LARGE HEARTEDNESS

 The word “futuvvet” literally means being generous and noble, courage and youth.

 A young person is named as “feta” which is from the same root.
In Arabic the plural of “feta” is “fityan” and “fitve”. Old Arabs used to define the ideal person which was noble and complete that they imagined in their minds with the word “feta”. The hospitability, generosity of such a person last to the end that means until when he himself become poor. In struggle “feta” sacrifices his life for the sake of his friends. So the highest degree of hospitability and sacrificed are named as “futuvvet”. The word “futuvvet” which gives this meaning in Old Arab became a special concept in Sufism. We know the existence of a community which adopts “futuvvet” as a habit in the second century after Hegira. Caliph Nâsir Lidînillah bound this community to himself and by wearing the baggy trousers of them he became the Master of the Young people -(seyyid’ül fityan)-

 In The Noble Quran, in the anecdote of Ashab-i Kehf -seven sleepers- it is mentioned that the people who hide themselves in the cave were fine manly youngsters:

 “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.” (1)

 The most remarkable charactersitics of the people in the cave was that they were faithful young men; this initiates the importance given to those young people. From the whole of the anecdote we understand that they struggled for their belief in The Oneness of Allah -tewhid-among the polytheist society that they lived in ; although they ran into the death, they did the requirement of their faith and with a last effort they emigrated from this society. Similar to other emigrations seen throughout the history, this emigration also gave its yield and Allah made their martyrdom a nucleus for a new birth.

 In Islam large heartedness is defined with the phrase of “mekarim-i ahlak” - good moral qualities-. As Hadrat Prophet was sent to complete the “mekarim-i ahlak”; Hadrat Abraham who didn’t hesitate from giving up his ghost in order to establish the faith in The Oneness of Allah was defined as “feta” -young man- :

 “They said "We heard a youth talk of them: he is called Abraham. (2)

 Yusha-Joshua- the assistant of Prophet Moses who went together with him was also defined as “feta”.

 “We relate to thee their story in truth: they were youths who believed in their Lord and We advanced them in guidance:” (3)
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(1)Chapter Kehf, 18/62.
(2) Chapter Enbiyâ, 21/60.
(3) Chapter Kehf, 18/13

 The Seven Sleepers -Ashab-i Kef- who left their polytheist community for the sake of their religon and hid themselves in the cave named as “fitye”, the plural of the word “feta”.

 “We relate to thee their story in truth: they were youths who believed in their Lord and We advanced them in guidance:” (1)

 Likewise the friends of Prophet Joseph in the prison are mentioned with the word “feteyan” which expresses the dual mood of the word “ feta”.

 “Then they came to their father in the early part of the night weeping (2)

 When Joseph became prime-minister, his personal servants also named as “fityan”, the plural of the word “feta”.

 “And (Joseph) told his servants to put their stock in trade (with which they had bartered) into their saddlebags so they should know it only when they returned to their people in order that they might come back.” (3)

 Our Prophet -peace be upon him- lived his childhood and youth in chastity and in an honest way. Just as he had good moral qualities after he became Prophet, his life before the age of forty was also pure and honest. Whereas in those times, the city of Mecca where he lived in his youth was such a confused place that it was almost impossible not to be involved in the Pre-Islamic evils.

 Our Prophet escaped from those thorny and dangerous ways without any wound and being blameless. He completely remained far a way from the evils that others were involved. Because Allah Almighty created him with such ability that to feel disgusted against all evils of his age.

 Idris was exalted to a high place with “futuvvet” and was saved from the trap of devil. Noah moaned much with the love of “futuvvet” and its light shined over him.
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(1) Cahpter Kehf, 18/13.
(2) Chapter Yûsuf, 12/16.
(3) Chapter Yûsuf, 12/62.

 Ad was named with it and didn’t turn towards pride. With “futvvet” Hud remanied loyal to promises, Salih freed from badness with it, Abraham -friend of Allah- became famous with his large-heartedness and broke the head of idols and statues, with “futuvvet” Ishmael became a sacrifice for the order of Allah The Most High, Lot went up to a high degree which has no way of going down, with futuvvet Isaak was occupied with worship until the day of meeting, Jakob adhered the causes of “futuvvet”, Job recovered from illness with “futuvvet”. With “futuvvet” honest Joseph walked to the most beautiful of the ways and always reached success with it. By obeying the high degree of “futuvvet” Zulkifl committed good and pleasing deeds. Suayb became first in the field of manhood by catching its reeds and remained far a way from all kinds of doubts and defects. Moses weared the caftan of “futuvvet” and stood in dignity, Aaron told kind words following futuvvet. The Seven Sleepers and Rakim were saved and honored with it and went in the house of favor. The heart of David found liveliness with it, bowing and prostrate in worship seemed pleasant to him with “futuvvet”. Suleyman took it from David, people and djinns are given to the command of him because of “futuvvet”. Jonah followed the requirements of “futuvvet” to whom its conditions were made valid. Zachariah went into the land of peace with “futuvvet”. John The Babtist remained faithful to “futuvvet” and escaped from anxiety, he adhered “futuvvet” in difficult conditions and didn’t experience grief and pain. Lonely Jesus took an open light with it and shined, he acquired the titles of Ruh-soul- and Messiah with “futuvvet”. To Hadrat Muhammed open conquest was given with “futuvvet” and Ebu Bakr, Omar and his nephew Ali became the trustee of it.

 In Seljuks’ time the concept of “futuvvet” was used for Anatolian Organization of Tradesmen.

 In Islamic Ethics, “futuvvet”-large heartedness- is a grace that includes virtuous behaviors like not to see the superiority and power of oneself relative to others, not to spread the defects and faults of others, recognizing the fact that everything comes from Allah, giving a good reply against a badness. Being large-hearted is the highest degree of humaneness. Because the possessors of other degrees establishes their worship and services on the basis of either to attain the kindness and benevolence of Allah or to escape from punishment and torment and they act accordingly. Whereas those have the quality of “futuvvet” do everything for Allah and for His Love..

 Allah granted their bodies to His born servants as clean and free from illnesses. The behavior which is proper to born servants and which is in accordance with “futuvvet” is to retutn that body free from illnesses.

 Someday When Imam- Azam Abu Hanifa-May Allah be well pleased with him- was going on the street accidentally his arm hit to a man. Because the man didn’t know Imam-i Azam, he slapped to him. Abu Hanifa said: “ I can afford to take vengeance and give your deserts. But be calm! As I will not do anything to you in the world, also in the next world, If Allah Almighty puts me to Paradise; I hope I won’t go there without you.” When the man recognized Abu Hanifa apologized and asked for forgiveness.

 So this is “futuvvet”.