Caliph

A title for a successor to Muhammad as leader of the Muslim community. The caliph’s legitimacy and authority have been understood differently across Muslim traditions.

Succession to Muhammad: The political and religious dispute over leadership of the Muslim community after Muhammad’s death in 632. The first caliph emerged from this unresolved question of succession.
Sunni Islam: The largest branch of Islam, whose institutions and doctrines developed through diverse scholarly traditions. Sunni accounts generally recognize the first four caliphs as rightly guided leaders.
Shura: Consultation in Islamic political and social life, with meanings that vary across historical and legal contexts. Consultation was invoked in discussions of choosing and governing a caliph.
Umayyad Caliphate: The first hereditary caliphate, ruled by the Umayyad dynasty from 661 to 750. The Umayyads turned caliphal rule into a dynastic empire.
Abolition of the Ottoman Caliphate: The Turkish Grand National Assembly’s abolition of the caliphate on March 3, 1924. The abolition ended the Ottoman claim and left the office without a recognized incumbent.
Abu Bakr: The first caliph, who led the Muslim community from 632 until his death in 634. His selection established the first precedent for caliphal leadership.
Shia Islam: A major branch of Islam that holds leadership of the Muslim community belongs to Muhammad’s family through Ali. Shi‘i traditions distinguish the caliphate from the divinely guided authority of the imamate.
Ummah: The community of Muslims, understood as a religious community extending across peoples and political boundaries. The caliph’s title claims leadership in relation to this wider community.
Abbasid Caliphate: The caliphate ruled by the Abbasid dynasty, founded in 750 and centered for centuries in Baghdad. Abbasid caliphs became influential patrons even as political authority fragmented.
Hizb ut-Tahrir: A transnational Islamist political organization founded in 1953 that advocates restoring a caliphate. Its program makes restoration of the caliphate a central political objective.

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