Shaikhs in South Asia

Shaikh, also rendered as Sheikh, Sheik, Shaik, Shaykh, Shaikh, Shekh, Cheikh, Šeih, Šejh, Şeyh and other variants (Arabic: شيخ‎, shaykh; pl. شيوخ‎ shuyūkh), is a word or honorific term in the Arabic language that literally means "elder." It is commonly used to designate an elder of a tribe, a revered wise man, or an Islamic scholar. Although the title generally refers to a male, a very small number of female sheikhs have also existed in history.

Pakistani Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jilani, a prominent Sunni scholar.

Origin

In South Asia it is not an ethnic title but an occupational title[1][2] generally attributed to Muslim trading families with rarely any Arab lineage. After the advent of Islam in South Asia, (Brahmins, Rajputs, Khatris, Kayasthas and vaishya) tribes also converted to Islam and adopted the title.[3][4][5]In Punjab, Pakistan the Hindu Brahmins, Kshatriya, Rathores, Bhattis, Chauhans, manihar and other Rajput converted by different Ismaili Pirs to Islam. Ismaili Pirs gave the new converts of Punjab the hereditary title of Shaikh as well as the Muslims who immigrated from Central Asia[6] and settled in Punjab adopted this title.

Sub-divisions

The subdivisions of the Shaikh include:

Notable people

See also

References
  1. Pakistan a country study. p. 149.
  2. Sociology of religion. p. 90.
  3. Muslim backward classes: a sociological perspective. p. 22.
  4. "Sheikhs in India". Retrieved 19 Jun 2020.
  5. Delage, Rémy (29 September 2014). Muslim Castes in India. ISSN 2105-3030.
  6. Central Asia in Retrospect and prospect. p. 406.
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