Editing Sheikh (section)

{{short description|Arabic and Islamic honorific title}}
{{about||the city in Somaliland|Sheikh, Somaliland|other uses}}
{{redirect|Cheikh}}
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'''Sheikh''' ({{IPAc-en|ʃ|eɪ|k|,_|ʃ|iː|k}} {{respell|SHAYK|,_|SHEEK}},<ref>{{cite OED|sheikh}}</ref> {{langx|ar|شَيْخ|shaykh}} {{IPA|ar|ʃajx|}}, {{small|commonly}} {{IPA|ar|ʃeːχ|}}, {{small|[[plural]]:}} {{lang|ar|شُيُوخ}}, ''shuyūkh'' {{IPA|ar|ʃujuːx|}}){{efn|Also romanized '''sheekh''', '''sheyikh''', '''shaykh''', '''shayk''', '''shekh''', '''shaik''', '''shaikh''', and '''cheique'''}} is an [[honorific]] title in the [[Arabic]] language, literally meaning "[[elder (administrative title)|elder]]". It commonly designates a [[tribal chief]] or a Muslim [[ulama|scholar]]. Though this title generally refers to men, there are also a small number of female sheikhs in history. The title '''''Syeikha''''' or '''''Sheikha''''' generally refers to women.

In some countries, it is given as a [[surname]] to those of great knowledge in religious affairs, by a prestigious religious leader from a [[silsila|chain]] of [[Sufi]] scholars. The word is mentioned in the [[Qur'an]] in three places: verse 72 of [[Hud (surah)|Hud]], 78 of [[Yusuf (surah)|Yusuf]], and 23 of [[al-Qasas]].

A royal family member of the [[United Arab Emirates]] and some other Arab countries, also has this title, since the ruler of each emirate is also the sheikh of their tribe.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://webconte.com/community/sheikh|title=Sheikh Community, Islam Religion, Middle East| website= webconte.com| publisher= | accessdate=}}</ref>