Yet another question about Islam?

Question

OK thanks for your previous answers guys, I was just wondering what the definition of a Caliph is? As far as I can fathom a Caliph is a very holy man, equivalent to a christian saint...I think the man who first put the Holy Qu'ran together became a Caliph, is this right? Thanks!

PS, all those who have sent me links, I will get round to checking them!

Answer 1

Caliph is the term or title for the Islamic leader of the Ummah, or community of Islam. It is a romanized version of the Arabic word خليفة Khalīfah (help·info) which means "successor" or "representative". Some of the early leaders of the Muslim community following the prophet Muhammad's (570–632) death called themselves "Khalifat Allah", meaning representative of God, but the alternative title of "Khalifat rasul Allah", meaning the successor to the prophet of God, eventually became the standard title. Some academics prefer to transliterate the term as Khalīf.

Caliphs were often also referred to as Amīr al-Mu'minīn (أمير المؤمنين) "Commander of the Faithful", or, more colloquially, leader of the Muslims. This title has been shortened and romanized to "emir". It is also found as a personal name in some countries (Amir or Aamir).

(Caliph, Khalīfah, also became the term used to designate the head of a Sufi order.)

After the first four Sunni caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar ibn al-Khattab, Uthman ibn Affan, and Ali ibn Abi Talib), the title was claimed by the Umayyads, the Abbasids, and the Ottomans, as well as by other, competing lineages in Spain, Northern Africa, and Egypt. Most historical Muslim rulers simply titled themselves sultans or amirs, and gave token obedience to a caliph who often had very little real authority. The title has been defunct since the Republic of Turkey abolished the Ottoman caliphate in 1924.

Answer 2

No. A Caliph is the chosen leader of the muslims.

The Khalifa or Caliphate refers to the muslim system of governance. The last one was destroyed in March 1924.

Muslims believe that just as the Torah was given to Moses, Psalms to David, Gospel to Jesus; the Quran was given or "revealed" to the last Prophet Muhammad in small chunks over a period of 23 years. He is not called a Caliph but like Moses, was the accepted leader of all the Muslims (including the Arabs) when he died.

The title of "Caliph" is applied from the leader(s) that followed. The modern equivalant would be a sort of president.

Answer 3

You are near from the truth, so let me tell you the exact truth,
Caliph is the best one from Muslims in every field not in his worship to Allah only, meaning he must be creative to be able to do good things to Muslims every where, he must be good at politics so that build good relations with neighboring countries, whether they are Muslim or not, he must be a decision maker man as he would be responsible for millions of people, and many other qualities that must be in him including the excellent understanding of the true Islam because one of the most important reasons for the wrong understand of Islam by most of non-Muslims is due to wrong understanding of Islam.

And I would like to correct a little piece of information in your question:
the first caliph, Abu Bakr (May God Be Pleased With Him) was FIRST selected by Muslims to be the caliph, THEN he decided to put the Quran together.

Answer 4

Finally a sensible person who doesn't intend to bite our heads off.Thanx for being so understanding while asking questions i swear 15 min on yahoo answers is enough to get any Muslim depressed...............anyway when the Holy Prophet(PBUH) passed away Caliphs i.e religious leaders took his place as u probably know that even the smallest group needs a leader to solve their problems lead them through difficult times which is exactly what they did.

Answer 5

A caliph is a spiritual leader of Islam. As in world leader. He is able to pass new laws in Islam as long as this new ruling does not oppose or contradict Islam.

Answer 6

Well..., caliph or khalifahh is a leader of Islam community..

Check this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliph

Answer 7

Caliph is a ruler it's the Islamic Imams that teach hate, death, physical abuse and intellectual subjugation of women. Homicide Bombing and intolerance, torture, Beheading and annihilation of all Jews and Americans.

That is the enlightened religion of Islam not taught by caliphs only overseen by them in their public executions of women by stoning!

Ahhh the heavenly joys joys of Islam !!

Bombs, Burkas or 72 Virgins anyone? Infidels need not apply!

Answer 8

Caliph is a paedophile wannabe just like Mohammed, the pig eater.

Answer 9

there is no lords in Islam or holy man, except prophets of God. and everyone will be question infront of God as a slave human.

caliph means a leader or president or some one who takes over another leader.

Answer 10

Caliph is the person replacing the prophet Mohamed, Caliph is a re-placer in Arabic