rohani

Rohani is a term used across several languages and cultures, typically relating to spirit, soul, or spirituality. In Persian, from which the word originates, it is connected to the concept of ruh or soul. In Urdu and Hindi, rohani functions as an adjective and noun meaning spiritual, mystical, or pertaining to the soul. It appears in religious and everyday language, in contexts ranging from devotional topics to descriptions of practices believed to influence the inner life.

In South Asia, rohani often appears in discussions of spirituality and mysticism, and in reference to traditional practices such as rohani ilaj, or spiritual healing. The term can be associated with Sufi thought, devotional poetry, and guidance from spiritual leaders. Because of its broad usage, rohani can denote both mainstream religious sensibilities and practices that are controversial or outside formal medicine.

Malay- and Indonesian-speaking communities also use the term, with rohani serving a similar meaning of spiritual or non-material matters. In these regions, rohani is widely found in cultural products such as religious songs, education, and community life, sometimes appearing in the phrase musik rohani to describe religious or spiritual music.

Rohani is also a surname and a given-name variant in Iran and other Persian-speaking areas. Transliterations vary, with Rouhani, Rohani, and Rohani among the common spellings in English. A well-known bearer is Hassan Rouhani, the Iranian politician who served as president from 2013 to 2021; transliteration differences reflect broader regional practices in rendering Persian names into Latin script.