Sheikh
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Sheikh (pronounced 
/ˈʃiːk/ SHEEK or /ˈʃeɪk/ SHAYK; Arabic: شيخ šayḫ, mostly pronounced [ʃeːx], plural شيوخ šuyūḫ) — also spelled Sheik or Shaikh, or transliterated as Shaykh — is an honorific in the Arabic language that literally means "elder" and carries the meaning "leader and/or governor". It is commonly used to designate the front man of a tribe who got this title after his father, or an Islamic scholar who got this title after graduating from the basic Islamic school. Sheikha is the female equivalent, although these are uncommon in the Arabic world. A sheikh who is wise is called ḥakīm adjective (wise) حكيم, ḥākim noun (governor) حاكم, yaḥkum verb (govern) يحكم; and can govern. The scholar sheikh here can govern but cannot lead directly because the leader is the imam which is based upon the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah; on the other hand the family sheikh can always lead but cannot govern unless he is wise. Although the title generally refers to a male, a very small number of female sheikhs have also existed.[citation needed]
It also refers generally to a man over forty[1] or fifty[2] years of age. While even a new Muslim can be called a sheikh if he is diligent in seeking the knowledge of Islam based upon the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah, he can be referred to as such by those he teaches. Usually, a person is known as a sheikh when he has completed his undergraduate university studies in Islamic studies and is trained in giving lectures.[1] The word sheikh under this meaning is a synonym of Alim, pl. Ulama (a learned person in Islam, a scholar),[3] Mawlawi, Mawlānā, Muhaddith, Faqīh, Qadi, Mufti, Hadhrat or Hafiz.
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[edit] Etymology and meaning
The word in Arabic stems from a triliteral root connected with age and ageing: ش-ي-خ, shīn-yā'-khā'. The term literally means a man of old age, and it is used in that sense of all men in Qur'anic Arabic. Later it came to be a title meaning leader, elder, or noble, especially in the Arabian Peninsula, where shaikh became a traditional title of a Bedouin tribal leader in recent centuries. Due to the cultural impact of Arab civilization, and especially through the spread of Islam, the word has gained currency as a religious term or general honorific in many other parts of the world as well, notably in Muslim cultures in Africa and Asia.
While the title can be used religiously by Muslims to designate a learned person, as an Arabic word it is essentially independent of religion. It is notably used by Druze for their religious men, but also by Arab Christians for elder men of stature. Its usage and meaning is similar to the Latin senex meaning "old [man]", from which the Latin (and English) "senator" is derived. Accordingly, the Arabic term for most legislative bodies termed Senate (e.g. the United States Senate) is majlis al-shuyūkh, literally meaning "Council of Senators."
[edit] As a secular honorific
The title is sometimes more informally used to people who have a certain financial or political influence, but especially in relation to royalty and other nobility.
[edit] In the Arabian Peninsula region
In the Arabian Peninsula, the title is used for men of stature, whether they are managers in high posts, wealthy business owners, or local rulers. For example, it was the term used in the West to refer to the leaders of Kuwait's ruling al-Sabah dynasty, even though the monarchic style was actually Hakim (Arabic 'ruler') until June 19, 1961, when Kuwait joined the Arab League, and the title Emir was adopted. The same applied to Bahrain and Qatar. The term is used by almost every male member of all the Gulf royal houses with the exception of Saudi Arabia and Oman.
[edit] In the Maghreb region
During the Almohad dynasty, the Caliph was also counciled by a body of Shaykhs, representing all the different tribes under their rules, including Berbers, Arabs, Bedouins and Andalusians, they were also responsible for mobilizing their kinsmen in the event of war.[4]
[edit] Turkey
In the Turkish language, the form Şeyh is used. Means religious leader of a tariqah branch.
