Khalifah (Caliph/Successor)
The political and religious leader of the Muslim community after the Prophet's passing.
Khalifah (caliph) means "successor" or "representative" and refers to the leader of the Muslim community (ummah) after the passing of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In Sunni Islam, the four rightly guided caliphs (al-Khulafa' al-Rashidun) are recognized: Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, Umar ibn al-Khattab, Uthman ibn Affan, and Ali ibn Abi Talib.
The rightly guided caliphs played a crucial role in the preservation and standardization of prayer practice. Abu Bakr preserved the Prophet's sunnah during a time of apostasy (riddah). Umar established the tarawih prayer as a congregational prayer during Ramadan. Uthman standardized the text of the Quran. Ali was known for his deep devotion in prayer — it is said that an arrow was removed from his leg during prayer without him noticing.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The caliphate after me will last thirty years, then it will become a kingdom" (Sunan al-Tirmidhi). The period of the four rightly guided caliphs lasted from 632 to 661 CE and is considered in the Sunni tradition as the golden era of Islamic governance.
Related terms
Khushu (Humility in Prayer)
Inner humility, focus and devotion during prayer.
Wajib (Obligatory)
Actions that are obligatory in Islamic law, including the five daily prayers.
Sujud al-Tilawah (Prostration of Recitation)
A prostration performed when reciting or hearing specific Quranic verses.
Tajwid (Proper Quran Recitation)
The science of proper pronunciation and recitation of the Quran during prayer.
Ikhlas (Sincerity)
Pure sincerity in worship — acting solely for the sake of Allah.
Mashhad (Imam Reza's City)
The sacred city in Iran with Imam Reza's shrine, Iran's most visited pilgrimage destination.