Khalifa
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Ksaleh
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{{otheruses|Khalifa (disambiguation)}}
'''Khalifa''' (خليفة {{unicode|ẖalīfä}}) is [[Arabic language|Arabic]] for "[[stewardship]]" of nature and family, and is a key obligation of a [[Muslim]].
The word is most commonly used for the Islamic leader of the [[Ummah]], which is translated into English as [[Caliph]] (see there for this definition).
However there are also several other specific uses of the same title for Muslim offices at lower levels of power and authority.
==Stewardship==
While Sunni and Shia Islam differ sharply on the conduct of a caliph and the right relations between a leader and a community, they do not differ on the underlying theory of stewardship. Both abhor waste of [[natural resources]] in particular to show off or demonstrate power. Many consider this conservation urge a necessity of any desert culture, where oases are precious and natural capital must be preserved, in particular clean water sources.
Three specific ways in which khalifa is manifested in [[Muslim]] practice are the creation of [[haram]] to protect water, [[hima]] to protect other species (including those useful to man), and promoting an Islamic identity.
The modern theory of khalifa as [[ecological stewardship]] has developed as part of [[Islamic science]] — notably in the work of [[Seyyed Hossein Nasr]].
==Titular uses==
===Religious leaders===
*In 19th century Sudan, [[Mohammed Ahmed]] "the [[Mahdi]]" was succeeded by [[Abdallahi ibn Muhammad]] "the Khalifa".
*In the [[Ahmadiyya]] sect, ''[[khalifatul Masih]]'' is the title of the successors of its founding [[Messiah]], except in the break-away Lahore branch, which is led by its own [[Emir]]s.
===Secular offices===
In [[Morocco]], the Sherifian Monarch awarded the title ''Khalifa'' or ''Chaliphe'', here meaning '[[Viceroy]]', to royal princes (styled [[Moulay]]), including future Sultans, who represented the crown in a part of the sultanate:
*especially in the former royal capitals [[Marrakesh]], [[Fes, Morocco|Fes]] and [[Meknes]]
*also in other mayor cities, e.g. in [[Shawiya]], [[Casablanca]], [[Tafilalt]], [[Tadla]], [[Tiznit]] [[Tindouf]], in the valley of the [[Draa River]] and in [[Tetouan]].
*but also, in the 20th century, as irrevocably fully mandated Representative of the Sultan in the [[Spanish Morocco|Spanish Zone]], known after him in Spanish as ''el Jalifato'' (note the definite article; although the Spanish word can also be applied to other deputies of various Moroccan officials), besides the ''[[Alto comisario]]'' (de facto governing 'High Commissioner') of the colonial 'protector' Spain, which called his office ''el Jalifa'' (not ''Califa'', the word for any 'imperial' [[Caliph]], ruling a ''[[caliphate|califato]]''):
**19 April 1913 - 9 November 1923 [[Mulay]] al-Mahdi bin Isma'il bin Muhammad (d. 1923)
** 9 November 1923 - 9 November 1925 Vacant
** 9 November 1925 - 16 March 1941 Mulay Hassan bin al-Mahdi (1st time) (b. 1912)
**16 March 1941 - October 1945 Vacant
**October 1945 - 7 April 1956 Mulay Hassan bin al-Mahdi (2nd time)
==Other uses==
Khalifa can have a definition, be a first name, or family or tribe name. Like many titles, Khalifa also occurs in many names.
It is the family name of the [[Al Khalifa]] dynasty, rulers of the peninsular Arab nation of [[Bahrain]], who are descended from the [[Bani Utub]] tribe.
One of the more notable Khalifa's of modern times is Khalifa Saleh Abdulla Haroon. Son of the Director of Air Transport and Airport affairs. Founder of the government backed iLoveQatar Marketing.
==Sources and references==
*[http://www.4dw.net/royalark/Morocco/morocco.htm RoyalArk] here Morocco - see also other present countries
== See also ==
*[[Khilafah]] ( [[Caliphate]])''
[[Category:Caliphates]]
[[Category:Gubernatorial titles]]
[[Category:Islamic philosophy]]
[[Category:Religious leadership roles]]
[[Category:Sharia]]
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