Dervish vs. Muslim — What's the Difference?

Dervish or Darvesh or Darwīsh (from Persian: درویش‎, Darvīsh) in Islam can refer broadly to members of a Sufi fraternity (tariqah), or more narrowly to a religious mendicant, who chose or accepted material poverty. The latter usage is found particularly in Persian and Turkish (Derviş), corresponding to the Arabic term faqir.

A follower of the religion of Islam.

A member of a Muslim (specifically Sufi) religious order who has taken vows of poverty and austerity. Dervishes first appeared in the 12th century; they were noted for their wild or ecstatic rituals and were known as dancing, whirling, or howling dervishes according to the practice of their order.

Relating to Muslims or their religion.

A member of any of various Muslim ascetic orders, some of which perform whirling dances and vigorous chanting as acts of ecstatic devotion.

Also Mos·lem (mŏzləm, mŏs-) A believer in or adherent of Islam.

One that possesses abundant, often frenzied energy

A member of the Nation of Islam; a Black Muslim.

(Islam) An itinerant Sufi mystic practicing voluntary poverty in devotion to God, and often engaging in ecstatic rituals.

See Moslem.

(historical) A citizen or inhabitant of Darawiish (circa 1895–1920 {{C.E.}}), an anti-colonial polity in modern Somalia headed by Sufis.

A believer or follower of Islam

(historical) One of the followers of Muhammad Ahmad, the Mahdi of the Sudan, in the 1880s.

Of or relating to or supporting Islamism;

(by extension) Any irregular guerrilla fighter resembling the Sudanese Mahdi in equipment, uniform, tactics, etc.

A Turkish or Persian monk, especially one who professes extreme poverty and leads an austere life.

One of the fanatical followers of the Mahdi, in the Sudan, in the 1880's.

In modern times, a member of an ascetic Mohammedan sect notable for its devotional exercises, which include energetic chanting or shouting and rhythmic bodily movement, such as whirling, leading to a trance-like state or ecstasy. From these exercises the phrase whirling dervish is derived.

Figuratively, a person who whirls or engages in frenzied activity reminiscent of the dervish{3} dancing.

An ascetic Muslim monk; a member of an order noted for devotional exercises involving bodily movements