 Of broader importance has been the role of the "mujtahid", a cleric of superior knowledge who has the authority to perform "ijtihad" (independent judgment).Mujtahids are few in number, but it is from their ranks that the "marajiʿ at-taqlid" are drawn.The spiritual guidance function known in many Christian denominations as "pastoral care" is fulfilled for many Muslims by a "murshid" ("guide"), a master of the spiritual sciences and disciplines known as "tasawuf" or Sufism.