السُّقَفَاءَ

in the saying of El-Hajjáj, إِيَّاىَوَهٰذِهِ ألسُّقَفَاءَ [Beware ye of me with respect to these سقفاء], (S, K, * TA,) is [said to be] a word of which the meaning is unknown: (S:) Kt says, “ I have asked often respecting it, and no one knew it: ” but according to Z, as is related by IAth, (TA,) it is said to be a mistranscription for الشُّفَعَاء, (K, * TA,) plural of شَفِيعٌ; (TA;) for they used to assemble in the presence of the Sultán and intercede for him who was suspected, (K, TA,) and for criminals; and he [i. e. El-Hajjáj] forbade their doing that. (TA.)