Definition of fakir

The word "fakir" originates from the Urdu and Punjabi language spoken in South Asia, specifically in the Indian subcontinent and the neighboring regions that are now part of Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is also spelled as "faqir" in various transliterated forms in English. The term "fakir" has its roots in the Arabic language, where it means "poor" or "needy". It was adopted into Urdu and Persian during the medieval period as a religious and spiritual term. Fakirs were originally ascetic Muslims who renounced worldly possessions and devoted themselves to worshiping and serving God. They did not charge for their spiritual guidance or services, and subsisted by begging or cultivating the land themselves. In Sufi Islam, a branch of Islamic mysticism, fakirs are revered as spiritual guides or teachers. They emphasize the importance of inner purity, humility, and introspection, as opposed to strict adherence to external religious rituals and ceremonies. Some fakirs also practice folkAH religion, which combines elements of Sufism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, and is syncretic in nature. The word "fakir" has also gained broader cultural significance beyond its religious context, particularly in South India, where it is used as a generic term for ordinary people, especially those who rely on agriculture or other manual labor for their livelihood. In this context, "fakir" doesn't necessarily connote religious connotation, but rather denotes humility, simplicity, and a lack of material possessions. In conclusion, the word "fakir" originated from the Arabic word for "poor" and has been adopted into Urdu and Persian with the meaning of "poor", "needy" or "spiritual guide". Its religious and cultural connotations have evolved over time, and it is now used as a term for renunciate mystics, ordinary people, and a linguistic constriction in various South Asian dialects.