Murid

Murīd is a term with multiple meanings in Islamic and Southeast Asian contexts. In Arabic, murīd (مريد) means "one who desires" or "seeker" and is used for someone who pursues a path or goal. In Sufi contexts, a murīd is a disciple of a spiritual guide, or shaykh, who undertakes training on the Sufi path and follows the sheikh's guidance. The term emphasizes intention and commitment rather than rank.

In Malay and Indonesian usage, murīd is the common word for "student" or "pupil." It is used across schools and religious education and can be joined as murid-murid for the plural. It is distinct from more formal terms like pelajar or siswa but is widely understood in everyday language, including in religious settings where students study the Qur'an or other subjects.

In Sufism, the murīd undergoes spiritual mentorship, often as part of a tariqa (Sufi order). The murīd pledges to the murshid or shaykh and engages in training that may include remembrance of God (dhikr), moral discipline, and guidance designed to advance toward spiritual realization. The relationship is typically characterized by trust, obedience, and a lineage (silsilah) that connects the murīd to a chain of teachers.

See also: discipleship, tasawwuf, tariqa, murshid, student.