A traditional Islamic religious devotee or ascetic, particularly one engaged in spiritual struggle or self-discipline.
From Arabic 'fida' meaning redemption or ransom, related to concepts of self-sacrifice in Islamic tradition. The term entered English through colonial contact with Islamic cultures in the Middle East and South Asia.
The word embeds a fascinating Islamic concept—that personal spiritual struggle can be redemptive, which is why it specifically names someone dedicated to that inner fight rather than just any religious person.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.