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Ayyar redirects here. It can also refer to Ayyar of Bulgaria.

Áyyār, (Template:Lang-fa Ayyâr, pl. Ayyârân, Template:Lang-ar ʿayyār, pl. ʿayyārūn) refers to a person associated with a class of warriors in Iraq and Iran from the 9th to the 12th centuries. The word litteraly means vagabond. Ayyars were associated with futuwwa, or medieval Islamic organizations located in cities.

Emergence

'Ayyarun are believed to predate Islam, though most of the writing about them centers on their activities in Baghdad from the 10th to the 12th centuries. Baghdad was ruled by the Buyids (945–1055), and was a very lawless city, caused by fighting between Sunnis and Shi'ites. They did many terrible things such as extorting taxes on roads and markets, burning wealthy quarters and markets, and looting the homes of the rich by night. For several years (1028–33), Al-Burjumi and Ibn al-Mawsili, leaders of the 'ayyarun, ruled the city due to governmental instability.

Reputation

The 'ayyarun have been commonly called fighters, though these activities are highlighted during times of weak government and civil war, when their role as a military force most likely made them fight on multiple sides, angering many. During times of more stable government, their lawful activities decreased, and when the Seljuqs ruled in the 12th century, their activities almost ceased. The 'ayyarun also made war against much of Turks in reaction to social injustices.

Regional influence

Outside Baghdad, the 'ayyarun were closely allied with the middle class, and helped maintain the current order. The Saffarids (861-1003) of eastern Iran were in fact an 'ayyarun dynasty. They are thought by some historians to have contributed to the weakening of Baghdad, clearing the way for the horrific destruction of the city by the Mongols.

References

1. History of al-Tabari Volume 35, The Crisis of the Abbasid Caliphate, page 66
2. History of al-Tabari, index, Page XVIII
3. Hasan-i-Sabbah: His Life and Thought, page 34
4. The Institude of Ismaili Studies
5. Brill online reference

• AYYĀR, Encyclopædia Iranica

External links

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