Pir (Sufism)
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A Pir (Persian: پیر) in literal meaning defines as old (person).
In Sufism it is a reference for a Sufi master. These people are also referred to as a Shaikh which is Arabic for Old Man as well, but refers to a Master.
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).
The 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 word meaning teacher), Shaikh and Sarkar (Hindi/Urdu word meaning Lord).
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.
