What is Khanqua? Khanqah is a Persian word. Its Arabic equivalent is ribat qawiya. It means a building made specifically for the gathering of a Sufi brotherhood, or tariqa and is a place for spiritual retreat and character reformation since the past. It also means a place where spiritual education is provided and practical spiritual training is given to purify the heart and soul. This in The Quran and Hadith terminology is known as tazkiya and ehsaan. In khanqua the students of spirituality live and learn the methods of zikr, mutaqaba etc.