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Alawites (Syria): Difference between revisions
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The Zengid bias actions led to quarrels between sects and the continued displacement of the Alawites. On some occasions, the Zengid rulers encouraged skirmishes between the Shi'as and the Sunnis in order to undermine the Shi'as, and this led to the murder of a great number of the Shi'as. | The Zengid bias actions led to quarrels between sects and the continued displacement of the Alawites. On some occasions, the Zengid rulers encouraged skirmishes between the Shi'as and the Sunnis in order to undermine the Shi'as, and this led to the murder of a great number of the Shi'as. | ||
The Zengid oppression lasted until the invasion of [[Salah al-Din b. Ayyub]] (Saladin) to conquer Aleppo. However, Malik Salih, Nur al- | The Zengid oppression lasted until the invasion of [[Salah al-Din b. Ayyub]] (Saladin) to conquer Aleppo. However, Malik Salih, Nur al-Din's son, who had first adopted his father's policy against the Shi'as, took resort to the Shi'as after the Ayyubid invasion and siege of Aleppo in 570/1174 in order to resist the Ayyubids. The Shi'as pledged to support him on the condition that he removes the restrictions on their religious freedom. | ||
Thus, as a result of | Thus, as a result of Saladin's attack, restrictions against the Shi'as were lifted and a unity took shape between Shiite and Sunni residents of Aleppo. However, this period did not last long, since Saladin eventually conquered Aleppo in 571/1175. | ||
===In the Period of the Ayyubids=== | ===In the Period of the Ayyubids=== | ||
When the [[Isma'ili]] [[Fatimid]] caliphate was toppled down by Saladin, he departed to [[Syria]] and conquered its northern and central areas. The Alawites played a crucial role in | When the [[Isma'ili]] [[Fatimid]] caliphate was toppled down by Saladin, he departed to [[Syria]] and conquered its northern and central areas. The Alawites played a crucial role in Saladin's conquests of these areas because of their knowledge of the mountainous roads and ways. The contributions of the Alawites in Saladin's victories in his battles against the Romans overshadowed his biased religious policies for the Alawites, such that he is highly regarded of in Alawite sources, although his biased actions are also referred to. | ||
After his conquests, Saladin always attacked [[Imami]] Shi'as, and in particular, the Alawites, in Aleppo and the coasts of Syria. His biases against the Imami Shi'as led to cultural and social actions and even military actions against the Alawites. Thus, some researchers believe that the history of Aleppo and Syria after the 2nd/8th century did not see a ruler more biased than Saladin. | After his conquests, Saladin always attacked [[Imami]] Shi'as, and in particular, the Alawites, in Aleppo and the coasts of Syria. His biases against the Imami Shi'as led to cultural and social actions and even military actions against the Alawites. Thus, some researchers believe that the history of Aleppo and Syria after the 2nd/8th century did not see a ruler more biased than Saladin. | ||
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In period of the [[Mamluk dynasty]], the Alawites faced a great deal of oppression just like the earlier Sunni governments. According to some scholars, the Mamluks were harder on the Shi'as and the Alawites than other governments in Syria. It should not be overlooked that [[Ibn Taymiyya]] had a role in increasing the oppression in early 8th/[[14th century]]. In a [[fatwa]] he issued in 705/1305, Ibn Taymiyya announced that different Shiite sects, including the Nusayriyya, were permitted to be killed, and then he stated that it is the greatest Sharia obligation to wage a [[jihad]] against them and execute the Islamic rulings about them. | In period of the [[Mamluk dynasty]], the Alawites faced a great deal of oppression just like the earlier Sunni governments. According to some scholars, the Mamluks were harder on the Shi'as and the Alawites than other governments in Syria. It should not be overlooked that [[Ibn Taymiyya]] had a role in increasing the oppression in early 8th/[[14th century]]. In a [[fatwa]] he issued in 705/1305, Ibn Taymiyya announced that different Shiite sects, including the Nusayriyya, were permitted to be killed, and then he stated that it is the greatest Sharia obligation to wage a [[jihad]] against them and execute the Islamic rulings about them. | ||
After the fatwa, the army of Mamluks attacked the residential areas of the Alawites in [[Muharram]], [[705]]/August 1305 under the commandership of the regent, Aqrash Afram, killing the Alawites and plundered their residences. The event is referred to in the Alawite sources as the | After the fatwa, the army of Mamluks attacked the residential areas of the Alawites in [[Muharram]], [[705]]/August 1305 under the commandership of the regent, Aqrash Afram, killing the Alawites and plundered their residences. The event is referred to in the Alawite sources as the "slaughter of the Alawites". The Alawites underwent most tragedies after the invasion of the territories of the Mamluks by [[Timur]], the founder of the [[Timurid]] dynasty. In these attacks, 20,000 people were killed in Aleppo in 802/1399 and the areas in the north of Syria were ruined and the decline of the Alawites was thus accomplished. | ||
