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Nusayreeyah (Alawiyyah)

History, belief, practices

Veronika Matulova

2012

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Alhamdulillahirabbil-'alamin was salatu was salamu 'ala ashrifil anbiya wal-mursaleen nabiyina Muhammad wa 'ala alihi wa sahbihi ajma'in. Ammaba'ad:

Nusayreeyah (Alawiyyah)
Introduction to Nusayreeyah

Nusayreeyah, also known as Alawiyyah, is the only sect of the Shiite extremist group the Ghulat 1 known to exist today. 2 We will be using the term Nusayree or Nusayreeyah3, because Alawee can describe the Moroccan royal family or Sufi order named after Algerian Shaykh Ahmad al-Alawee,4 Nusayreeyah are considered to be from among Batiniyah 5, who interpret religious texts exclusively on the basis of their hidden or inner, rather than their literal meanings.6 Shaykh Ibn Taymiyyah alluded to such classification in his Majmoo al-Fatawa 35/145. 1930s, during the French mandate, Nusayreeyah stated that they were not Muslims and declared the Sunnites as their enemies. 7

Arabic: extremists, exaggerators. Term of disrespect applied to various early Shia groups that expressed radical revolutionary political doctrines and eclectic theological views from the perspective of Ithna Ashariyyah. A Concise Encyclopedia of Islam, Gordon Newby, p. 67 2 Ibid., p. 24 3 Plural of Nusayree 4 New Encyclopedia of Islam: Concise Encyclopedia of Islam, Cyril Glass, p.36 5 From Arabic word batin literary inward. 6 Encyclopedia Britannica 7 Extremist Shiites: The Ghulat Sects, Matti Moosa, p.417
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Origins

Nusayreeyah is named after Muhammad ibn Nusayr, a disciple of the Imams Ali alHadi and al-Hasan al-Ashari, who were the tenth and the eleventh imams of Twelver Shiism. However, the real founder appears to have been al-Husayn ibn Hamdan al-Khasibi.8 They are possibly a relic of the Sevener Shiites movement, or merely of pre-Islamic Christian Gnostics, and probably very closely related to the Syrian branch of the revolutionary Qarmatians of the 10th century.9

Geographical location

The original location of Nusayreeyah is in mountain range called Jabal alNusayreeyah in Northern Syria. They can also be found in numbers of the Syrian provinces; Lebanese district of Akkar, south of Latakia; and in the Turkish provinces of Hatay, Seyhan, Tarus, and Anioch. A small number of Nusayrees lives in Israeli-occupied West Bank of Jordan, Iraq, Yemen and even Brazil.10

History of Nusayreeyah in Syria

League of Nations placed Syria under a French mandate in 1919. This divided Syria into four districts, and the Nusayreeyah territory was one of them. French authorities encouraged Syrians to join the army and since Sunnite Muslims refused to go, minority groups, especially Nusayreeyah, enlisted. The French formed Les Troupes Spcial du Levant, which consisted mostly out of Nusayrees recruits. Once they gained higher-ranked positions in the army, Nusayreeyah asked their relatives to also join. This was the beginning of armed
Medieval Islamic Civilization: An Encyclopedia, Josef W. Meri, Vol. 1, p. 569 New Encyclopedia of Islam: Concise Encyclopedia of Islam, Cyril Glass, p. 36 10 Extremist Shiites: The Ghulat Sects, Matti Moosa, p. 256
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power, which ultimately led to political power by series of military coups.11 Nusayreeyah came into control of the country in 1971, and Hafez Al-Assad became the president. After his death in 2000, his son Bashar Hafez al-Assad took over. Initially, he was seen as a potential reformer. However, these expectations were soon torn apart and led to Syrian uprising in March 2011.

