Which word, originally the name of a fanatical sect, comes from an Arabic term meaning a consumer of hashish?

Introduction / Context:
Etymology based questions test your knowledge of how modern words evolved from older languages and historical contexts. Many English words related to politics, religion, and conflict have origins in Arabic or other languages. One such word, now commonly used to describe a hired or professional killer, originally referred to a fanatical medieval sect and is believed to derive from an Arabic expression for a consumer of hashish. The question asks you to identify that word.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The word is now used as a common term in English. • It originally named a fanatical sect. • Its origin is linked to an Arabic term meaning a consumer of hashish. • Options include Dervish, Assassin, Caliph, Emir, and Sheikh.

Concept / Approach:
Historical accounts of the medieval Nizari Ismaili sect describe a group sometimes called the Hashashin by their enemies, a term related to the use of hashish in legends about their initiation rituals. European chroniclers later adapted this name into the word assassin, first to refer specifically to members of this group and gradually to refer to any hired killer. Therefore, the modern English word assassin is widely understood to derive from this Arabic expression and from the reputation of this sect, even though the exact historical details are debated.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the connection between a fanatical sect and the consumption of hashish. Step 2: Remember that the term Hashashin, used by medieval sources, is often linked to the word assassin. Step 3: Examine the options and locate Assassin among them. Step 4: Recognise that Dervish, Caliph, Emir, and Sheikh are titles or religious terms without this specific hashish related origin. Step 5: Select Assassin as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Etymological references and historical studies note that the English term assassin is believed to come from the medieval nickname for the Nizari Ismailis, often written as Hashashin, which has been interpreted as hashish users or consumers of hashish. While scholars debate the extent to which the group actually used hashish, the linguistic link remains widely accepted in popular and exam oriented accounts. These references clearly connect the fanatical sect label with the modern word assassin, confirming that Assassin is the appropriate choice in this question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
• Dervish refers to a member of a Sufi religious order and is not connected to hashish or the Nizari sect. • Caliph is a title for the political and religious successor to the Prophet in Islamic history and has a different origin. • Emir denotes a commander or prince in Arabic speaking regions and has its own distinct root. • Sheikh is a term for an elder, tribal leader, or learned person, without the hashish related etymology described in the question.

Common Pitfalls:
• Overthinking the religious titles and assuming any Arabic term must fit, without focusing on the hashish association. • Confusing Assassin with generic words for leaders like Emir or Caliph because all come from the Middle Eastern context. • Ignoring the specific clue fanatical sect, which strongly points to the group historically linked with the word assassin.

Final Answer:
The word that originally named a fanatical sect and comes from an Arabic term meaning a consumer of hashish is Assassin.