What is a caliph in Islam?

What is a caliph in Islam?

caliph, Arabic khalīfah (“successor”), in Islamic history the ruler of the Muslim community.

Who are the 4 caliphs in Islam?

Rashidun, (Arabic: “Rightly Guided,” or “Perfect”), the first four caliphs of the Islamic community, known in Muslim history as the orthodox or patriarchal caliphs: Abū Bakr (reigned 632–634), ʿUmar (reigned 634–644), ʿUthmān (reigned 644–656), and ʿAlī (reigned 656–661).

What is a caliph?

A caliph is a religious and civil leader in a Muslim country. Caliph comes from the Arabic word khalafa, meaning “successor” or “next in line.” It was taken as a title by Abu-bekr, the first Islamic leader after the death of Mohammed, the prophet who founded the religion of Islam.

Why is the caliph important?

The Caliphate was led by a ruler called the “caliph”, which means “successor.” The caliph was considered the successor to the Prophet Muhammad and was both the religious and political leader of the Muslim world.

Who is the third caliph?

Uthman ibn Affan’s
Uthman ibn Affan’s reign (644–656) was undoubtedly one of the most formative in this tumultuous period. Born in the Hijaz (Arabia) into an Umayyad family in the Quraysh clan, Uthman was a companion of the Prophet. He was already in his mid-sixties when he was elected third caliph.

What is the Sunni belief about the caliph?

Sunni belief. Following the death of Muhammad, a meeting took place at Saqifah. At that meeting, Abu Bakr was elected caliph by the Muslim community. Sunni Muslims developed the belief that the caliph is a temporal political ruler, appointed to rule within the bounds of Islamic law (Sharia).

What was the name of the first caliph of Islam?

The first caliph was Abu Bakr who ruled from 632-634 CE. Abu Bakr was the father-in-law of Muhammad and was an early convert to Islam. He was known as “The Truthful.” During his short reign as caliph, Abu Bakr put down rebellions by various Arab tribes after Muhammad died and established the Caliphate as the ruling force in the region.

Who were the first four caliphs?

The First Four Caliphs included Abu Bakr, Umar Ibn al-Khattab, Uthman ibn Affan, and Ali ibn Abi Talib. Umayyad (661-750 CE) – Under the rule of the Umayyad Caliphate, the Islamic Empire expanded rapidly to include much of northern Africa , western India, and Spain.

Who is the Khalifa of Islam?

Khalifa meaning, Khalifa in Islam, khalifa arabic words The meaning of the word caliph is the heir, the representative, the army chief. The khalifa is the Islamic religious and political leader, and the descendant of Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him). Many people consider Khalifa as representative of Allah.