The caliphs

This group gathers caliphs, the successors who led the Muslim community after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, holding both political and religious authority as head of the ummah. The early caliphate is of foundational importance in Islamic history.

The browser will find the caliphs the atlas gathers, including the early leaders whose status is understood differently by Sunni and Shia Muslims. The entries describe each figure's reign and the traditions surrounding him.