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Glite Dictionary
pir

pir

1 9.9
A respected Muslim spiritual leader who gives advice and blessings, especially in South Asia
  • noun
  • Indian
translation icon : pir
  • As a result of exhortations from Pir Jamaat Ali Shah, Ittehad-i-Millat started a mass-contact campaign giving birth to communal rifts and religious conflicts in the Punjab Province.
  • Pir Mohamed

Examples

  • I'll ask Pir Mohamed to type a sick leave application for you.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • In South Asian culture, a pir often acts as a mediator between the divine and his followers.

  • Oh, I thought I saw Pir Naseem.

    West Is West (2010)

  • And this is Pir Naseem.

    West Is West (2010)

  • Pir Mohamed said it was unnecessary, but I insisted because you had asked me to.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • "They don't like me, sir, you know that, especially Pir Mohamed sahib," she whines, letting go of her initial shyness.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • Pir Jamaat Ali Shah presided over a public meeting of about 60,000 people at the Mochi Gate in Lahore.

    Academic text (2018)

  • Pir Jamaat Ali Shah is widely respected as a pir among the community for his wisdom.

  • Many people seek guidance from their pir to find spiritual direction in difficult times.

Synonyms

Khoja
vspir
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A respectful title for a teacher or religious leader in Central and South Asia

is a term for an elder guide rather than a formal honorific
murshid
vspir
9.9

A spiritual guide in Sufi Islam who leads people on their inner path

is an elder guide term with special use in South Asian communities

Surface Forms

pir singular
pirs plural

Etymology

Pir comes from Persian pir, which means 'old' or 'elder' and was used for a respected teacher. So a pir is a Sufi spiritual guide, like a wise elder people visit for advice and blessings.