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Caliph: meaning, definitions and examples

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caliph

 

[ หˆkeษชlษชf ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

historical figure

A caliph is a spiritual leader in Islam, considered to be a successor to the Prophet Muhammad. The title is derived from the Arabic word 'khalifah', which means 'successor' or 'representative'. A caliph is responsible for upholding Islamic law and guiding the Muslim community. Historically, caliphs have wielded significant political power, often governing vast territories and leading military conquests. The role of the caliphate has varied throughout history, particularly during the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties.

Synonyms

leader, ruler, successor

Examples of usage

  • The caliph led the Muslim armies to victory.
  • Many scholars flourished under the patronage of the caliph.
  • The caliph's decisions were crucial for the Islamic empire.

Translations

Translations of the word "caliph" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น califa

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค–เคฒเคฟเคซเคผเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Kalif

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ khalifah

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั…ะฐะปั–ั„

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ kalif

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ซใƒชใƒ•

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท calife

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ califa

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท halife

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์นผ๋ฆฌํ”„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฎู„ูŠูุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ chalรญf

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ chaliฬf

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ“ˆ้‡Œๅ‘

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ kalif

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ kalรญfi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั…ะฐะปะธั„

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฎแƒแƒšแƒ˜แƒคแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ xษ™lifษ™

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ califa

Etymology

The term 'caliph' has its roots in Arabic, coming from the word 'khalifah', which translates to 'successor'. The first caliph, Abu Bakr, was chosen as the leader of the Muslim community after the death of Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE. The title became a significant part of Islamic governance and was associated with both religious leadership and political authority. Over time, various dynasties claimed the title of caliph, the most notable being the Umayyads and Abbasids, which established caliphates that expanded rapidly across the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe. The caliphate played a vital role in the spread of Islam and the development of an extensive Islamic culture. The acknowledgment of a caliph as the leader of the Islamic world has continued in some forms to this day, despite the historical caliphates coming to an end in the early 20th century.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,462, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.