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Áyyārūn, Arabic plural is 'ayyarun, Persian plural is 'ayyaran'; Arabic for "scoundrel" or "vagabond". This word refers to a person associated with a class of warriors in Iraq and Iran from the 9th to the 12th centuries. They were associated with futuwah/futuwwa, or medieval Islamic organizations located in cities.

Emergence

Though 'ayyarun were found fighting for Islam on the frontiers of inner Asia, the most thorough documentation of these warriors describes their activities in Baghdad in the 10th–12th century, a picture that may not be typical of 'ayyarun in other areas. The Baghdad of this period, ruled by the Buyids (945–1055), was an especially lawless city, troubled by violent battles between members of the Sunnite and Shi'ite sects of Islam. 'Ayyarun terrorized the city, extorting taxes on roads or at markets, burning wealthy quarters and markets, and looting the homes of the rich at night. For several years (1028–33), Al-Burjumi and Ibn al-Mawsili, leaders of the 'ayyarun, virtually ruled the city in the face of an ineffectual government.

Reputation

The 'ayyarun have been commonly called thieves and robbers, though these activities are highlighted during times of week 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 unlawful activities decreased, and when the Seljuqs ruled in the 12th century, their activities almost ceased. The 'ayyarun also made war against much of society in reaction to social injustices.

Regional influence

Outside Baghdad, from inner Asia to Mesopotamia, the 'ayyarun identified more closely with the middle class, who depended on them to support the local dynasty or displace it. They even succeeded in setting up a dynasty of their own, the Saffarids (867–c. 1495), in eastern Iran. 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.

External links

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 '''Áyyārūn''', Arabic plural is 'ayyarun, Persian plural is 'ayyaran'; Arabic for "scoundrel" or "vagabond". This word refers to a person associated with a class of warriors in Iraq and Iran from the 9th to the 12th centuries. They were associated with [[futuwah]]/[[futuwwa]], or medieval Islamic organizations located in cities.
 ==Emergence==
-Though 'ayyarun were found fighting for Islam on the frontiers of inner Asia, the most thorough documentation of these warriors describes their activities in Baghdad in the 10th–12th century, a picture that may not be typical of 'ayyarun in other areas. The Baghdad of this period, ruled by the Buyids (945–1055), was an especially lawless city, troubled by violent battles between members of the Sunnite and Shi'ite sects of Islam. 'Ayyarun terrorized the city, extorting taxes on roads or at markets, burning wealthy quarters and markets, and looting the homes of the rich at night. For several years (1028–33), Al-Burjumi and Ibn al-Mawsili, leaders of the 'ayyarun, virtually ruled the city in the face of an ineffectual government.
+Though 'ayyarun were found fighting for [[Islam]] on the frontiers of inner [[Asia]], the most thorough documentation of these warriors describes their activities in Baghdad in the 10th–12th century, a picture that may not be typical of 'ayyarun in other areas. The Baghdad of this period, ruled by the [[Buyids]] (945–1055), was an especially lawless city, troubled by violent battles between members of the Sunnite and Shi'ite sects of Islam. 'Ayyarun terrorized the city, extorting taxes on roads or at markets, burning wealthy quarters and markets, and looting the homes of the rich at night. For several years (1028–33), [[Al-Burjumi]] and [[Ibn al-Mawsili]], leaders of the 'ayyarun, virtually ruled the city in the face of an ineffectual government.
 ==Reputation==
-Although the 'ayyarun have been commonly labeled [[thieves]] and [[robbers]], modern historians point out that their activities multiplied only in times of weak central government or in times of civil war, when their services were sought by many of the conflicting parties. Under strong rulers their lawlessness subsided, and, with the appearance of the Seljuqs in the 12th century, it ceased. The 'ayyarun, in reaction to social injustice, warred against the government and the wealthy, the police, and the merchant classes.
+The 'ayyarun have been commonly called [[thieves]] and [[robbers]], though these activities are highlighted during times of week 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 unlawful activities decreased, and when the Seljuqs ruled in the 12th century, their activities almost ceased. The 'ayyarun also made war against much of society in reaction to social injustices.
 ==Regional influence==
-Outside Baghdad, from inner Asia to [[Mesopotamia]], the 'ayyarun identified more closely with the middle class, who depended on them to support the local dynasty or displace it. They even succeeded in setting up a dynasty of their own, the [[Saffarids]] (867–c. 1495), in eastern Iran.
+Outside Baghdad, from inner Asia to [[Mesopotamia]], the 'ayyarun identified more closely with the middle class, who depended on them to support the local dynasty or displace it. They even succeeded in setting up a dynasty of their own, the [[Saffarids]] (867–c. 1495), in eastern Iran. 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==
+*[http://0-www.search.eb.com.library.uor.edu/eb/article-9000475?query=Baghdad&ct=eb Library reference]
+*[http://www-personal.une.edu.au/~hbrasted/islam/isglos01.html Word definition]
+*[http://www.al-baz.com/shaikhabdalqadir/Books_and_Text_of_Wisdom/Qala_id_Al-Jawahir/7_-_Qala_id_Al-Jawahir/7_-_qala_id_al-jawahir.htm Primary Source reference]
+*[http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2003/634/bo2.htm Newspaper article]
 ==External links==
-*[http://0-www.search.eb.com.library.uor.edu/eb/article-9000475?query=Baghdad&ct=eb]
-*[http://www-personal.une.edu.au/~hbrasted/islam/isglos01.html Word definition]
 [[Category:Middle East]]