Fakir << fuh KIHR or FAY kuhr >> is a Muslim or Hindu man who practices extreme self-denial as part of his religion. Fakir is an Arabic word meaning poor, especially poor in the sight of God. Fakirs usually live on charity and spend most of their lives in religious contemplation. Some can actually perform such feats of will power as walking on hot coals. But some also practice deception. Some fakirs live in religious communities. Others wander about alone. People whose way of life resembles that of fakirs include Muslim dervishes and Hindu yogis. See also Dervish; Yoga.
