In the name of God, the Compassionate and Merciful

Introduction

It is related that the Commander of the Faithful, ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, said, ‘I heard the Messenger say, “At the resurrection there will be two groups for the folk (jama‘at) who have been characterised by the name futuwwat.“ ’

[First,] the futuwwat of the resolute (sabit-qadam) and those true to their word (sadiq al-qawl), because they have traversed honestly [in] the path of God, Holy and Most High, and they have avoided what is hated (makruh) and have been constant in [their] resolution, just as the Glorious Word relates, ‘Among the believers, there are men who fulfilled what they pledged to God’ (33.23). When the trumpet is blown a group of angels will be present at the grave of each one. Holding gowns (hulla) of light and [the reins of] Buraqs,9 the angels will greet them when they rise from [their] graves, and put the gowns on them, and they will ride on a mount beneath the banner of Abraham and the Commander of the Faithful, ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib. And the other group …

The children of Jacob were ashamed and hung their heads low. Joseph said, ‘All of that was [due to] Satan's whispering, otherwise how would a brother permit treachery upon a brother's right?’ So, whoever is adorned with these attributes deserves the name futuwwat.