khalifa: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Religious, Historical
Quick answer
What does “khalifa” mean?
A political and religious successor to the Prophet Muhammad, the leader of the Islamic community (ummah).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A political and religious successor to the Prophet Muhammad, the leader of the Islamic community (ummah).
The title for the head of a caliphate; a political and religious leader in Islam. In a broader or metaphorical sense, it can refer to any person who is seen as a supreme leader or successor within a specific spiritual or organisational context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The spelling is consistent. The alternate spelling 'caliph' (and its derivative 'caliphate') is more common in general English publications in both regions. 'Khalifa' is a transliteration closer to the Arabic pronunciation.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'khalifa' carries the same strong religious and historical connotations. It is a specialist term.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both UK and US English. The anglicised form 'caliph' is more frequently encountered.
Grammar
How to Use “khalifa” in a Sentence
Khalifa of [place/group]the Khalifa, [name]to be/appointed/recognised as KhalifaVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, theological, and political science texts discussing Islamic civilisation, succession, and governance.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might appear in news reports about groups like ISIS, or in discussions among Muslims about religious history.
Technical
Used as a precise term in Islamic studies and history.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “khalifa”
- Incorrect pluralisation: 'khalifas' is acceptable, but the Arabic plural 'khulafa'' is also used in scholarly contexts. 'Khalifes' is incorrect.
- Misspelling as 'kalifa', 'khalifah'.
- Using it as a general term for any Islamic leader without the specific connotation of being a successor to Muhammad and head of the caliphate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no difference in meaning. 'Khalifa' is a direct transliteration from Arabic, while 'caliph' entered English via Medieval Latin and Old French. 'Caliph' is the more common anglicised form.
Yes, the group's former leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, declared himself the 'Khalifa' upon announcing the establishment of a 'caliphate' in 2014. This claim is rejected by the vast majority of Muslims and scholars.
Mainstream Sunni Islam has not had a widely recognised Khalifa since the abolition of the Ottoman Caliphate in 1924. Some individuals or small groups claim the title, but none hold the broad political and religious authority of the historical caliphates.
It refers to the first four successors to Prophet Muhammad: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali. They are held in particularly high esteem in Sunni Islam for their leadership close to the Prophet's time.
A political and religious successor to the Prophet Muhammad, the leader of the Islamic community (ummah).
Khalifa is usually formal, academic, religious, historical in register.
Khalifa: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈliːfə/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈliːfə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The Khalifa's justice (proverbial for fairness)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Khalifa' has 'half' in it – the first khalifas were seen as the 'other half' of the prophetic mission, succeeding the Prophet.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEADER IS A SUCCESSOR / SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY IS A MANTLE (to take up the mantle of the Khalifa).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'Khalifa' most appropriately used?