Caliph

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkeɪ̪lɨf/, /ˈkælɨf/

Origin

From Old French caliphe, from Medieval Latin califa, from Arabic خليف - successor.

Alternative forms

• calif, kalif, kaliph, khalif, khalifa

Full definition of caliph

Noun

1. The political leader of the Muslim world, successor of Muhammad's political authority, not religious or spiritual.Ahmadis call their Caliph the Khalifatul Masih.

Related terms

• caliphate