Sheikh

Sheikh (/ʃeɪk, ʃiːk/ SHAYK, SHEEK, Arabic: شَيْخ, romanized: shaykh [ʃajx], commonly [ʃeːχ], plural: شُيُوخ, shuyūkh [ʃujuːx]) is an honorific title in the Arabic language, literally meaning "elder".

For the city in Somaliland, see Sheikh, Somaliland. For other uses, see Sheikh (disambiguation).
"Cheikh" redirects here. For other uses, see Cheikh (disambiguation).
Part of a series on Islam
Usul al-Fiqh
Fiqh
Ahkam
Legal vocations and titles

It commonly designates a tribal chief or royal family member of the United Arab Emirates (since the ruler of each emirate is also the sheikh of their tribe), or a Muslim scholar.

It is also used as an honorary title by people claiming to be descended (either patrilineally or matrilineally) from Hasan ibn Ali or Husayn ibn Ali, grandsons of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

In some countries, it is given as a surname to those of great knowledge in religious affairs, by a prestigious religious leader from a chain of Sufi scholars.

The word is mentioned in the Qur'an in three places: verse 72 of Hud, 78 of Yusuf, and 23 of al-Qasas.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.