SHĀH (شاه). Persian. “A King.” A title usually given to members of the Ascetic order, and to Saiyids, as Faqīr Shāh, Akbar Shāh. It has, however, become a common addition to surnames, both in India and other countries, and no longer denotes a position of dignity.
SHAHĀDAH (شهادة). “Evidence.” [[WITNESSES].] Martyrdom. [[MARTYRS].]
SHAHĪD (شهيد). [[MARTYRS], [WITNESS].]
ASH-SHAHĪD (الشهيد). “The Witness.” One of the ninety-nine names or attributes of God. It frequently occurs in the Qurʾān for the Almighty (e.g. [Sūrah iii. 93]) as one who seeth all things.
SHĀHINSHĀH (شاهنشاه). A Persian title given to the King of Persia—“King of Kings.” It is a title strictly forbidden in Traditions, in which it is related that Muḥammad said “ ‘King of Kings’ is the vilest name you can call a man, for there is no other King of Kings but God.” (Mishkāt, book xxii. ch. viii.)
SHAIK͟H (شيخ), pl. shuyūk͟h, ashyāk͟h, or mashāyik͟h. A venerable old man. A man above fifty years of age. A man of authority. A superior of an order of Darweshes. Shayk͟hu ʾl-Islām, a title given to the chief Maulawī or Qāẓī of the cities of Constantinople, Cairo, Damascus, &c.
SHAIT̤ĀN (شيطان). [[DEVIL].]
SHAJJAH (شجة), pl. shijāj. [[WOUNDS].]
SHAKING HANDS. Arabic muṣāfaḥah (مصافحة). Is enjoined in the Traditions, and is founded upon the express example of Muḥammad himself.
Al-Barāʾ ibn ʿĀzib says the Prophet said, “There are no two Muslims who meet and shake hands but their sins will be forgiven them before they separate.” (Mishkāt, book xxii. ch. iii.)