Hodja
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Hodža, also spelled as Hoca, Hodžić, or (in Albanian) Hoxha, is a title of respect in some Central Asian, Middle Eastern and European cultures, used for people who have performed the Hajj a difficult and often dangerous feat in the Middle Ages, especially for those living far away from Arabia. Hodža can also refer to a folkloric character known for his sharp wit. It is often used to refer to Muslim Imams or the Muezzin. The Persian word Hodja (خواجه) is also used to refer to those who have knowledge and wisdom at a time as in the case with "ârif" different from mere "âlim" (having only knowledge without wisdom)in Arabic. An "ârif" has a virtue of "irfan" meaning deep insight into and reflection on the objects or entities, which is known to be the "knowledge of things" (or the truth about the things). This insight or reflection is said to be acquired through the practice of sufism (sayr al-sulûq)and manifests itself with refined ethical concerns and moral behaviour. A privileged and prestigious group of hodjas like Rûmi, Suhreverdî, Rabbanî, Gilanî or Bahaeddin are called "hacegân" who are also the chief figures teaching sufism and spiritual wisdom.
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