Khalifah

Khalifah, commonly rendered as caliph in English, is an Arabic term meaning “successor” or “steward.” In Islamic political thought, a khalifah is the leader of the Muslim community (the ummah) who exercises sovereignty in accordance with Islamic law. The institution emerged after the death of the Prophet Muhammad as a succession of leaders expected to uphold justice, defend the community, and preserve unity. The word khilafa denotes the office or tenure of a khalifah, and the title has often carried both political authority and religious legitimacy.

Historically, the caliphate began with the Rashidun caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali) from 632 to 661 CE, followed by the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties, and later various Islamic empires, including the Ottoman, who claimed the title until the caliphate’s abolition in 1924. In different eras, the caliph’s authority ranged from limited spiritual leadership to extensive territorial sovereignty; debates over legitimacy and the possibility of a universal caliphate have recurred, particularly in modern times.

In contemporary discourse, the concept of khalifah remains a source of religious and political discussion. Some groups advocate reviving a caliphate, while most Muslim-majority states operate without such an office. Khalifah is also a given name used across Arabic-speaking communities, reflecting its cultural and historical significance.