Shaykh al-Islām (شيخ الإسلام) was used in the classifical era as an honorific title for outstanding scholars of the Islamic sciences It first emerged in Khurasan towards the end of the 4th Islamic century. In the central and western lands of Islam, it was an informal title given to jurists whose fatwas were particularly influential, while in the east it came to be conferred by rulers to ulama who played various official roles but were not generally muftis. Sometimes, as in the case of Ibn Taymiyya, the use of the title was subject of controversy. Later it became a prestigious position in the Ottoman Empire which governed religious affairs of Muslims. Modern times have seen this function carried out by Grand Muftis appointed or elected in a variety of ways.