WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The caliph was to be a spiritual and political leader, elected by his fellow Muslims. From 632-661, under the Rashidun Caliphate, the Muslim community elected caliphs who were close associates and extended family members of Muhammad. Under the Rashidun, the state expanded rapidly out of Arabia.

Detailed explanation-2: -Ruled by a caliph (Arabic khalīfah, “successor”), who held temporal and sometimes a degree of spiritual authority, the empire of the Caliphate grew rapidly through conquest during its first two centuries to include most of Southwest Asia, North Africa, and Spain.

Detailed explanation-3: -The leader of a caliphate is called the caliph, meaning deputy or representative. All caliphs are believed to be the successor to Prophet Muhammad. Muhammad was not a caliph; according to the Quran he was the last and greatest of the prophets. That means no one can replace Muhammad as the messenger of God.

Detailed explanation-4: -caliph, Arabic khalīfah (“successor”), in Islamic history the ruler of the Muslim community.

Detailed explanation-5: -Caliphs led the Muslim Ummah as political successors to the Prophet Muhammad, and widely-recognised caliphates have existed in various forms for most of Islamic history.