Shaikh

Shaikh an Arabic word meaning old, but precisely it means learned in Muslim law and theology. In this sense, the Shaikh is also an Alim, but Shaikhs are those Alims who are spiritually developed and help others attain spiritual development. Among the Muslims, Sufis are called Shaikhs. In India and Bengal, Sufis are called Shaikhs, Makhdums (a makhdum is one who is served), pirs and Murshids. In the inscriptions of the sultans of Bengal, sufis are mentioned by the words Shaikh and Makhdum; the word Pir was not found, because almost all inscriptions were inscribed in Arabic language. But among the common people in Bengal the word Pir was more admired than the word Shaikh. [Abdul Karim]