Arabic · noun · Nation, Faith & Society

Khilafat

ख़िलाफ़त

said khi-LAA-fat

also written: khilafah, khilafat, caliphate

Meaning

The caliphate; the office, dominion and successorship of the caliph.

Usage & notes

For Iqbal the ideal of Khilafat is the vicegerency of God on earth — sovereignty as trust and service, not domination.

Related words

A successor or vicegerent; the head of the Muslim community after the Prophet, and the human as God's steward on earth.

The office of leading the congregational prayer, and in Shia belief the divinely appointed spiritual leadership.