Which of the following is NOT a term used to denote the 'sufi' master teacher?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Murid
Option (1) Pir — A term for the master. The teaching master who controlled the khanqah was called pir in Persian.
Option (2) Shaikh — A term for the master. In Arabic the same master was called shaikh.
Option (3) Murshid — A term for the master. Murshid is the other Persian term for him.
Option (4) Murid — Not a term for the master. The murids were the disciples whom the master enrolled; his chosen successor was called the khalifa.
NCERT (2026-27): “6.1 Khanqahs and silsilas … By the eleventh century Sufism evolved into a welldeveloped movement with a body of literature on Quranic studies and sufi practices. Institutionally, the sufis began to organise communities around the hospice or khanqah (Persian) controlled by a teaching master known as shaikh (in Arabic), pir or murshid (in Persian). He enrolled disciples (murids) and appointed a successor (khalifa).…” |