Pir: Difference between revisions

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A '''Pir''' or '''Peer''' is the name given in [[Punjabi]] / [[Urdu]] or a [[Muslim]] saint or Holy person. Pir (literally means an "old [person]") is commonly a title for a [[Sufi]] master. A 'peer' is also referred to as a Shaikh, which is Arabic for Old Man.  
A '''Pir''' or '''Peer''' or '''faqir''' is the name given in [[Punjabi]] / [[Urdu]] or a [[Muslim]] saint or Holy person. Pir (literally means an "old [person]") is commonly a title for a [[Sufi]] master. A 'peer' is also referred to as a Shaikh, which is Arabic for Old Man.  


The title is often translated into English as "saint". In [[Sufism]] a Pir's role is to guide and instruct his disciples on the Sufi path. This is often done by general lessons (called Suhbas) and individual guidance.  
The title is often translated into English as "saint". In [[Sufism]] a Pir's role is to guide and instruct his disciples on the Sufi path. This is often done by general lessons (called Suhbas) and individual guidance.  
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A Pir usually has authorizations to be a teacher for one (or more) Tariqahs (paths). A Tariqah may have more than one Pir at a time. A Pir is accorded that status by his Shaikh by way of Khilafat or Khilafah (Arabic word meaning succession). Khilafat is the process in which a Shaikh identifies one of his disciples as his successor (khalifah). A Pir can have more than one khalifah.
A Pir usually has authorizations to be a teacher for one (or more) Tariqahs (paths). A Tariqah may have more than one Pir at a time. A Pir is accorded that status by his Shaikh by way of Khilafat or Khilafah (Arabic word meaning succession). Khilafat is the process in which a Shaikh identifies one of his disciples as his successor (khalifah). A Pir can have more than one khalifah.


A Fakir or Faqir means poor generally referring to a monastic someone who gives up worldly things to live such as a saintly life in poverty.


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Latest revision as of 21:54, 11 February 2012

A Pir or Peer or faqir is the name given in Punjabi / Urdu or a Muslim saint or Holy person. Pir (literally means an "old [person]") is commonly a title for a Sufi master. A 'peer' is also referred to as a Shaikh, which is Arabic for Old Man.

The title is often translated into English as "saint". In Sufism a Pir's role is to guide and instruct his disciples on the Sufi path. This is often done by general lessons (called Suhbas) and individual guidance.

Other words that refer to a Pir include, Murshid (Arabic: مرشد‎, meaning "guide" or "teacher"), Sheikh and Sarkar (Persian/Hindi/Urdu word meaning Master, Lord).

The path of Sufism starts when a student takes an oath of allegiance with a teacher called Bai'ath or Bay'ah (Arabic word meaning Transaction). After that, the student is called a Murid (Arabic word meaning committed one).

A Pir usually has authorizations to be a teacher for one (or more) Tariqahs (paths). A Tariqah may have more than one Pir at a time. A Pir is accorded that status by his Shaikh by way of Khilafat or Khilafah (Arabic word meaning succession). Khilafat is the process in which a Shaikh identifies one of his disciples as his successor (khalifah). A Pir can have more than one khalifah.

A Fakir or Faqir means poor generally referring to a monastic someone who gives up worldly things to live such as a saintly life in poverty.