Fakir

A fakir, also spelled faqir, is a term of Arabic origin used across the Islamic world and especially in South Asia to describe a Muslim ascetic who renounces worldly possessions to seek God. In Sufism, a fakir is a practitioner who embraces spiritual poverty and dependence on the divine. In South Asia the term frequently refers to wandering religious mendicants who beg for alms while teaching or praising God.

Origin and meaning: The word derives from Arabic faqir meaning "poor" or "needy," from faqr "poverty." In Persian, Urdu and Hindi usage, fakir is used both as a religious designation and as a broad descriptor for mendicants. It can denote male or female adherents, though the masculine forms fakir or faqir are most common in transliteration.

Practice and social role: Fakirs traditionally pursue ascetic disciplines, dhikr (remembrance of God), meditation, and charity. Some are associated with Sufi orders and serve as spiritual guides or exemplars within local communities. In the Indian subcontinent, many fakirs are linked to saints and shrines (dargahs), where followers seek blessings, hear devotional poetry, and participate in music such as qawwali.

Modern usage and perception: In everyday language, "fakir" may simply mean a beggar, though within religious contexts it retains the sense of spiritual poverty and devotion. The term appears across several languages and regions, with meanings and connotations varying by tradition.

See also: Sufism; Dervish; Mendicant; Fakir (disambiguation).