Khalifahs of Sunni Islam: Historical Overview from the Death of Muhammad to Present Time

Islamic History Sunni Islam Khalifahs Islamic Dynasties
An exhaustive historical account of the Khalifahs in Sunni Islam, spanning from the death of Prophet Muhammad to contemporary times, covering the Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid, and Ottoman dynasties.
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Definition and Historical Overview of the Khalifahs in Sunni Islam

The role of the Khalifah (Caliph) in Sunni Islam has been pivotal in shaping Islamic history and governance. Khalifahs are considered the spiritual and political successors to the Prophet Muhammad, responsible for leading the Muslim Ummah (community). This entry traces the evolution of Sunni Khalifahs from the immediate successors of the Prophet, known as the Rashidun Khalifahs, through the Umayyad, Abbasid dynasties, and the Ottoman Empire.

Etymology and Translations

Etymology: The term Khalifah (Arabic: خَليفة‎) is derived from the Arabic root خ-ل-ف (ḵ-l-f), meaning “successor” or “deputy.” The term evolved to signify the leader of the Muslim community.

Arabic Translation: Khalifah (خَليفة‎)

Turkish Translation: Halife

The Rashidun Khalifahs (Rightly Guided Caliphs)

  1. **Abu Bakr (A.H. 11 / A.D. 632)
    • Contributions: Collected the Qur’an into one volume.
  2. **Umar (A.H. 13 / A.D. 634)
    • Achievements: Conquered Egypt, Syria, and Persia.
  3. **Uthman (A.H. 23 / A.D. 643)
    • Events: Invades Cyprus; faced revolts at al-Kufa.
  4. **Ali (A.H. 35 / A.D. 655)
    • End: Assassinated amid internal conflicts with Mu’awiyah.
  5. **Al-Hasan (A.H. 40 / A.D. 660)
    • Conclusion: Resigned; later poisoned.

The Umayyad Dynasty (Banu Umayyah at Damascus)

  1. **Mu’awiyah I (A.H. 41 / A.D. 661)
    • Actions: Besieged Constantinople; made Damascus the capital.
  2. **Yazid I (A.H. 60 / A.D. 679)
    • Notable Event: Martyrdom of Husayn at the Battle of Karbala.
  3. **Mu’awiyah II (A.H. 64 / A.D. 683)
    • Status: Deposed.
  4. **Marwan I (A.H. 64 / A.D. 683)
    • Fate: Poisoned.
  5. **Abdul Malik (A.H. 65 / A.D. 684)
    • Achievements: Minted the first Arab coin.
  6. **Al-Walid I (A.H. 86 / A.D. 705)
    • Conquests: North Africa, Spain, Bukhara.
  7. **Sulaiman (A.H. 96 / A.D. 715)
    • Demise: Died of grief after a defeat.
  8. **Umar II (A.H. 99 / A.D. 717)
    • Fate: Poisoned.
  9. **Yazid II (A.H. 101 / A.D. 720)
    • Military: Successful generals in various battles.
  10. **Hisham (A.H. 105 / A.D. 724)
    • Defense: Repelled Charles Martel’s advances.
  11. **Al-Walid II (A.H. 125 / A.D. 743)
    • End: Assassinated.
  12. **Yazid III (A.H. 126 / A.D. 744)
    • Demise: Died of the plague.
  13. **Ibrahim (A.H. 126 / A.D. 744)
    • Fate: Deposed.
  14. **Marwan II (A.H. 127 / A.D. 744)
    • Conclusion: Defeated by the Abbasids, killed on the Nile.

The Abbasid Dynasty (at Baghdad and Samarra)

