{{ Questioner: As salaamu alaikum wa rahmatu ALLAH wa barakatahu; is it correct to apply the term Shaikh to everyone from amongst the people. Especially since this term has become widely used, so we hope for some clarity in this.

Shaikh Ibn al-Uthaymeen: The term Shaikh in the Arabic language is not used except upon the kabeer (elder), either due to their being elder in age, or senior due to the level of knowledge they possess, or due to his wealth, and what is similar to this - and it is not applied to the sagheer (little one, i.e. little in age, knowledge, etc.) But as you have stated, it has become widespread now such that the ignorant person or the one who doesn’t know anything is called “Shaikh”, and this in my view is not befitting.

Because if you applied to this person the term “Shaikh” and he is ignorant and doesn’t know, the people will be deceived by him. And they will think he has some knowledge with him, and they will consult him for fatwas (Islamic rulings) and other than that, and a great harm will result because of this.

And many of the people-we ask ALLAH to guide us and to guide them-they don’t mind to give a fatwa if they are asked, even if they answer without knowledge. Because he thinks that if he says, “I don’t know” this will decrease his status. But in reality if the person says about that which he does not know, “I don’t know”, then that is the completeness of his status. But the souls are accustomed to want to impress others, except those whom ALLAH the Mighty and Majestic protects from this. So what I see is that the term “Shaikh” is not applied except to those that deserve it, either by his age, or by his nobility, or due to sovereignty over his people, or because of his knowledge.

And in a like fashion some of the people apply the term “Imaam” to the common Scholars, even if this Scholar is from the blind followers, they say he is an “Imaam”.  And this also is not befitting, it’s befitting that the term “Imaam” should not be applied except on the one, who deserves to be an “Imaam”, and he has followers, and his statements are held in high regard amongst the Muslims.

And finally, you gave the salaams as did the brother before you when you wanted to ask a question, and this is not from the Sunnah. Because the companions, may ALLAH be pleased with them, when they wanted to present a question to the Messenger of ALLAH peace and blessings are upon him, they would not give him the salaams except for the one who was arriving at the sitting, this is the one who would give the salaams. }}

The above is a summary translation taken from www.salafitalk.net from www.Sahab.net

http://www.sahab.net/forums/showthread.php?t=337788
NOTE: So take heed O Muslim with regard to whom you call Shaikh. How easily people who either live in the West or come to the West are labelled with the term Shaikh - some even positively promoting themselves as Shaikhs and Imaams - yet they are unknown to the true Scholars with this term. It is not befitting that the likes of Abu Muslimah, Abu Usamamah adh-Dhahabee, Abdul-Haadi al-Omari, Omar Bakri, Abdullah Faisal, Zakir Naik, Siraj Wahhaj, Jamal Badawi, Bilal Philips, Yasir Qadhi, Hamza Yusuf, Nuh Haa Meem Keller, Abu Muntasir, Abu Aaliyah etc. be given these titles of Imaam or Shaikh or Mufti etc. None of them are qualified to receive these titles since all of them are ignorant (or feign ignorance) of the fundamentals of the Salafi da’wah and have opposed, to one degree or another, the methodology and creed of the early Salaf. We have others who ascribe to Salafiyyah, yet have no precedence except their own self-interest, they promote themselves as “Shaikhs”. Additionally, these people are sometimes portrayed as ‘Scholars’ and ‘Shaikhs’ to the general masses. So they promote themselves as being on the same level as Shaikh Al-Fawzaan, Shaikh Ahmad an-Najmee, Shaikh Abdullaah al-Ghudayaan, Shaikh Rabee’, Shaikh ‘Ubaid, etc. Some even go to the extent of belittling the true Scholars, yet never shying away from self-glorification. An example is Abu Usaamah adh-Dhahabee, referred to by his supporters in his presence as Shaikh and Imaam. He stated that Shaikh Muhammad ibn Haadee is NOT a scholar and should not be referred to as one, he is just a ’student of knowledge’. They also embarrass the institutions and universities of Saudi Arabia with their ignorance, causing the people, muslim and non-muslim alike to think that extremist and ignorant views are taught in these institutions, since some of these self-styled western “Shaikhs” are graduates. How true is statement that, ‘One bad apple spoils the whole bunch’! How many a simple person has been led astray by these individuals. Wallaahul-musta’aan.