What is the best response to the aforementioned phrases when they are said to someone trying to adhere to religion, and what are the characteristics of one who deserves the title "shaykh"? And is it appropriate to respond to them by saying: "Seek forgiveness from Allah, I am not a shaykh, all I am doing is what is natural and what we all should be doing"?

These statements stem from ignorance and lack of religious commitment. Muslims must be taught not to confuse the fulfillment of religious obligations with specialization in religious sciences. The former is a duty upon every Muslim, while the latter is a communal obligation (fard al-kifaya). If the speaker means by the word "shaykh" a specialized scholar, then the mentioned model of response is suitable if he knows that what he is doing is obligatory. As for the ignorant of obligations and prohibitions, he needs gentleness to first teach him what Allah has enjoined and forbidden.