An elder, religious authority, or head of an order; in the ghazal often the orthodox, worldly cleric set against the lover.
Literally: elder, chief, religious elder
The shaikh in Iqbal's verse frequently figures the legalistic, hypocritical religiosity opposed to true love. He plays the conventional shaikh-versus-rind contrast, exposing the cleric who has the form of faith but not its fire.
Zaahid
The ascetic or abstinent pietist who shuns worldly pleasure; in the ghazal a figure of dry, often self-righteous renunciation.
Waaiz
The preacher or homilist who admonishes from the pulpit; in the ghazal a figure of hollow exhortation.
Mullah
A Muslim cleric or learned man of religion; in poetry often the narrow, literalist scholar lacking inner spirit.
Brahman
A Hindu priest of the highest caste who tends the temple and its rites.