A dervish, also spelled darvesh, darwēsh, or darwīsh (in Persian: درویش, romanized: Darwēš), is a Muslim who seeks spiritual freedom through simple living and meditation. The term can describe a single person or someone who belongs to a Sufi group, called a tariqah. Dervishes focus on values like love and helping others, while trying to move past the idea of self (called nafs) to connect with God. This often involves living a life with very few physical needs to gain deep spiritual understanding, similar to what is called "esoteric knowledge" in Western terms. In most Sufi groups, dervishes practice dhikr, which includes physical activities or religious rituals to reach a joyful spiritual state and connect with God. One of their most well-known practices is Sama, a tradition linked to the 13th-century mystic Rumi.

For many years, these practices were done alone, but in the 12th century, they became more common in groups. The oldest known group is the Qadiriyya order, created by Abdul Qadir Gilani. According to Islamic beliefs, all such groups trace their history back to the prophet Muhammad and are approved by God (Allah) and taught by the angel Gabriel. The beliefs of these groups are based on Sufism and can range from quiet, private practices to ones that challenge traditional rules. People who follow religious laws are called ba-shar, while those who do not follow strict laws are called bi-shar. In stories and traditions, dervishes are sometimes said to have the ability to perform miracles or have special powers.

Etymology

The true origin of the word "dervish" is not known. The New Persian word "darwēš" may come from the Middle Persian word "drayōš," which means "poor" or "needy." Another idea suggests the word is made from "dar," meaning "door," and "awēz," meaning "hanging," which could describe someone who "hangs around doors," like a beggar. However, this explanation does not match the meaning of "drayōš."

These possible meanings are considered folk etymologies, which are popular but not proven explanations. There is no strong connection between begging and the role of a dervish. Some say a "true dervish" does not beg.

Because the origins of the word are unclear in Persian dictionaries and is mostly used in Central Asian, Turkish, and Persian cultures, some scholars believe the term may come from Turco-Buddhist traditions. It might be linked to Old Turkic words like "dharani" and "arvis," which refer to people who practiced magic, healing, and performed miracles.

Religious practice

Dervishes seek to connect with God through personal virtues and spiritual experiences, not through religious study. Many dervishes are mendicant ascetics who live simply and have vowed to remain poor, unlike mullahs. They beg to practice humility, but they are not allowed to keep the money they receive. Instead, they must give it to others in need. Some dervishes work in regular jobs, such as fishing, like the Egyptian Qadiriyya, known as Kadiri in Turkey.

A study of dervishes among Bedouins shows how they are chosen to become dervishes. It is believed that God selects them, not the other way around. This selection happens through a spiritual blessing called barakah, which may occur during a dream or a meeting with an angel. Barakah often comes after facing challenges from evil forces, which may involve suffering. If a dervish betrays God, they may lose this blessing.

Dervishes also act as exorcists and healers. They are believed to sense evil spirits, like jinn and devils, using spiritual abilities. Exorcism may involve talking to or confronting these spirits in the spiritual world.

Some classical writers explain that a dervish’s poverty is not about money. Saadi, a writer who traveled as a dervish, wrote in his Gulistan:

"Having a robe, rosary, or worn clothing is not important. If you avoid evil, you do not need to wear a felt hat. Be a dervish in your heart, and you may wear any hat."

Rumi, in Book 1 of his Masnavi, wrote:

"Water inside a boat will sink it, but water underneath keeps it afloat. King Solomon chose the title 'Poor' to keep his heart pure. A sealed jar floats in the sea because it is full of air. If you have the spirit of a dervish, you will rise above the world."

Whirling dervishes

The whirling dance, known as Sufi whirling, is widely connected with dervishes. This practice is most familiar in the West through the traditions of the Turkish Mevlevi Order, which performs it as part of a formal ceremony called the sama. Other Sufi groups also practice this form of worship. The sama is one of many ceremonies used by Sufis to seek religious ecstasy, known as jadhb or fana. The name Mevlevi comes from the Persian poet Rumi, who was a dervish himself. Although this practice is not meant for entertainment, it has become a popular attraction for visitors in Turkey.

Orders

Dervishes belong to different groups, most of which began with Muslim saints and teachers, especially Imam Ali. Over time, many groups and smaller groups have formed and disappeared. Dervishes spread to North Africa, the Horn of Africa, Turkey, Anatolia, the Balkans, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Iran, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.

Other dervish groups include the Bektashis, who were connected to the janissaries, and the Sanusiyya of the Maghreb, which follows traditional beliefs and practices. Some groups chant Qur'anic verses, play drums, or whirl in groups, depending on their traditions. Many Sufi groups in South Asia practice meditation, and many of them are linked to or influenced by the Chishti Order. Each group has unique clothing and specific ways to accept and welcome new members, some of which can be very strict. In the 17th century, dervish practices focused on hidden spiritual knowledge, patience, and peaceful behavior.

In literature and art

Books about the lives of Dervishes can be found in Turkish literature. Two examples are Death and the Dervish by Meša Selimović and The Dervish by Frances Kazan, which talk about the life of a Dervish in detail. Other books, such as Memoirs of a Dervish: Sufis, Mystics and the Sixties by Robert Erwin, also cover similar topics. Majdeddin Ali Bagher Ne'matollahi stated that Sufism is an important part of existence and connects religion with science. Winston Churchill used the term in his autobiography My Early Life. A painting titled The Whirling Dervishes by Mahmoud Sa'id, created in 1929, was sold in 2010 for USD 2,546,500. A Soviet-Azerbaijani movie from 1976 includes a song called Dərvişin mahnısı, which means "Song of the Dervish."

Views on Dervishes

Traditional Sunni Muslims approve of Dervishes and their Sufi practices. However, groups like Deobandis and Salafis believe that some of these practices are not in line with Islamic teachings.