A sultan is a position with several historical meanings, originally derived from the Arabic word "sulṭān," which can mean "strength," "authority," or "rulership"
. The term is often associated with Muslim countries, where the title carries religious significance
. The adjectival form of the word is "sultanic," and the state and territories ruled by a sultan, as well as his office, are referred to as a sultanate (سلطنة salṭanah)
. The title of sultan is distinct from that of king (ملك malik), as both refer to sovereign rulers, but the sultan's position has a more religious significance
. Historically, the title of sultan was used by various Muslim rulers, such as the Seljuqs of Anatolia and Iran, who were the first to use it as a regular title
. The sultan's authority could be absolute, and the title was often inherited and passed from father to son
. In some countries, such as Turkey's Ottoman Empire, the title of sultan was particularly prominent
. Today, the term is still used in some countries, like Oman and Malaysia, to refer to rulers or nobles
