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Alawites (Syria): Difference between revisions
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When the [[Seljuk dynasty]] in Syria was defeated by Imad al-Din Zangi in [[521]]/1127 in Aleppo, the Zengid dynasty began to rule Syria and northern Iraq. Not only did not the change of government decrease pressures on the Alawites, it increased anti-Shiite actions to some extent. Nur al-Din Muhammad Zangi who succeeded his father, Imad al-Din, was known as the most biased anti-Shiite ruler in Aleppo and northern Syria. | When the [[Seljuk dynasty]] in Syria was defeated by Imad al-Din Zangi in [[521]]/1127 in Aleppo, the Zengid dynasty began to rule Syria and northern Iraq. Not only did not the change of government decrease pressures on the Alawites, it increased anti-Shiite actions to some extent. Nur al-Din Muhammad Zangi who succeeded his father, Imad al-Din, was known as the most biased anti-Shiite ruler in Aleppo and northern Syria. | ||
He strongly oppressed the Shiite rituals since 541/1146 | He strongly oppressed the Shiite rituals since 541/1146. For example, he banned the recitation of [[Hayya 'ala khayr al-'amal]] (Arabic: {{ia|حي علی خیر العمل}}) in [[adhan]]. The action was followed by Shiite reactions and led to clashes with Sunni groups. | ||
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-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. | 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 570/1174-5 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 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. | 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 571/1175-6. | ||
===In the Period of the Ayyubids=== | ===In the Period of the Ayyubids=== | ||
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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 "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. | 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 802/1399-400 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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* 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. | * 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. 618/1221-2) and the other is attributed to Mir Qutb al-Din Haydar Tuni (d. 830/1426-7). 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. | ||
* 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)]]). | ||