Talk:Caliphate

Etymology?

I should begin with the disclaimer that I am ignorant of the Arabic language. But I did have a question about the etymology of "caliphate." The Oxford English dictionary says that it is derived from Arabic khalīfa, successor, whence English "caliph" (plus the suffix "-ate" for the office rather than the individual ruler); but the article says that it is derived from khilāfah. Is this a typographical error in the article, or is khilāfah a different form of the word specifically meaning "caliphate" rather than "caliph?" Thanks. Bruce M.Tindall 10:32, 25 February 2008 (CST)