Alevism
Alevism, also known as Qizilbashism, is a syncretic and mystic tradition, formulated by Haji Bektash Veli. It is generally agreed that it is akin to a Sufi rendition of Twelver Shi'ism that integrates Central Asian shamanic elements, though some dissenting voices base the Alevi belief squarely in a non-denominational, heterodox Anatolian Islam instead. They acknowledge the six articles of faith of Islam, but may differ regarding their interpretation. Lack of gender segregation in ritual contexts and clergy is one of the key features that sets Alevism apart from Muslim orthodoxy.
Although the main order amongst Alevis, the Bektashi order, were appointed as the military chaplains until the Auspicious Incident; historical Qizilbash affiliation created political rifts which caused them to be persecuted both in Ottoman and modern Turkish regimes, being described as heterodox to contrast them with the "orthodox" Sunni majority.
Adherents of Alevism are found primarily in Turkey and estimates of the percentage of Turkey's population that are Alevi include between 4% and 15%. The term “Alevi-Bektashi” is currently a widely and frequently used expression in the religious discourse of Turkey as an umbrella term for the culture of Alevism and the order of Bektashi. Alevism is officially recognized through Ministry of Culture and Tourism under the 'Presidency of Alevi/Bektashi Culture'.
Beliefs
According to scholar Soner Çağaptay, Alevism is a "relatively unstructured interpretation of Islam with traditional elements". Journalist Patrick Kingsley states that for some self-described Alevi, their religion is "simply a cultural identity, rather than a form of worship". It has also been put forward that Alevism can be identified as an ethnoreligion in some instances, such as in the cases of the Tahtacıs and Abdals.Alevis put the doctrine of İnsan-ı Kâmil in the center of their beliefs. The "three sunnahs and seven fards" constitute the fundamental ethical and initiatory framework of the Alevi path, mandating the murids mastery over their actions, speech, and desires alongside strict adherence to esoteric duties such as absolute submission to spiritual authority, the maintenance of müsahiplik, and the preservation of communal secrets. The Alevi beliefs among the Turkish and Kurdish diverge as Kurdish Alevism put more emphasis on Pir Sultan Abdal than Haji Bektash Veli, and it is rooted more in nature veneration.
The vast majority of Alevis adhere to the Bektashi order whilst some follow other heterodox Sufi orders such as the Kalenderi order.
God
In Alevi cosmology, God is also called Hak or referred to as Allah. God created life, so the created world can reflect his Being. Alevis believe in the unity of Allah, Muhammad, and Ali, but this is not a trinity composed of God and the historical figures of Muhammad and Ali. Rather, Muhammad and Ali are representations of Allah's light, being neither independent from God nor separate characteristics of him.In Alevi writings are many references to the unity of Muhammad and Ali, such as:
Wahdat al-wujud and panentheism
The plurality in nature is attributed to the infinite potential energy of Nefs-i Kul when it takes corporeal form as it descends into being from the god. The Alevi concept of God is derived from the philosophy of Ibn Arabi and involves a chain of emanation from God, to spiritual man, earthly man, animals, plants, and minerals. In keeping with the central belief of Wahdat al-mawjud and Wahdat al-wujud, the Alevis base their practices and rituals on their mystical interpretation and perennial philosophy.Spirits and afterlife
Alevis believe in the immortality of the soul, the literal existence of supernatural beings, including good angels and bad angels, as encouragers of humans' evil desires, jinn, and the evil eye.Angels feature in Alevi cosmogony. Although there is no fixed creation narrative among Alevis, it is generally accepted that God created five archangels, who have been invited to the chamber of God. Inside, they found a light representing the light of Muhammad and Ali. In an account parallel to that in the Quran, one of the archangels refuses to prostrate before the light, arguing that the light is a created body just like him and therefore an inappropriate object of worship. He remains at God's service, but rejects the final test and turns back to darkness. From this primordial decline, the devil's enmity towards Adam emerged. The archangels consist of the same four archangels as in orthodox Islam. The fifth archangel, namely Azâzîl, fell from grace, thus not included among the canonical archangels apart from this story.
Another story features the archangel Gabriel, who is asked by God who they are. Gabriel answers: "I am I and you are you". Gabriel gets punished for his haughty answer and is sent away, until Ali reveals a secret to him. When God asks him again, he answers: "You are the creator and I am your creation". Afterwards, Gabriel was accepted and introduced to Muhammad and Ali.
