Murshid
Encyclopedia
Murshid is Arabic for "guide" or "teacher". Particularly in Sufism
it refers to a Sufi teacher. The term is used by other branches of Islam as well, e.g. by the Nizari
s, the main school of Ismā‘īlī Shiites.
The path of Sufism starts when a student takes an oath of allegiance (Bai'ath) with a teacher. After this oath, the student is called a Murid
.
The Murshid's role is to guide and instruct the disciple on the Sufi path, by general lessons (called Suhbas) and individual guidance.
A Murshid usually has authorisations to be a teacher for one (or more) Tariqas (paths).
A tariqa may have more than one Murshid at a time. A Murshid is accorded that status by his murshid (Shaikh) by way of Khilafath:the process in which the Shaikh identifies one of his disciples as his successor, the Khalifa
. A Murshid can have more than one khalifa.
Other words that refer to a murshid include, Pir
and Sarkar.
Sufism
Sufism or ' is defined by its adherents as the inner, mystical dimension of Islam. A practitioner of this tradition is generally known as a '...
it refers to a Sufi teacher. The term is used by other branches of Islam as well, e.g. by the Nizari
Nizari
'The Shī‘a Imami Ismā‘īlī Tariqah also referred to as the Ismā‘īlī or Nizārī , is a path of Shī‘a Islām, emphasizing social justice, pluralism, and human reason within the framework of the mystical tradition of Islam. The Nizari are the second largest branch of Shia Islam and form the majority...
s, the main school of Ismā‘īlī Shiites.
The path of Sufism starts when a student takes an oath of allegiance (Bai'ath) with a teacher. After this oath, the student is called a Murid
Murid
Murid is a Sufi term meaning 'committed one' from the root meaning "willpower" or "self-esteem". It refers to a person who is committed to a Murshid in a Tariqa of Sufism. Also known as a Salik , a murid is an initiate into the mystic philosophy of Sufism. When the Talib makes a pledge to a...
.
The Murshid's role is to guide and instruct the disciple on the Sufi path, by general lessons (called Suhbas) and individual guidance.
A Murshid usually has authorisations to be a teacher for one (or more) Tariqas (paths).
A tariqa may have more than one Murshid at a time. A Murshid is accorded that status by his murshid (Shaikh) by way of Khilafath:the process in which the Shaikh identifies one of his disciples as his successor, the Khalifa
Caliph
The Caliph is the head of state in a Caliphate, and the title for the ruler of the Islamic Ummah, an Islamic community ruled by the Shari'ah. It is a transcribed version of the Arabic word which means "successor" or "representative"...
. A Murshid can have more than one khalifa.
Other words that refer to a murshid include, Pir
Pir (Sufism)
Pir or Peer is a title for a Sufi master equally used in the nath tradition. They are also referred to as a Hazrat or Shaikh, which is Arabic for Old Man. The title is often translated into English as "saint" and could be interpreted as "Elder". In Sufism a Pir's role is to guide and instruct his...
and Sarkar.