Here is a list of definitions for commonly used Arabic and Urdu terms throughout this website.
Awliya – Friends of Allah, or Saints (singular: wali).
Ghawth – the highest rank in Sainthood.
Madhhab – one of the four schools of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh): Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki and Hanbali.
Nisbat – a spiritual connection or link.
Qutub – one of the greatest ranks in Sainthood or wilaya.
Silsila – see Tareeqa.
Sufi – one who adheres to the way of tasawwuf.
Tareeqa – a Sufi order or way. There are many Sufi orders, all of which follow one of the four main madhhabs and trace back to the Messenger of Allah. The main Sufi orders are Naqshbandiyya, Qadriyya, Suhrwardiyya and Chishtiyya.
Tasawwuf – the spiritual core of Islam. Just as shari’ah provides the external rulings, tasawwuf ensures the inner soundness & sincerity of worship.
Tazkiyatun Nafs – one’s inner struggle against his/her lower self or ego, and purifying it of evil.
Wali – a Friend of Allah, or Saint (plural: awliya).
Wilaya – sainthood.