[edit] Lebanon
In Lebanon, the noble title of Sheikh was introduced in the beginning of the 16th century, when the Ottomans invaded the region and set a Prince for Lebanon (Fakhr-al-Din al-Maani was the first Prince of Lebanon), and Sheikhs replaced the previous noble title: Moukaddam, the known nobles before the 16th century. The Sheikh title was commonly used when addressing mainly the members of the traditional noble Maronite Christians families (Al-Daher in Akkar, Al-Khazen in Kesserwan, Al Khoury in Rechmaya El Metn, Al Dahdah in Jbeil, Hobeich in Ftouh Kesserwan, Tarabay in Jurd El Batroun, Gemayel in Bekfaya El Metn, Germanos in Jurd Jbeil, Al Hachem in Akoura, Al Doueihy in Zgharta, Al Saad in Aley...) but also Druzes in the southern part of Mount Lebanon (Joumblatt, Talhouk, Abd El Malek) and Shiites (Hamadeh in Jbeil). The term Sheikh was bestowed by the Emir (Prince) of Lebanon in a "Faramen of Mashiakha" allowing the persons in charge to represent the Emir in respective geographic parts of the Old Lebanon (the actual Mount Lebanon, and North Lebanon, excepting Tripoli city), their official duty was to collect the Mireh (Tax that was collected and offered to the Ottomans). Sheikhs were also considered as the political representatives and allies of the Prince, they recruited soldiers in times of war and commanded sections of the Prince army; their prestigious titles allowed them also to own large pieces of lands in the areas they represented. However, it was notable that ordinary people in the Emirate did have the right to land ownership and therefore economical autonomy, while many worked in the large lands of the Sheikhs. This title was naturally inherited, unless the Prince seize it and nominates another person from the same or other family, this situation happened few times in history when a new Prince takes over power. The Sheikhs official title became obsolete when the Prince effective ruling was vanished by the Ottomans in 1840 and the executive ruling was replaced by the Kaamakamiatein system of ruling. After this date, the name remained just as a honorable title. In the modern Lebanon, four presidents of the Republic are descendants from these traditional families: Sheikh Habib Pacha Es-Saad (was also a prime minister during the french Mandate), Sheikh Bechara El Khoury, Sheikh Bachir Gemayel and Sheikh Amine Gemayel. Also political leaders such as Walid Jumblatt, or Parliament previous or actual members such as: Estephane El Doueihi in Zgharta, Rushayd el Khazen Farid Haykal El Khazen Dr Farid El Khazen in Keserwan, Gabriel Germanos Nohad Germanos Soueid in Jbeil, Maurice Gemayel Pierre Gemayel Sami Gemayel in Metn, Fawzi Hobeich Hadi Hobeich in Akkar, Fouad Saad in Aley, and many others not listed here.
[edit] South Asia
In Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and other parts of South Asia, the title Sheikh signifies Arab descent and comes under high caste of society but majority are the local brahmins, rajput or gujjar communities who used the title of Sheikh after conversion to Islam. In Delhi it was used by the Persian Magi descendants who migrate from Persia because of Safavid persecution in 16th century. The Muslims of the Middle East and Central Asia have historically, travelled to South Asia as Sufis during the Islamic Sultanates and Mughal Empire and settled permanently and assumed Shaikh status.
[edit] Pakistan
In Pakistan the title is used for a caste (Community) well reputed and respected, mainly involved in business. Many of the popular personalities in Pakistan have been Sheikhs. The title Sheikh signifies Arab descent and comes under high caste of society. People who are Khawaja are Syeds by family.
[edit] Religious usage
The term is often used by Muslims to address learned men of various Islamic sciences, such as faqihs, muftis, and muhaddiths, and more generally to convey respect for religious authorities.
The term is and/or was also used in certain Islamic parts of Africa, as in imperial Ethiopia by the hereditary Muslim rulers of Bela Shangul, and by certain Muslim notables of Wollo, Tigray and Eritrea. In Somalia it revers to all learned men, in relegious way, mostly do they have also political might in their town/city or clan.
[edit] For women
A daughter or wife of a shaykh is sometimes called shaykhah (Arabic: شيخة). Currently, the term shaykhah is commonly used for females of rich families, especially ruling families, in Arab countries.
[edit] Surname
In Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, "Sheikh" is a common surname among Muslims, and generally indicates Arab ancestry
[edit] See also
- Kashmiri Shaikh
- Khawaja Shaikh
- Punjabi Shaikh
- Qallu
- Qanungoh Shaikh
- Quraishi
- Shaikh (caste)
- Siddiqui
- Sindhi Shaikh
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- Shaikh Siddiqui
- Shaikportal.com
- History of El Douaihy
- History of the Maronites and Lebanon
- "History of Lebanon" by Kamal Salibi
