Interpretation of the word "Khalīfa" in the Qur'anic interpretations of the 2nd to 6th centuries of Hijri

The word "Khalīfa" is mentioned only twice in the Quran But in the idiomatic form, "Khalīfa Allah" has an important place in Islamic belief and as a verbal addition, it means and refers to the substitution of man instead of God. This research seeks to investigate the change in the meaning of this word in the interpretations of various sects from the second to the sixth century of Hijri. "Khalīfa" in the literal sense means the replacement of a present person instead of an absent person. Most of the commentators in the interpretation of verse 30 of Surah al-Baqarah state that "Jinn" lived on earth before Ādam and the word "Khalīfa" means successor of Jinn or Malāika; but from the end of the third century, another point of view is presented which states that there was no creature on earth before Ādam, and the meaning of "Khalīfa" is "Khalīfa Allah" which includes Ādam and his descendant. Also, at the same time, a new political meaning is proposed for the word "Khalīfa"; it is Sultān ʿAzam. In the interpretation of verse 26 of surah Ṣād, it is also said that Dāwūd was the successor of the prophets and kings before him, and he is the Khalīfa Allah and the Sultān ʿAzam. In addition to the silence of some commentators in attributing the concept of "Khalīfa Allāh" to the word Khalīfa, some commentators have even opposed this meaning.