Nov 21, 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 …

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] Shia Muslims, however, believe a …

Dec 3, 2019 · Caliphs were initially the sole sovereigns of the empire left behind by Prophet Muhammad and added vast territories of surrounding rival empires to it. They were initially selected by a group of …

May 8, 2025 · A caliph is a religious leader in Islam, believed to be the successor to the Prophet Muhammad. The caliph is the head of the "ummah," or the community of the faithful. Over time, the …

The meaning of CALIPH is a successor of Muhammad as temporal and spiritual head of Islam —used as a title.

CALIPH definition: a spiritual leader of Islam, claiming succession from Muhammad. See examples of caliph used in a sentence.

Caliph is the term or title for the Islamic leader of the Ummah, nation or community of Islam. It is an Anglicized/Latinized version of the Arabic word خليفة or Khalīfah (listen ) which means “successor,” …

CALIPH definition: 1. a Muslim ruler 2. a Muslim ruler 3. a political and religious leader of Islam in the period…. Learn more.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no one enduring definition of a caliph; rather, the idea of the caliph has been the subject of constant debate and transformation over time. Kennedy offers a grand …

Dec 5, 2025 · Ruled by a caliph (Arabic khalīfah, “successor”), who held temporal and sometimes a degree of spiritual authority, the empire of the Caliphate grew rapidly through conquest during its first …