==In the Period of the Ottoman Empire== | ==In the Period of the Ottoman Empire== | ||
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===Alawites under the French Mandate=== | ===Alawites under the French Mandate=== | ||
[[File:پرچم دولت مستقل علویان در دوره قیمومیت فرانسه بر سوریه.png|220px|thumbnail|The flag of Alawites during the French mandate]] | [[File:پرچم دولت مستقل علویان در دوره قیمومیت فرانسه بر سوریه.png|220px|thumbnail|The flag of Alawites during the French mandate]] | ||
In 1920, France recognized the area of Nusayriyya mountains as an independent from other areas the formation of | In 1920, France recognized the area of Nusayriyya mountains as an independent from other areas the formation of Latakia's Alawite government. In 1922, the Alawite lands came to be known as the "Alawite government" and General Bayut was appointed as its ruler. Independent judicial courts were then founded which adjudicated the cases on the basis of the [[Ja'fari fiqh]]. | ||
===The Establishment of the Independent Alawite State=== | ===The Establishment of the Independent Alawite State=== | ||
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* Shumaliyya: the Shumaliyya or Shamsiyya is an Alawite branch living in the coasts of Lattakia. Among other things, they believe that [[Amir al-Mu'minin (a)]] will reappear in the heart of the sun. | * Shumaliyya: the Shumaliyya or Shamsiyya is an Alawite branch living in the coasts of Lattakia. Among other things, they believe that [[Amir al-Mu'minin (a)]] will reappear in the heart of the sun. | ||
* Kulaziyya: the Kulaziyya or Qamariyya or Janubiyya is an Alawite sect living in the mountains. They are attributed to Shaykh Muhammad Kulazi. They believe that [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] lives on the moon. They take him to be the essence of the moon who is now hidden from the eyes. They believe that he will be visible when | * Kulaziyya: the Kulaziyya or Qamariyya or Janubiyya is an Alawite sect living in the mountains. They are attributed to Shaykh Muhammad Kulazi. They believe that [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] lives on the moon. They take him to be the essence of the moon who is now hidden from the eyes. They believe that he will be visible when one's soul separates from his body. After the [[Islamic Revolution of Iran]], this sect received the cultural and religious support of the Islamic Republic of Iran and abandoned its exaggerative beliefs, tending to more moderate Shiite views. | ||
* Haydariyya: it is attributed to [[Haydar]] which is a title of Imam 'Ali (a). The Haydariyya consists of two sects of the Qalandariyya Tariqa (mystical path): one of them is attributed to [[Qutb al-Din Haydar Zawa'i]] (d. 618/1221) and the other is attributed to Mir Qutb al-Din Haydar Tuni (d. 830/1426). Thus, Haydariyya turned into a branch of the Alawites with a restrained commitment to the Sharia. This sect was also supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran and as a result, its commitment to the Sharia and Islamic rulings increased. | * Haydariyya: it is attributed to [[Haydar]] which is a title of Imam 'Ali (a). The Haydariyya consists of two sects of the Qalandariyya Tariqa (mystical path): one of them is attributed to [[Qutb al-Din Haydar Zawa'i]] (d. 618/1221) and the other is attributed to Mir Qutb al-Din Haydar Tuni (d. 830/1426). Thus, Haydariyya turned into a branch of the Alawites with a restrained commitment to the Sharia. This sect was also supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran and as a result, its commitment to the Sharia and Islamic rulings increased. | ||
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* Junbalaniyya: this sect was established by [[Abu Muhammad 'Abd Allah Junbalani]] (d. 287/900), known as Janan. In the 15th/21st century, the sect continues to exist in Syria as well as Iraq and Iran with eclectic beliefs from the Shi'as, the Sunni, the Sufis, and the [[Ghalis]] (people who exaggerate about the [[Imams (a)]]). | * Junbalaniyya: this sect was established by [[Abu Muhammad 'Abd Allah Junbalani]] (d. 287/900), known as Janan. In the 15th/21st century, the sect continues to exist in Syria as well as Iraq and Iran with eclectic beliefs from the Shi'as, the Sunni, the Sufis, and the [[Ghalis]] (people who exaggerate about the [[Imams (a)]]). | ||
