Is it permissible to use the term Shaykh for anyone?
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The questioner : May the peace and mercy of Allah be upon you, esteemed Shaykh: Is it permissible to use the term Shaykh for every person, especially since this term has become widespread? I ask for clarification on this matter.
The Shaykh : The word Shaykh in the Arabic language is not used for anyone but the great, whether great in age, or great in status due to his knowledge, wealth, or the like, and it is not used for the young. However, as I said, it has now become widespread to the point that one who is ignorant or knows nothing is almost titled Shaykh. In my view, this is not befitting, because if you call this person a Shaykh while he is ignorant and knows nothing, people will be deceived by him and think that he has knowledge, so they will turn to him for fatwas and other matters, and this results in great harm. Many people, may Allah guide us and them, do not care if they are asked to issue a fatwa even without knowledge, because they think that if they say, "I do not know," it is a deficiency in their right. In reality, if a person says, "I do not know," regarding what he does not know, that is perfection in his right. But souls are inclined to love showing off, except those whom Allah protects.
Therefore, what I see is that the word Shaykh should not be used except for one who deserves it, either for his age, or for his honor and leadership among his people, or for his knowledge. This is similar to how some people now use the word Imam for the general scholars, even if this scholar is one who follows a madhhab without independent reasoning; they say he is an Imam. This also is not befitting. It is not befitting to use the term Imam except for one who deserves to be an Imam, has followers, and whose opinion is considered among the Muslims.
The Shaykh : The word Shaykh in the Arabic language is not used for anyone but the great, whether great in age, or great in status due to his knowledge, wealth, or the like, and it is not used for the young. However, as I said, it has now become widespread to the point that one who is ignorant or knows nothing is almost titled Shaykh. In my view, this is not befitting, because if you call this person a Shaykh while he is ignorant and knows nothing, people will be deceived by him and think that he has knowledge, so they will turn to him for fatwas and other matters, and this results in great harm. Many people, may Allah guide us and them, do not care if they are asked to issue a fatwa even without knowledge, because they think that if they say, "I do not know," it is a deficiency in their right. In reality, if a person says, "I do not know," regarding what he does not know, that is perfection in his right. But souls are inclined to love showing off, except those whom Allah protects.
Therefore, what I see is that the word Shaykh should not be used except for one who deserves it, either for his age, or for his honor and leadership among his people, or for his knowledge. This is similar to how some people now use the word Imam for the general scholars, even if this scholar is one who follows a madhhab without independent reasoning; they say he is an Imam. This also is not befitting. It is not befitting to use the term Imam except for one who deserves to be an Imam, has followers, and whose opinion is considered among the Muslims.