Question:
Assalamu alaikum
Shaykh what is the difference between a murshid and Khalifa in context to the Naqshbandi tariqa?
Is the Khalifa more similar to like a muqaddam in other orders or can a Khalifa be called pir or murshid too Shaykh?
Answer:
Waalaykumussalam warahmatullah.
In this Tariqa the terms murshid and khalifa have two senses, proper and generic sense.
In the proper sense murshid and khalifa mean one and the same person, namely the Muhammadan inheritor and the spiritual guide of the age.
In the generic sense permission for irshad and giving bayaa may be given to selected murids by Mawlana and such murids are also true khalifas and representatives of Mawlana.
Below that level would be those who have permission to lead dhikr and give nasiha in their respective areas. The latter are like muqaddams or senior/advanced murids.
Hajj Gibril Haddad
