noun
- Plural of khalif; Islamic religious and political leaders who are considered successors to the Prophet Muhammad.
Usage: Also spelled 'caliphs' (more common in modern English); Historical and religious term; Refers to heads of Islamic states or empires
Examples
- The early khalifs expanded the Islamic empire across three continents.
- Medieval khalifs ruled from Baghdad and established centers of learning.
- Different khalifs interpreted Islamic law in various ways.
- The Umayyad khalifs were known for their administrative reforms.
- Historians study the reigns of the khalifs to understand Islamic civilization.