What is a dervish in Islam?

Q: What is a dervish in Islam?

A: A dervish in Islam is a type of Sufi who lives a Muslim ascetic way or "Tariqah".

Q: What does the word "Darvesh" mean?

A: The word "Darvesh" is a variation of the word "Dervish" and is derived from the Persian language meaning "poor".

Q: How does the lifestyle of a dervish differ from others?

A: The lifestyle of a dervish is very simple as they are poor and live an ascetic lifestyle.

Q: Can we equate a dervish with a mendicant friar?

A: Yes, a dervish in Islam can be compared to mendicant friars in Christianity as they both live a life of poverty.

Q: Is "Tariqah" an essential part of a dervish's life?

A: Yes, "Tariqah" is an essential part of a dervish's life as it is a way of living an Islamic asceticism.

Q: Which other religions have mendicant orders like Christianity?

A: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism also have mendicant orders like Christianity.

Q: How is the lifestyle of a dervish similar to that of a Hindu/Buddhist/Jain sadhu?

A: The lifestyle of a dervish is similar to that of a Hindu/Buddhist/Jain sadhu in the sense that both live a life of simplicity and austerity.