Rifaʿiya

[ ree-fah-ee-yuh ]

nounIslam.
  1. a band of dervishes who achieved ecstasy during prayer by violent body movements and self-inflicted pain: formed in the 12th century; outlawed in 1925.

  • Also called howling dervishes .

Words Nearby Rifaʿiya

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024