II. Sovereign
2.9 Sufi Law Form
Article 94 - Shaikh (Sheikh)
The term Shaikh (Sheikh) is a title first introduced as the leader of the Druze movement within Islam during the 11th Century. It is derived from two ancient Persian words shah being the shortened official title of a King of Persia from the time of the Achaemenid Empire and King Cyrus the Great (559-530 BCE) and the word ikh meaning “great, noble”. Hence, the literal meaning of sha(h)ik is “great and noble king/savior”.
The term Shaikh (Sheikh) was reclaimed as a singular royal and religious title by Muhammad Ibn Abd-al-Wahab the 18th Century founding patriarch of the House of Saud and religious leader of breakaway Sabbatean Cult known as Wahabism.
In honor of the true teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and in accordance with these Canons, the title of Shaikh (Sheikh) is forbidden, reprobate, to be suppressed and not permitted to be revived.