1. A religious and political leader in Islam; a successor or caliph.
Usage: Also spelled 'caliph' or 'calif'; Historical and contemporary usage in Islamic contexts

Examples

• The khalifa ruled over a vast Islamic empire during the medieval period.
• After the Prophet Muhammad's death, the first khalifa was chosen to lead the Muslim community.
• Different regions recognized different khalifas as legitimate leaders.
• The khalifa's authority extended over both religious and secular matters.
• Historians debate the legitimacy of various khalifas throughout Islamic history.