BENEFIT 189: Usages of the term "Sheikh"

Question: Some brothers criticise your use of the term "Sheikh" for certain visitors, especially when it appears from their speech that they are not deserving of it. Sheikh Abu 'Amr ḥafidhahullāh responds: We only use this term when we do not know the person well and some brothers have already referred to him as such, or if he is elderly. My brother, it is customary to call an elderly person "Sheikh," even if he is a layman. {وأبونا شيخ كبير} "Our elderly father is a Sheikh" One might have efforts in [propagating] Da'wah. We have seen scholars refer to people with such efforts "Sheikh," even if they lack substantial knowledge or cannot speak well. Thus, if a person is elderly or has made commendable efforts, the term may be used. Abu Qilābah referred to the Imam of their masjid as “our Sheikh” in a hadith in Sahih Al-Bukhari. Some even say that anyone who leads people in prayer can be called "Sheikh." Therefore, brother, the issue of calling someone "Sheikh" is not as significant as you think. When Abu Ḥātim refers to someone as "Sheikh", or when a narrator is called "Sheikh," it indicates that he may may be used in supporting narrations. Today, some use the term for those with knowledge, from the people of knowledge and Sunnah, or for someone elderly, or for those with commendable efforts. Nonetheless, we do not like to be lenient with this term except as you have heard. @almanhajussalafi