Ayyār

thumb|16th-century Indian painting depicting members of the 'Ayyarun slitting the throats of prison guards from the Hamzanama. Ayyār (, pl. ʿayyārūn; , pl. Ayyârân) refers to a person associated with a class of warriors in Iraq and Persia from the 9th to the 12th centuries. The word literally means vagabond. The 'Ayyarun were associated with futuwwa, or medieval Islamic organizations located in cities. They were notable for being youth groups, typically from lower classes, that engaged in violent acts, thievery, assassinations, and violent rebellions against established systems in many Islamic cities. Often clashing with the ruling dynasties. They typically gain power within a city once a centralized body is weakened.

==Historical origins== '''Ayyarun are believed to predate Islam, since they are said to have distinct Persian (Afghan and Iranian) customs, and they were active in regions corresponding to the territories of the Sasanian Empire. The word itself literally means "vagabond" in Arabic. The word was also used to refer to futuwwa'', especially as among the titles of the leaders of the 'Ayyarun was "''Ra's al-Fityan''." Although the 'Ayyarun were predominantly active in Iraq, they were also active in other regions such as in Persia, the Levantine, and Anatolia.