The Origins and Spiritual Rituals of Arts and Crafts in Persian-Islamic Fotowat Namehs(Chivarly Books)
- Author:
- Seyedeh Maryam Izadi Dehkordi
- Level:
- Ph.D
- Subject(s):
- Sufism and Islamic mysticism
- Language:
- Farsi
- Faculty:
- Faculty of Mysticism
- Year:
- 2016
- Publisher:
- URD Press
- Supervisor(s):
- Saeid Binaye Motlagh
- Advisor(s):
- Alireza Khajegir, Amir Javan Arasteh
Fotowat Namehs (Chivalry Books) are systematic teachings compiled mostly by Islamic mystics or anonymous masters aiming to demonstrate divinity and distinguish the truth through recourse and purification of their own soul or that of their professions. These texts represent specific rules and rituals within any profession or art along with specific instructions to their learners according to the master-learner hierarchy. Attributing the crafts to the prophets and saints of God, chivalry books had a great educational impact on artisans and professionals and made them abide moral and humanistic rules and develop a spiritual character. The present descriptive analytical study aims to elaborate on the structure of teaching Islamic arts based on chivalry books. How their teachings were transferred and the chronology of divisions and commonalities in original resources are also discussed descriptively and analytically along with the decline in chivalry creed in contemporary times and its mystical representation in professions. Soul-cultivation, constant litany, specific regulations for apprenticeship, belief in hierarchy, master-learner system and a promotion guide are the strategies offered in chivalry books so that the learner grows professionally in his field.