Rafiq

A Rafik (or Rafiq) (Arabic: رفيق Rafīq) is a graduated scholar of the Assassins in the second tier of the caste system (the Assassins being on top). The word literally means "follower" or "companion". Within the game, they provide information on where to acquire knowledge about targets and determine whether or not Altaïr is well-informed enough to perform an assassination. They are usually located in an Assassins' Bureau, with other Dais and Rafiqs found in Masyaf (though these do not help you).

Role
In one of his conversations with Malik at the Assassins' Bureau in Jerusalem, Altaïr addresses Malik as "Dai" (during the Majd Addin assignment). The Dais are the direct representatives of the Imam, who is the exalted spiritual leader of the people. This means that Malik was made a Dai after he pulled off the task that Altaïr failed to accomplish in the beginning. In the beginning of the story, in the scene under the Temple, Altaïr states that he is of a higher rank than Malik. Altaïr is a Master Assassin and a field instructor, which means that Malik is not yet a Dai. While devising a plan on how to approach Al Mualim, Malik refers to Altaïr as Dai (Al Mualim assassination) showing that he had obtained the rank after giving the Piece of Eden to Al Mualim.

The Bureau leaders in Acre and Damascus are Rafiqs, which is not their name but their rank. A Rafiq is a first level instructor just beneath a Dai. Initially, they are teachers and field contacts that provide Altaïr with where and when to best strike. But after Altaïr's major failure, Al Mualim places him under the entire Assassin's Order. This results in Rafiqs obtaining authoritative power over Altaïr. Rafiqs are then authorized to grant or deny the carrying out of an Assassination Contract, judging on whether they think Altaïr possesses enough information on the target. Once Altaïr has properly learned where and when the target will be, he is granted permission to perform the strike, but only after receiving the assassination feather marker.

Rafiqs are responsible for documenting details about the assassinations success and the information that the informers stationed around the cities have obtained.

The informers seem to be under the authority of the Rafiqs and answer to them. This is noted in how Rafiqs seem to always have knowledge of the targets occupation and the area most occupied by them. But because rafiqs cannot leave the Bureau, informers gather information in the field and report back. With this information, Rafiqs direct Altaïr in the directions of where best to begin his search. Each of them has a particular skill or talent which he may teach in addition to teaching philosophy, various religious doctrine such as the Bible and the Quran, while also ensuring that Assassins remember to adhere to the The Creed.

Malik is a cartographer, or map maker. One of the Rafiqs is a potter (Damascus) and the other is a scholar/scribe (Acre). Their given names are never said, as they are only called rafiq, as a title of respect and nobility within the Creed.

The higher level teachers (Instructors) at Masyaf are those who wear the white robes with a black djellaba and red decorative markings. This is also the attire of the Rafiqs. They more than likely are the teachers who provide in-depth education on philosophy and the politics of the world. Providing such knowledge educates the assassin students on how and why it is that a single assassination strike can change the land and affect history.

Instructors probably help assassins better understand why their work is so important in maintaining peace. Al Mualim also wears this attire, except that his is all black, marking him as Master of the Assassin Order. In Al Mualim's library, scholars are found wearing similar attire to the Rafiqs and Instructors. However, these scholars have a white djellaba over a black robe and the djellaba has red or black markings near the feet of the scholar.

Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles
Altaïr encounters a Rafiq during his visit to Damascus. He is a nasty old man who first challenges Altaïr in order to determine if he is trained well enough. In his adventures, Altaïr also meets other Rafiqs (like Hamid) as well.

Assassin's Creed
There are three Rafiqs in three different cities (Damascus, Acre, Jerusalem). The Rafiq of Jerusalem is Malik, the Rafiq of Acre is Jabal and the Rafiq in Damascus is unknown.

Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines
Rafiqs do not really appear in the game, but instead, key Resistance members such as Alexander and Markos act similarly to Rafiqs, and are situated in Resistance Safe Houses, not Assassin Bureaus.