Khalifa

Khalifa, also spelled khalifa, is an Arabic term meaning “successor” or “steward.” In Islamic political-religious discourse, khalifa is the title given to the leader of the Muslim community and the head of a caliphate. The institution originated after the Prophet Muhammad’s death in the 7th century and is most closely associated with the Rashidun Caliphs—Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali. Subsequent dynasties such as the Umayyads, Abbasids, Fatimids, and Ottomans claimed caliphal authority, though the title’s power and recognition varied by region. In English-language scholarship, the title is usually rendered “caliph,” while “khalifa” remains common in Arabic and in certain historical and contemporary contexts.

In modern usage, there is no single universal caliphate, though the term persists in religious and political discourse. Khalifa also functions as a given name and, more commonly, as part of family names in Arab states. Notable figures include Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates from 2004 to 2022, and Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, former prime minister of Bahrain. Members of the Al Khalifa royal family hold political authority in Bahrain, reflecting the dynasty’s prominence in the region.

The term appears in broader cultural history as Khilafat, notably the Khilafat Movement in British India (1919–1924), a political campaign to preserve the Ottoman Caliphate after World War I. Institutions and landmarks bearing the name include Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi and the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.