Shaykh al-Islam (Arabic: شيخ الإسلام) (English: "the Elder of Islam" or "the Master of Islam") is a title of respect for outstanding scholars of Islam. The title may also be used for the chief expert in Islamic Law of a city or kingdom.
The title shaykh al-Islam was reserved for very few scholars. Usually those with the greatest merits. Al-Sakhawi defines it as follows:
"The term shaykh al-Islam, as inferred from its use as a term among the authorities, is a title attributed to that follower of the book of Allah Most High, and the example of His messenger, who possesses the knowledge of the principles of the science [of religion], has plunged deep into the different views of the scholars, has become able to extract the legal evidences from the texts, and has understood the rational and the transmitted proofs at a satisfactory level."