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Dervish, Darvesh, or Darwīsh (from Persian: درویش, romanized: Darvīsh)[1] in Islam can refer broadly to members of a Sufi fraternity (tariqah),[2][3][4] or more narrowly to a religious mendicant, who chose or accepted material poverty.[2][4][5] The latter usage is found particularly in Persian and Turkish (derviş) as well as in Tamazight (Aderwic), corresponding to the Arabic term faqīr.[2][4] Their focus is on the universal values of love and service, deserting the illusions of ego (nafs) to reach God. In most Sufi orders, a dervish is known to practice dhikr through physical exertions or religious practices to attain the ecstatic trance to reach God.[3] Their most popular practice is Sama, which is associated with the 13th-century mystic Rumi. In folklore and with adherents of Sufism, dervishes are often credited with the ability to perform miracles and ascribed supernatural powers.[6] Historically, the term Dervish has also been used more loosely, as the designation of various Islamic political movements or military entities.
Dervish, Arabic darwīsh, any member of a Ṣūfī (Muslim mystic) fraternity, or tariqa.