Murshid
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A Murshid (Arabic and Persian: مرشد) is a Sufi teacher. The path of Sufism starts when a student takes an oath of alleigance with a teacher (called Bai'ath). After that, the student is called a Murid.
The Murshid'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 murshid include, Pir, Shaikh and Sarkar.
A Murshid usually has authorisations to be a teacher for one (or more) Tariqas (paths). A tariqa may have more than one Murshid at a time. A Murshid is accorded that status by his Shaikh by way of Khilafath. Khilafath is the process in which a Shaikh identifies one of his disciples as his successor (Khalifa). A Murshid can have more than one khalifa.
See also
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