Caliphate
A caliphate (Arabic: خِلافة khilāfa) is an area containing an Islamic stewardknown as a caliph (Arabic: خَليفة khalīfah 
pronunciation (help·info))—a person considered a religious successor to the Islamic prophet,Muhammad (Muhammad ibn ʿAbdullāh), and a leader of the entire Muslim community.[1] The Rashidun caliphs, who directly succeeded Muhammadas leaders of the Muslim community, were chosen through shura, a process of community consultation that some consider loosely to be an early form of Islamic democracy.[2] During the history of Islam after theRashidun period, many Muslim states, almost all of them hereditary monarchies, have claimed to be caliphates.[1] Even though caliphs were thought to go back to Muhammad, they were not thought of as having the same prophetic power as he did.[3]
pronunciation (help·info))—a person considered a religious successor to the Islamic prophet,Muhammad (Muhammad ibn ʿAbdullāh), and a leader of the entire Muslim community.[1] The Rashidun caliphs, who directly succeeded Muhammadas leaders of the Muslim community, were chosen through shura, a process of community consultation that some consider loosely to be an early form of Islamic democracy.[2] During the history of Islam after theRashidun period, many Muslim states, almost all of them hereditary monarchies, have claimed to be caliphates.[1] Even though caliphs were thought to go back to Muhammad, they were not thought of as having the same prophetic power as he did.[3]
The Sunni branch of Islam stipulates that, as a head of state, a caliph should be elected by Muslims or their representatives.[4] Followers of Shia Islam, however, believe a caliph should be an Imam chosen by God from the Ahl al-Bayt (the "Family of the House", Muhammad's direct descendants).
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