately following Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), but also they were among the closest of the prophet’s companions who …

Hazrat Abu Bakar (R.A.), Hazrat Umar (R.A.), Hazrat Uthman (R.A.), and Hazrat Ali (R.A.) were the first four Caliphs. They led humble and virtuous lives and worked tirelessly for Allah’s religion (S.W.T.). Their law was unbiased, and they treated everyone with kindness and generosity.

The Emirate of Córdoba, and from 929, the Caliphate of Córdoba, was an Arab Islamic state ruled by the Umayyad dynasty from 756 to 1031. Its territory comprised most of the Iberian Peninsula (known to Muslims as al-Andalus), the Balearic Islands, and parts of North Africa, with its capital in Córdoba (at the time Qurṭubah). [2] [3] [4] From 756 it was ruled as an emirate until Abd al ...

The Islamic Caliphate was one of the greatest empires in world history. It transformed the map of the world, and had a huge influence on the Middle East and Europe, which endures to this day.