The ShiË a Ubayd Allah al-Mahdi Billah of the Fatimid dynasty , which claimed descendency of Muhammad through his daughter , claimed the title of Caliph in 909 , creating a separate line of caliphs in North Africa . The ShiÊ '' a Ubayd Allah al-Mahdi Billah of the Fatimid dynasty , which claimed descent from Muhammad through his daughter , claimed the title of Caliph in 909 , creating a separate line of caliphs in North Africa .