  1. **Abu’l-Abbas as-Saffah (A.H. 132 / A.D. 750)
    • Residence: Settled in al-Kufa.
  2. **Al-Mansur (A.H. 136 / A.D. 754)
    • Legacy: Founded Baghdad.
  3. **Al-Mahdi (A.H. 158 / A.D. 775)
    • Achievements: Conquered Nicomedia.
  4. **Al-Hadi (A.H. 169 / A.D. 785)
  5. **Harun al-Rashid (A.H. 170 / A.D. 786)
    • Notable Period: Hero of ‘Arabian Nights’; era of flourishing literature.
  6. **Al-Amin (A.H. 193 / A.D. 809)
  7. **Al-Ma’mun (A.H. 198 / A.D. 813)
    • Period: The Augustan Age of Arabic literature.
  8. **Al-Mu’tasim (A.H. 218 / A.D. 833)
    • Capital: Made Samarra his capital.
  9. **Al-Wathiq (A.H. 227 / A.D. 841)
  10. **Al-Mutawakkil (A.H. 232 / A.D. 847)
    • Actions: Persecuted Jews and Christians; assassinated.
  11. **Al-Muntasir (A.H. 247 / A.D. 861)
  12. **Al-Musta’in (A.H. 248 / A.D. 862)
  13. **Al-Mu’tazz (A.H. 252 / A.D. 866)
  14. **Al-Muhtadi (A.H. 255 / A.D. 869)
  15. **Al-Mu’tamid (A.H. 256 / A.D. 870)
    • Achievement: Re-established the capital at Baghdad.
  16. **Mu’tadid (A.H. 279 / A.D. 892)
  17. **Al-Muktafi I (A.H. 289 / A.D. 902)
  18. **Al-Muqtadir (A.H. 295 / A.D. 908)
  19. **Al-Qahir (A.H. 320 / A.D. 932)
    • Fate: Blinded and deposed.
  20. **Ar-Radhi (A.H. 322 / A.D. 934)
    • Title: Last Caliph to recite the Khuṭbah.
  21. **Al-Muttaqi (A.H. 329 / A.D. 940)
  22. **Al-Mustakfi (A.H. 333 / A.D. 944)
  23. **Al-Muti’ (A.H. 334 / A.D. 945)
  24. **At-Tai’ (A.H. 363 / A.D. 974)
  25. **Al-Qadir (A.H. 381 / A.D. 991)
  26. **Al-Qa’im (A.H. 422 / A.D. 1031)
  27. **Al-Muqtadi (A.H. 467 / A.D. 1075)
    • Events: Rise of the Seljuk Turks and the First Crusade.
  28. **Al-Mustarsi (A.H. 487 / A.D. 1094)
  29. **Al-Mustarshid (A.H. 512 / A.D. 1118)
    • Fate: Assassinated by Assassins.
  30. **Ar-Rashid (A.H. 529 / A.D. 1135)
    • Fate: Assassinated by Assassins.
  31. **Al-Muktadi II (A.H. 530 / A.D. 1136)
  32. **Al-Mustanjid (A.H. 555 / A.D. 1160)
  33. **Al-Musta’di (A.H. 566 / A.D. 1170)
    • Event: Saladin conquers Syria.
  34. **An-Nasir (A.H. 575 / A.D. 1180)
    • Events: Conquests of Genghis Khan and the Third Crusade.
  35. **Az-Zahir (A.H. 622 / A.D. 1225)
  36. **Al-Mustansir (A.H. 623 / A.D. 1226)
  37. **Al-Musta’sim (A.H. 640 / A.D. 1240)
    • End: Killed by Halaku, grandson of Genghis Khan; Abbasid Caliphate ended in Baghdad.

The Ottoman Dynasty (at Constantinople)

  1. **Osman I (A.D. 1299)
  2. **Orhan (A.D. 1326)
  3. **Murad I (A.D. 1360)
  4. **Bayezid I (A.D. 1389)
  5. **Suleiman I (A.D. 1402)
  6. **Musa (A.D. 1410)
  7. **Mehmed I (A.D. 1413)
  8. **Murad II (A.D. 1421)
  9. **Mehmed II (A.D. 1451)
  10. **Bayezid II (A.D. 1481)
  11. **Selim I (A.D. 1512)
    • Title: First Ottoman Caliph.
  12. **Suleiman the Magnificent (A.D. 1520)
  13. **Selim II (A.D. 1566)
  14. **Murad III (A.D. 1574)
  15. **Mehmed III (A.D. 1595)
  16. **Ahmed I (A.D. 1603)
  17. **Mustafa I (A.D. 1617)
    • Note: Deposed in favor of his nephew.
  18. **Osman II (A.D. 1618)
  19. **Mustafa I (A.D. 1622)
    • Note: Restored and deposed again.
  20. **Murad IV (A.D. 1623)
  21. **Ibrahim (A.D. 1640)
  22. **Mehmed IV (A.D. 1649)
  23. **Suleiman III (A.D. 1687)
  24. **Ahmed II (A.D. 1691)
  25. **Mustafa II (A.D. 1695)
  26. **Ahmed III (A.D. 1703)
  27. **Mahmud I (A.D. 1730)
  28. **Osman III (A.D. 1754)
  29. **Mustafa III (A.D. 1757)
  30. **Abdulhamid I (A.D. 1774)
  31. **Selim III (A.D. 1788)
  32. **Mustafa IV (A.D. 1807)
  33. **Mahmud II (A.D. 1808)
  34. **Abdulmajid I (A.D. 1839)
  35. **Abdulaziz (A.D. 1861)
  36. **Murad V (A.D. 1876)
  37. **Abdulhamid II (A.D. 1876)

Suggested Books for Further Studies

  1. “The Caliphate: Its Rise, Decline, and Fall” by Sir William Muir
  2. “The Venture of Islam” by Marshall G.S. Hodgson
  3. “The History of the Caliphs” by Ibn Kathir
  4. “Sword of Allah: Khalid bin Al-Waleed - His Life and Campaigns” by A.I. Akram
  5. “Lost Islamic History: Reclaiming Muslim Civilisation from the Past” by Firas Alkahani

Takeaways:

  1. Diverse Leadership: From the Rashidun to the Ottomans, each dynasty contributed to the fabric of Islamic history in unique ways.
  2. Geopolitical Influence: Khalifahs played crucial roles in the expansion and consolidation of Islamic territories.
  3. Cultural Flourishing: The period of the Abbasids notably saw significant advancements in science, literature, and culture.
  4. Decline and Resurgence: Political conflicts, external invasions, and internal strife often led to the decline and eventual resurgence of different Caliphates.

Conclusion

Understanding the historical progression of the Khalifahs in Sunni Islam offers a comprehensive view of Islamic governance and cultural evolution. Each period brought its own set of transformations and challenges, ultimately shaping the dynamics of the Muslim world.

This structured Markdown document with detailed information presents an exhaustive yet concise overview of the Khalifahs in Sunni Islam, suitable for educational and academic references.

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