A Pir (Persian: پیر) meaning Old Man. Persian is an Indo-European language spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Southern Russia, neighboring countries, and elsewhere. ...

In Sufism it is a reference for a Sufi master. These people are also referred to as a Shaikh which is Arabic for Old Man as well, but refers to a Master. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Sufism (Arabic تصوف taṣawwuf) is a system of esoteric philosophy commonly associated with Islam. ... Shaikh (Arabic: شيخ ),(also rendered as Sheik, Shaykh or Sheikh) is a word in the Arabic language meaning elder of tribe, lord or a revered old man. ...

The path of Sufism starts when a student takes an oath of allegiance with a teacher called Bai'ath or Bay'ah (Arabic word meaning Transaction). After that, the student is called a Murid (Arabic word meaning committed one). This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A Murid MÜRÎD (Arabic: مريد ),willpower, self esteem, one of the 99 names of ALLAH ( الله ) also known as a Salik (Arabic: سالك ), is an initiate into the mystic philosophy of Sufism. ...

The Pir'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 Pir include, Murshid (Arabic word meaning teacher), Shaikh and Sarkar (Hindi/Urdu word meaning Lord). A Murshid is the teacher and guide to his disciples (Mureedh). ... Shaikh (Arabic: شيخ ),(also rendered as Sheik, Shaykh or Sheikh) is a word in the Arabic language meaning elder of tribe, lord or a revered old man. ...

A Pir usually has authorizations to be a teacher for one (or more) Tariqahs (paths). A Tariqah may have more than one Pir at a time. A Pir is accorded that status by his Shaikh by way of Khilafat or Khilafah (Arabic word meaning succession). Khilafat is the process in which a Shaikh identifies one of his disciples as his successor (khalifah). A Pir can have more than one khalifah. This article is in need of attention. ... Shaikh (Arabic: شيخ ),(also rendered as Sheik, Shaykh or Sheikh) is a word in the Arabic language meaning elder of tribe, lord or a revered old man. ... Caliph is the term or title for the Islamic leader of the Ummah, or community of Islam. ...