Scriptures and main figures
Alevis acknowledge the four revealed scriptures also recognised in Islam: the Tawrat, the Zabur, the Injil, and the Quran. Additionally, Alevis are not opposed to looking to other religious books outside the four major ones as sources for their beliefs, including Hadiths, Nahjul Balagha, and Buyruks. Alevism also acknowledges the Islamic prophet Mohammed. Alevis do not regard interpretations of the Qur'an today as binding or infallible, since the true meaning of the Quran is considered to be taken as a secret by Ali and must be taught by a teacher, who transmits the teachings of Ali to his disciple.The Twelve Imams are part of another common Alevi belief. Each Imam represents a different aspect of the world. They are realized as twelve services or On İki Hizmet performed by members of the Alevi community. Each Imam is believed to be a reflection of Ali ibn Abu Talib, the first Imam of the Shi'ites. There are references to the "First Ali" ', Imam Hasan the "Second 'Ali" ', and so on up to the "Twelfth 'Ali" , Imam Mehdi. The Twelfth Imam is hidden and represents the Messianic Age.
The Seven Great Poets are poets and poets who explained the initial Alevi belief to the people with the sayings they say and convey messages through written and oral literature from the period they lived in to the present, one of whom is a ruler and the others are from the people. Some additional main figures from the genesis era include; Ahmad Yasawi, Sarı Saltık, Ahi Evran and Abdal Musa.
The saints are called Erenler who usually have türbes and are venerated in certain days. They mostly have the honorifics of 'Abdal', 'Baba', 'Kalender' or 'Veli'. In modern times, people who are influential take the honorifics of either 'Pir' or 'Ana', depending on their genders. Some famous examples of saints include; Yunus Emre, Sheikh Bedreddin, Balım Sultan and Gül Baba.
Jurisprudence
Sources differ on how important formal doctrine is among contemporary Alevi. According to scholar Russell Powell, there is a tradition of informal "Dede" courts within the Alevi society, but regarding Islamic jurisprudence or fiqh there has been "little scholarship on Alevi influences" in it. Alevism has a unique belief system tracing back to Kaysanites and Khurramites.Other elements
It is widely agreed upon that Shamanism has been a shaping factor in Alevism, especially in clerical and ritual practices. Some other concepts such as the nature worship and certain social values are also thought to be an outcome of Central Asian imprint. Some research also speculates that there is some Christian input, in the form of Christian mysticism. There are some other practices and ceremonies that share similarity with other faiths, such as a Eucharist-like ritual meal and yearly confession of sins to a baba.There is some tension between folk tradition/Anatolian Aleviness and the Bektashi Order, whereas Alevis put emphasis on folk elements whilst the order is more liturgy oriented. In certain Turkish communities other Sufi orders have incorporated significant Alevi influence.
Ishikism, is a new syncretic religious movement among Alevis who have developed an alternative understanding of Alevism and its history. These alternative interpretations and beliefs were inspired by Turkish writer Erdoğan Çınar. The Ishik movement claim that the term "Alevi" is derived from the old Anatolian Luvians, claiming that the word "Luvi" means "People of Light" in the Hittite language. Some Ottoman documents from the 16th century refer to the ancestors of today's Alevis as "Işık Taifesi", meaning "People of Light". This is, according to Ishikīs, a proof of the connection between the Luvians and Alevis. These theories, while central to Ishikism, have widely been considered pseudo-history.
In the diaspora, a secularised redefinition of Alevi identity has emerged and become widespread in recent decades, often described as Ali’siz Alevilik, This formulation distanced Alevism from Islamic elements, aligning it more closely with a Marxist-humanist worldview that foregrounded ethics, social justice and resistance.
Practices
The Alevi spiritual path is commonly understood to take place through four major life-stages, or "gates".These may be further subdivided into "four gates, forty levels". The first gate is considered elementary.
Krisztina Kehl-Bodrogi reports that the Tahtacı identify müsahiplik with the first gate şeriat, since they regard it as a precondition for the second tarikat. Those who attain to the third gate marifat, must have been in a müsahiplik relationship for at least twelve years. Entry into the third gate dissolves the müsahiplik relationship, in a ceremony called Öz Verme Âyini. The value corresponding to the second gate is âşinalık. Its counterpart for the third gate is called peşinelik; for the fourth gate hâkikat. Most Alevi activity takes place in the context of the second gate ', during which one submits to a living spiritual guide '. The existence of the third and fourth gates is mostly theoretical, though some older Alevis have apparently received initiation into the third.
There are major crimes that cause an Alevi to be declared düşkün.