Da'i
/ˈdɑː.iː/noun
An Islamic missionary or religious teacher who calls people to the faith.
Did you know?In medieval Ismaili Islam, highly organized networks of da'is spread teachings across regions, sometimes operating discreetly under hostile political authorities.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*d-ʕ-w
“To call, summon, or invite”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
daʿā
“He called, summoned, or invited”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
dāʿī
“One who calls or invites; a religious missionary”
10th–12th Century
Arabic
dāʿī
“A missionary and representative within especially Ismaili religious organization”
19th–20th Century
English
da'i
“An Islamic missionary or religious teacher”