* Murshidiyya: this is newly emerged religious sect which has branched from the Alawites in the 20th century. The sect is led by an Alawite called | * Murshidiyya: this is newly emerged religious sect which has branched from the Alawites in the 20th century. The sect is led by an Alawite called "Salman Murshid". He abandoned the main Alawite beliefs and turned to personal divinity which is a sort of [[polytheism]]. Thus, they do not consider themselves as Alawites, just as the Alawites do not consider the Murshidiyya to be Alawites. The followers of the sect are about 300,000 who mainly live in the governorates of Lattakia, Tartus, Homs, and the areas near Damascus such as Jobar and Mamuniya. | ||
==Beliefs== | ==Beliefs== | ||
Historically as well as by the sources of sects and creeds, the Nusayriyya have been classified as exaggerating ([[Ghali]]) Shiite sects. Most sources take the Nusayriyya to be Ghali sects of the [[Imamiyya]] which branched in the period of the [[Minor Occultation]]. | Historically as well as by the sources of sects and creeds, the Nusayriyya have been classified as exaggerating ([[Ghali]]) Shiite sects. Most sources take the Nusayriyya to be Ghali sects of the [[Imamiyya]] which branched in the period of the [[Minor Occultation]]. | ||
The most essential beliefs of the Nusayriyya throughout their history include the immanence of God in Imam 'Ali (a), ' | The most essential beliefs of the Nusayriyya throughout their history include the immanence of God in Imam 'Ali (a), 'Ali's (a) divinity, abolishment of religious obligations and the permission of religious [[haram (fiqh)|bans]]. They believe that [[the Prophet Muhammad (s)]] has announced [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]] as the religious authority of all Muslims. They also believe in [[tabarra]] (aversion) to the enemies of Ahl al-Bayt (a). | ||
The remarkable deviations of the Alawites from the mainstream Imamiyya are linked to their particular historical and geographical conditions and the beliefs in which they grew. These conditions include the oppression of unjust governments and the religious biases of Sunni governments of Syria, their residence in the borders between Muslims and Crusaders, the constant invasions of the Crusaders on them, their geographical isolation, and their disconnection from the Imami centers. Thus, they were influenced from Sufism, [[Isma'iliyya]], and [[Christianity]]. However, some reports in books of sects and creeds about the Syrian Alawites were only groundless accusations out of the prejudices of their authors. | The remarkable deviations of the Alawites from the mainstream Imamiyya are linked to their particular historical and geographical conditions and the beliefs in which they grew. These conditions include the oppression of unjust governments and the religious biases of Sunni governments of Syria, their residence in the borders between Muslims and Crusaders, the constant invasions of the Crusaders on them, their geographical isolation, and their disconnection from the Imami centers. Thus, they were influenced from Sufism, [[Isma'iliyya]], and [[Christianity]]. However, some reports in books of sects and creeds about the Syrian Alawites were only groundless accusations out of the prejudices of their authors. | ||
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Shiite [[marja'|authorities]], including Ayatollah [[Sayyid Ali Khamenei]], [[Ayatollah Safi Gulpayigani]], [[Ayatollah Makarim Shirazi]], [[Ayatollah Nuri Hamadani]], [[Ayatollah Musawi Ardabili]], and [[Al-Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Fadl Allah]] have considered the Syrian Alawites as Twelver Shi'as in reply to questions in this regard. The question has cited the statement by the Alawites in their 1972 conference in Latakia, in which they expressed their views which agree with those of the Imami Shi'as. | Shiite [[marja'|authorities]], including Ayatollah [[Sayyid Ali Khamenei]], [[Ayatollah Safi Gulpayigani]], [[Ayatollah Makarim Shirazi]], [[Ayatollah Nuri Hamadani]], [[Ayatollah Musawi Ardabili]], and [[Al-Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Fadl Allah]] have considered the Syrian Alawites as Twelver Shi'as in reply to questions in this regard. The question has cited the statement by the Alawites in their 1972 conference in Latakia, in which they expressed their views which agree with those of the Imami Shi'as. | ||
[[Ayatollah Ja'far Subhani]] holds that beliefs attributed to the Nusayriyya, such as immanence, exaggeration about the Imams (a), reincarnations, the [[prophethood]] of Muhammad b. Nusayr, Imam ' | [[Ayatollah Ja'far Subhani]] holds that beliefs attributed to the Nusayriyya, such as immanence, exaggeration about the Imams (a), reincarnations, the [[prophethood]] of Muhammad b. Nusayr, Imam 'Ali's (a) and [[Muhammad (s)]] sharing the prophethood, incest marriage, and the like are just accusations without any reliable sources and evidence. He takes the greatest accusation against the Alawites to be the exaggeration about Imam 'Ali (a). | ||
Rabbani Gulpayigani also believes that what old and contemporary sources say about Alawites are not reliable, because they are biased. | Rabbani Gulpayigani also believes that what old and contemporary sources say about Alawites are not reliable, because they are biased. | ||