faqr

Faqr, sometimes spelled faqr or fakir, is an Arabic term that broadly means need, lack, or poverty. In Islamic thought, it is not solely about material poverty; it also denotes a spiritual state of dependence on the divine. The concept emphasizes that all provision originates from God and that the individual ego and worldly wealth are secondary. The idea appears in various Qur’anic and hadith-linked discussions, but it is most developed in Sufi thought, where faqr is a central ideal and a key part of the path toward closeness to God.

In Sufism, faqr is often described as a state of spiritual poverty or detachment from attachment to possessions, status, and the self. A true faqir seeks to align the will with God, practicing humility, service, and trust rather than grasping power or wealth. The opposite concept, ghina, refers to spiritual or worldly richness; the journey toward faqr involves inner transformation that transcends external fortune.

Faqir also serves as a label for a practitioner or ascetic. A faqir or fakir () is typically understood as a Sufi mystic or beggar who embodies dependence on God and relies on charity or communal support, rather than personal wealth. The term has traveled into Persian and South Asian literatures, where it frequently appears in poetry to express longing for the divine and the shedding of the ego.

Overall, faqr expresses a humility-centered approach to life, prioritizing spiritual surrender over material gain.