Peer or Pir ( fa, پیر, lit=elder) is a title for a

Sufi Sufism ( ar, ''aṣ-ṣūfiyya''), also known as Tasawwuf ( ''at-taṣawwuf''), is a mystic body of religious practice, found mainly within Sunni Islam but also within Shia Islam, which is characterized by a focus on Islamic spirituality, r ...

spiritual guide. They are also referred to as a '' Hazrat'' (from ar, حضرة, Haḍra) and ''

Sheikh Sheikh (pronounced or ; ar, شيخ ' , mostly pronounced , plural ' )—also transliterated sheekh, sheyikh, shaykh, shayk, shekh, shaik and Shaikh, shak—is an honorific title in the Arabic language. It commonly designates a chief of a ...

'' or

Shaykh Sheikh (pronounced or ; ar, شيخ ' , mostly pronounced , plural ' )—also transliterated sheekh, sheyikh, shaykh, shayk, shekh, shaik and Shaikh, shak—is an honorific title in the Arabic language. It commonly designates a chief of a ...

, which is literally the Arabic equivalent. The title is often translated into English as "saint." In

Sufism Sufism ( ar, ''aṣ-ṣūfiyya''), also known as Tasawwuf ( ''at-taṣawwuf''), is a mystic body of religious practice, found mainly within Sunni Islam but also within Shia Islam, which is characterized by a focus on Islamic spirituality ...

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'' ( ar, مرشد, lit=guide, mentor) and ''Sarkar'' ( fa, سرکار, lit=master, lord). The title ''Peer Baba'' (from fa, بابا, lit=father) is common in the

Indian subcontinent The Indian subcontinent is a physiographical region in Southern Asia. It is situated on the Indian Plate, projecting southwards into the Indian Ocean from the Himalayas. Geopolitically, it includes the countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, In ...

used as a salutation to Sufi masters or similarly honored persons. After their death, people visit their tombs or mausolea, referred to as dargah or maqbara. The path of Sufism starts when a student takes an oath of allegiance with a teacher called ''Bai'at'' or '' Bay'ah'' (Arabic word meaning "transaction") where he swears allegiance at the hands of his Pir and repents of all his previous sins. After that, the student is called a Murid (Arabic word meaning committed one). From here, his batin (esoteric) journey starts. A Pir usually has authorizations to be a teacher for one (or more)

tariqah A tariqa (or ''tariqah''; ar, :wikt:طريقة, طريقة ') is a school or order of Sufism, or specifically a concept for the mystical teaching and spiritual practices of such an order with the aim of seeking ''haqiqa'', which translates as "u ...

s. A tariqah may have more than one Pir at a time. A Pir is accorded that status by his Sheikh by way of ''Khilafat'' or '' Khilafah'' (Arabic word meaning "succession"), a process in which the Pir identifies one of his disciples as his successor, which may be more than one.

See also

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