The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Softa \Sof"ta\, n. [Corruption of Per. s[=o]khtah one who burns,
   is ardent or zealous.]
   Any one attached to a Mohammedan mosque, esp. a student of
   the higher branches of theology in a mosque school. [Written
   also sophta.]
   [1913 Webster]