Sheikh

Sheikh ( , Arabic: شَيْخ, romanized: shaykh, commonly, plural:شُيُوخ, shuyūkh) is an honorific title in the Arabic language, literally meaning "elder". It commonly designates a tribal chief or a Muslim scholar.

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.

Royal family members of the United Arab Emirates and some other Arab countries also have this title, since the ruler of each emirate is also the sheikh of their tribe.