Islamic Mysticism and Spiritual Manners of Teaching Arts (with a Focus on Books of Futuwwa)

Books of futuwwa are mystical essays in which conditions of membership in the circle of people of futuwwa (generous people) are mentioned. These texts offer particular laws and manners of every occupation (art or profession) and crafts for teaching the laws to learners based on teacher-learner hierarchies. In this problem-centered paper, by deploying library research method and referencing reliable and relevant sources, we analyze the notion of futuwwa, as well as its stages and laws in mystical texts, and then consider the bearing of books of futuwwa on professions, arts, and crafts. The most important findings of this research are concerned with solutions to teaching the Islamic art and professional training of art learners as appearing in books of futuwwa. They include: disciplined and strict training imposed by the teacher, emphasis on the exterior and the interior in educational methods, merging Iranian manners and traditions with Islamic values, and the realization of the teacher-learner system.