Fatā

From ilmpedia

The word used to mean young (fatā) has a special meaning and usage in Islamic literature. Its infinitive form, futuwwah, meaning youth and chivalry, is a composite of virtues, such as energy, revolutionary vigor, heroism, generosity, munificence, modesty, chastity, trustworthiness, loyalty, mercifulness, knowledge, humility, and piety.

Futuwwah also signifies an altruistic character that enjoys helping others, wishing no one any harm. It is an important, indispensable dimension of good conduct and a significant aspect of humanity. Derived from fatā meaning young man, futuwwah has become a symbol of rebellion against all kinds of evil and of sincere servanthood to Allah as the way to attain true freedom.

Occurrence in the Qur'an

Ladies said in the City: "The wife of the (great) 'Aziz is seeking to seduce her slave from his (true) self: Truly hath he inspired her with violent love: we see she is evidently going astray." (12:30)

Now with him there came into the prison two young men. Said one of them: "I see myself (in a dream) pressing wine." said the other: "I see myself (in a dream) carrying bread on my head, and birds are eating, thereof." "Tell us" (they said) "The truth and meaning thereof: for we see thou art one that doth good (to all)."(12:36)

And (Joseph) told his servants to put their stock-in-trade (with which they had bartered) into their saddle-bags, so they should know it only when they returned to their people, in order that they might come back. (12:62)

Behold, the youths betook themselves to the Cave: they said, "Our Lord! bestow on us Mercy from Thyself, and dispose of our affair for us in the right way!" (18:10)

We relate to thee their story in truth: they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We advanced them in guidance: (18:13)

Behold, Moses said to his attendant, "I will not give up until I reach the junction of the two seas or (until) I spend years and years in travel." (18:60)

When they had passed on (some distance), Moses said to his attendant: "Bring us our early meal; truly we have suffered much fatigue at this (stage of) our journey." (18:62)

They said, "We heard a youth talk of them: He is called Abraham." (21:60)

Description

Some have summed up the descriptions made for futuwwah in the following cardinal virtues, in addition to those mentioned above:

• Forgiving when one is able to punish.
• Preserving mildness and acting mildly and gently when one is angry.
• Wishing well for all, including one’s enemies, and doing good.
• Always being considerate of the well-being and happiness of others first, even when one is needy.

The signs of one being a fatā (young, chivalrous one) are that their spirit, which was created with the potential to accept Divine Unity and Islam, has utmost conviction of Divine Unity and urges them to live according to the requirements of this conviction, and that, without being captivated by carnal or bodily desires, they live a pure, spiritual life, always aiming to please God in all acts, thoughts, and feelings. It is not possible for one who cannot be saved from the temptations of their carnal soul, from Satan, from bodily appetites, or from a love of the world and the attachment to worldly life, to climb up toward the peak of futuwwah.

References

The Qur'an with Annotated Interpretation in Modern English by Ali Ünal