What is the difference between an emir and a sultan

I don't think this is really about English. Sheik, emir and sultan are all borrowed words which are used in an adopted context.

LewisCarroll All of the words are borrowed, and their definition depends on the Muslim or Arabic concepts of nobility--not English. Perhaps this should be moved to history.

This is known as an etymological fallacy. Show 7 more comments. Active Oldest Votes. Entries from the OED provided below. Note carefully the years that these words entered English: For example, emirate is extremely recent. The rank, dignity, or office of caliph. The reign or term of office of a caliph The dominion of a caliph. Taken as a type of magnificence; also attrib. Used with allusion to an Eastern ruler's harem; also attrib. An absolute ruler; gen. The office or power of a sultan. Now also used among Arabs as a general title of respect.

Chiefly in spelling sheik. A type of a strong, romantic lover; a lady-killer. Hull , and its cinematic adaptation The Sheikh , , starring Rudolph Valentino. The head of a Muslim religious order or community; a great religious doctor or preacher; now esp.

Sheikh-ul-Islam properly Sheikhu 'l Islam : the supreme authority in matters relating to religion and sacred law; in Turkey, the mufti. Hence Sheikh-ul-Islamate. In India, one of a dissenting sect of Muslims; a general term for Hindu converts to Islam.

Usually shekh , shaikh. A title of honour borne by the descendants of the prophet Muhammad. Improve this answer. James Waldby - jwpat7 LewisCarroll Thank you. None of the free available dictionaries holds a candle to it, and so I find myself copying its entries into answers here quite a bit for people who have no subscription.

Note that most universities and many libraries do have a subscription , which means that even today better research can often be done at the library than at home. Add a comment. An emirate is a political territory that is ruled by a dynastic Arabic or Islamic monarch-styled emir. The rank, lands, or reign of an emir.

Now for what those words mean and how they deviate from each other. The best analogy is this: a sultan or an emir will rule a…. Sultanates are basically Islamic versions of what would be a kingdom in European settlements. The Sultan is the ruler of the entire sultanate, and this position must be inherited through familial blood. Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. Press ESC to cancel. Skip to content Home Miscellaneous What is the difference between Sultanate and emirate?

Esther Fleming April 17,