#201 caliph

caliph, calif, kalif, khalif- the title of the successors of Mohammed as rulers of the Islamic world, later assumed by the Sultans of Turkey

- C14 from Old French , from Arabic khalifa- successor

In classic Islamic theology, only the caliph is authorized to declare offensive jihad against non-Muslim states for the purpose of subjugating them under the rule of Sharia, Islamic law.

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