Discover the meaning of the term Al-khlafa (خلافة) in Islamic vocabulary.
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Updated on 11 April 2026 at 1:05 AM
📖 2 min readIn language: masdar of 'khalafa yakhlufulu khalafatan': to be left after someone or take his place; whoever succeeds another is called khalifa; hence he who succeeds the Messenger of God in applying the religious rulings and leading the Muslims in matters of religion and world is called khalifa, and the office is called khalafa and imama. Deputizing for another: for his absence, his death, his incapacity, or to honor the one appointed; on this pattern God established His servants in the earth. In religious usage: the khalifa's office: general headship in religion and world by deputizing for the Prophet; it is also called the great imamate, equivalent to the imamate. Ibn Khaldun defined it: leading the community by religious consideration in their otherworldly and worldly interests that refer to it; he then explained the definition: it is, in truth, deputizing for the bearer of the Law in guarding religion and the world (Nihayat al-Muhtaj, 7/409; Hashiyat Ibn 'Abidin, 1/368; Ibn Khaldun's Muqaddima, p. 190; al-Kulliyyat, p. 407).
Deputizing for another, for his absence or death, 'in his affairs'.
From khalafa yakhlufulu the thing: to be its successor. (See: khalifa. English gloss: succession.) The state's supreme headship: the general imamate.