<P> The word in Arabic stems from a triliteral root connected with age and aging: ش - ي - خ, shīn - yā' - khā' . The term literally means a man of vast power, and nobility, and it is used strictly for the royal families of the Middle East . The title carries the meaning leader, elder, or noble, especially in the Arabian Peninsula within the Tribes of Arabia, where shaikh became a traditional title of a Bedouin tribal leader in recent centuries . Due to the cultural impact of Arab civilization, and especially through the spread of Islam, the word has gained currency as a religious term or general honorific in many other parts of the world as well, notably in Muslim cultures in Africa and Asia . </P> <P> In Islamic Sufism, the word Shaikh is used to represent a wali who initiates a particular tariqa which leads to Muhammad, although many saints have this title added before their names out of respect from their followers . One prominent example is Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, who initiated the Qadiriyya order which relies strongly upon adherence to the fundamentals of Islam . </P> <P> In the Arabian Peninsula, the title is used for royalty, such as kings, princes, and princesses . For example, it was the term used in the West to refer to the leaders of Kuwait's ruling Al - Sabah dynasty, and in UAE Al - Nahyan dynasty . The same applies to all the Gulf countries . The term is used by almost every male and female (Sheikha) member of all the Gulf royal houses . </P> <P> In Mount Lebanon, the title had the same princely and royal connotation as in the Arabian peninsula until the Ottoman invasion in 1516 since it represented an indigenous autonomous "sui iuris" ruler or tribal chief . An example of an ancient families that holds the title of "sui iuris" sheikh is the Al - Chemor family ruling since 1211 CE in Koura and Zgharta until 1747 CE, Abu Harmoush family which ruled the Chouf region until the Battle of Ain Dara in 1711 CE and El - Cheikh Moussa family in Beirut . After the Ottoman rule and the implementation of the Iltizam system, the title gained a noble instead of royal connotation since it was bestowed by a higher authority, in this case the Ottoman appointed Emir who was nothing more than a mültezim or tax collector for the empire . Some very influential Maronite families - who had the title bestowed upon them in chronological order - are El Hachem of Akoura (descendants of The Hashemite Family, since 1523), El - Khazen (since 1545), Hubaysh of Kisrawan, and Douaihy of Zgharta . Other families who are nowadays addressed or known as "Sheikhs" were not traditionally rulers of provinces, but instead they were high - ranking officials at the service of the Emir at that time . </P>

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