Turkish-Islamic Guild/Futûvvet

The concept of futûvvet, derived from the Arabic word “fetā,” is a social and mystical formation in the Islamic world that includes the concepts of youth, bravery, and generosity. The concept was also associated with slavery in pre-Islamic times. It is used in the Qur’an to mean slavery, valor, and youth. It emerges as a form of social and mystical organization in Islamic society. The people of the futûvvet are given titles such as “abu-l fıtyan” or “seyyid-al-futuvva” for their sheikhs. In addition to its importance in the social and economic spheres, it is also influential in Islamic mysticism and in the organization of arts and crafts. Historically, futûvvet can be divided into three periods. The first period is the period in which it emerged as a social concept in the first century of Islamic civilization; the second period is the period in which the Abbasid government granted autonomy to social life, in which it also became institutionalized; and the third period is the period in which futûvvet gained a mystical character and individuals transcended the realm of tafferrud and formed a new environment in the tekke. According to some, there is the period of Ahi futüvva, in which futüvva emerged as an alternative institution in the social economy at a time when the central state was weakening. Ahi organizations were particularly effective in the establishment of the Ottoman Empire and contributed to the organization of the social economy. These organizations brought together people from different professions and ethnic backgrounds and established bonds of friendship and loyalty. Ahi-order reached a mystical dimension with its vocational training stages and encouraged the transformation of professions into crafts. Organizations such as Ahi-order continued the influence of futüvva in the Ottoman period and shaped the economic order of society. For this reason, the development, and effects of futüvva in history are important for understanding the social and cultural history of the Islamic world.