_Fakir._ [563]--The class of Muhammadan beggars. In the Central
Provinces the name is practically confined to Muhammadans, but in
Upper India Hindus also use it. Nearly 9000 Fakirs were returned
in 1911, being residents mainly of Districts with large towns, as
Jubbulpore, Nagpur and Amraoti. Nearly two-fifths of the Muhammadans
of the Central Provinces live in towns, and Muhammadan beggars
would naturally congregate there also. The name is derived from the
Arabic _fakr_, poverty. The Fakirs are often known as Shah, Lord,
or Sain, a corruption of the Sanskrit Swami, master. Muhammad did
not recognise religious ascetism, and expressly discouraged it. But
even during his lifetime his companions Abu Bakr and Ali established
religious orders with Zikrs or special exercises, and all Muhammadan
Fakirs trace their origin to Abu Bakr or Ali subsequently the first
and fourth Caliphs. [564] The Fakirs are divided into two classes,
the Ba Shara or those who live according to the rules of Islam and
marry; and the Be Shara or those without the law. These latter have
no wives or homes; they drink intoxicating liquor, and neither fast,
pray nor rule their passions. But several of the orders contain both
married and celibate groups.