Caliph

Quick Facts: Who was Caliph?

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Caliph

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The political and religious leadership structure in Islam, succeeding the Prophet Muhammad.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

A caliphate is an institution or public office under the leadership of an Islamic steward with the title of caliph (), a person considered a political–religious successor to the Islamic prophet Muhammad and a leader of the entire Muslim world (ummah). Historically, the caliphates were polities based on Islam which developed into multi-ethnic trans-national empires. During the medieval period, three major caliphates succeeded each other: the Rashidun Caliphate (632–661), the Umayyad Caliphate (661–750), and the Abbasid Caliphate (750–1517). In the fourth major caliphate, the Ottoman Caliphate, the rulers of the Ottoman Empire claimed caliphal authority from 1517 until the Ottoman Caliphate was formally abolished as part of the 1924 secularisation of Turkey. The Sharif of Mecca then claimed the title, but this caliphate fell quickly after its conquest by the Sultanate of Nejd (the predecessor of modern-day Saudi Arabia), leaving the claim in dormancy.

Career & Major Achievements

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. Shia Muslims believe a caliph should be an imam chosen by God from the Ahl al-Bayt (the 'Household of the Prophet'). Some caliphates in history have been led by Shia Muslims, like the Fatimid Caliphate (909–1171).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

From the late 20th century towards the early 21st century, in the wake of the invasion of Afghanistan by the USSR, the war on terror and the Arab Spring, various Islamist groups have claimed the caliphate, although these claims have usually been widely rejected among Muslims; the most notable example of this being the Islamic State led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi which declared a caliphate in its territory in Iraq and Syria in 2014. Before the advent of Islam, Arabian monarchs traditionally used the title malik 'king', or another from the same Semitic root. The term caliph () derives from the Arabic word khalīfah (خليفة, ), meaning 'successor', 'steward', or 'deputy', and has traditionally been considered a shortening of Khalīfah rasūl Allāh 'successor of the messenger of God'. However, studies of pre-Islamic texts suggest that the original meaning of the phrase was 'successor selected by God'. In the immediate aftermath of the death of Muhammad, a gathering of the Ansar (natives of Medina) took place in the saqifa (courtyard) of the Banu Sa'ida clan.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1171: 1171 Milestone — Some caliphates in history have been led by Shia Muslims, like the Fatimid Caliphate (909–1171).
2. 1517: 1517 Milestone — During the medieval period, three major caliphates succeeded each other: the Rashidun Caliphate (632–661), the Umayyad Caliphate (661–750), and the Abbasid Caliphate (750–1517).
3. 2014: 2014 Milestone — From the late 20th century towards the early 21st century, in the wake of the invasion of Afghanistan by the USSR, the war on terror and the Arab Spring, various Islamist groups have claimed the caliphate, although these claims have usually been widely rejected among Muslims; the most notable example of this being the Islamic State led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi which declared a caliphate in its territory in Iraq and Syria in 2014.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Caliph

True or False: “Did the early caliphates always maintain a unified political authority across all Muslim lands?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The text notes that while they developed into trans-national empires, later periods saw various regional states and claims to caliphal authority.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Dayan Khan — Historical peer (Died in 1517) (1517): Great Khan of the Northern Yuan dynasty, unifying the Mongols under Chinggisid rule.
• Emperor Ōgimachi — Historical peer (Born in 1517) (1517): The 106th Emperor of Japan; reigned during the transition from Muromachi to Azuchi–Momoyama.
• Abdullah of Saudi Arabia — Historical peer (Born in 1924) (1924): King of Saudi Arabia, known for his role in modernizing the kingdom's governance.
• Ahmadou Ahidjo — Historical peer (Born in 1924) (1924): Cameroonian politician and first President of Cameroon (1960-1982).
• Alfonso IX of León — Historical peer (Born in 1171) (1171): King of León and Galicia, known for modernizing his domain and founding the University of Salamanca.
• 2014 League of Legends World Championship — Historical peer (Born in 2014) (2014): The 4th League of Legends World Championship, held in Asia in 2014.
• Adolfo Suárez — Historical peer (Died in 2014) (2014): Key architect of Spain's transition to democracy, serving as Prime Minister 1976-1981.

Frequently Asked Questions about Caliph