noun
- Plural of kalif; Islamic leaders or rulers, especially those considered successors to the Prophet Muhammad.
Usage: Also spelled 'caliphs' (more common in modern English); Historical and religious term; Often used in historical contexts referring to Islamic governance
Examples
- The kalifs of the early Islamic period established vast empires across the Middle East and North Africa.
- Medieval historians documented the reigns of various kalifs and their contributions to Islamic civilization.
- The kalifs were considered both political and religious authorities in their domains.
- Different kalifs implemented different policies regarding trade and taxation.
- The term 'kalifs' appears frequently in studies of Islamic history and governance.