Tariqa

Sufi order or brotherhood. Tariqa is an Arabic word derived from the term meaning "the way." It is used to denote sufi mystical orders. See the encyclopedia entry "Sufism and the Sufi Orders."

The Islamic Sufi special "way" of discipline and mystical insight in contrast to the shari'a, the ordinary religious law; tariqa can also refer to a specific Sufi organization or method of meditation.