The term "sultan" was chosen by the Ottomans for their leader primarily because it conveyed a sense of authority and power. While the term itself does not specifically denote the spiritual leader of Islam, it is often associated with rulers of significant political and military strength. The sultans of the Ottoman Empire sought to legitimize their rule in a manner that reflected their power and influence, aligning themselves with historical connotations of the title that implied both sovereignty and the responsibility of governance.
Regarding the other options provided:
- It was not the name of the spiritual leader of Islam; spiritual leadership was often associated with the caliphate.
- There is no historical evidence that the title "sultan" was given by Muhammad to Ottoman leaders.
- The phrase "it sounded important when spoken" is somewhat superficial; while the title may indeed have had an imposing sound, it was more about the concept and authority associated with it.
- The title "sultan" helped create an impression of legitimacy and favored status, but it was not specifically an impression that they were liked by caliphs. The Ottomans did later become caliphs, which added to their legitimacy.
In conclusion, the selection of "sultan" as a title was largely about representing political authority and the leadership role of the Ottoman rulers rather than any specific spiritual or personal relationship with Islam or its caliphs.