Major beliefs and the importance of secrecy

Beliefs

Nusayreeyah are often called Shiites, but despite their reference to Ali (Alawee), their doctrines do not correspond in any way. Their teachings resemble Ismaili teachings in their Gnostic characteristics or dualist ideas.12 The fundamental tenet of this religion lies in the exaggerated position of Ali, regarding him as God.13 They believe that unknowable and indescribable God manifested himself seven times14 in the world in human form, and Ali ibn Abu Talib was the last and most perfect manifestation. Ali ibn Abu Talib, together with two other people 15 , form inseparable trinity called Mana-Ism-Baab.16 Muhammad is ism (name), Ali baab (door) and Salman al Farisi mana (meaning). Both Muhammad and Ali are considered to be emanation of Salman al-Farisi. This points to the Sevener movement, proto-Ismaeelism, as found in the book called the Umm al-Kitab from 8th century. Their religious symbols, the initials ayn meem sad, (AMS) stand for the Divine Realityof Salman and its two hypostasesMuhammad and Ali.17

Ibid., p. 280-281 New Encyclopedia of Islam: Concise Encyclopedia of Islam, Cyril Glass, p. 36 13 Extremist Shiites: The Ghulat Sects, Matti Moosa, p. 314 14 Probably derived from the Ismaeeli concept of seven emanations. (Ibid.) 15 Prophet Muhammad and Salman al Farisi 16 Secret sect of Syria and the Lebanon, Bernard H. Springett, p. 140 17 New Encyclopedia of Islam: Concise Encyclopedia of Islam, Cyril Glass, p. 36-37
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They believe that Ali and prophets descended from heaven bodiless, and that the bodies which they inhabited were but facades to hide their religion from those who are not Nusayreeyah. 18 According to their teachings, Great Luminous World, which is in the Heaven, and the little earthly world, the residence of men, are from among many worlds known to God. Nusayree have to believe in the existence of the Luminous Spiritual World of seven hierarchies, each with seven degrees, which have their representatives in the earthly world. This earthly world also contains seven degrees of believers.19 They believe in the transmigration of soul, which is common with other secrets sects of the East. Their doctrine states that their souls existed as moving lights and luminous stars before the creation of the world. Out of their disobedience, Ali as God, created devils and Satans, and out of the sins of those devils women. Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman are considered to be Satan of three people in one.20 According to their teachings, women do not have souls. The souls of the enemies of Ali will pass into dogs and other unclean brutes, till they enter fire to be burnt and beaten with hammer. Souls of Nusayreeyah will be passing from one body into another one, more perfect than this. After the seventh transmigration, Nusayree soul will be purified and becomes a star in heaven.21 If one of them decides to leave the religion, his mother is considered an adulteress among them from among those, from who creed he adopts.22

Scriptures

The religious literature of Nusayreeyah includes a Manual of Instructions and a Catechism.23 Their holy book is called Kitab al-Majmoo (The Book of the Collection) and
The Book of Sulaimans First Ripe Fruit, Sulaiman Effendi, p. 253 Secret sect of Syria and the Lebanon, Bernard H. Springett, p.141 20 The Book of Sulaimans First Ripe Fruit, Sulaiman Effendi, p.286-287 21 Secret sect of Syria and the Lebanon, Bernard H. Springett, p.144 22 The Book of Sulaimans First Ripe Fruit, Sulaiman Effendi, p.296
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it is said that, among other things, it contains scraps of a corrupt version of the Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle.24

Rituals and festivals

Nusayreeyah do not practice any of the rites of Islam. However, they simulate all sects, in order to keep their belief secret. If they pray with Muslims, they are instructed to imitate prayer by lowering and raising voices, but instead of prayer curse Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman, may Allah be pleased with them all.25 Nusayreeyah have various forms of prayer. Each form of prayer is called a chapter, and it comprises of recitals from the collection titled Dustoor (the Canon).26 There are four parties of Nusayreeyah: those who adore the heavens and the twilight; worshippers of the moon; or worshippers of the air.27 Since according to their creed women were created from the sins of devils, they are not taught forms of prayer.28 Among their festivals is the Birth-time of Lord Messiah; Festival of the Baptism; and Festival of John the Baptist. These festivals are celebrated in the house of the person that financed this celebration and ceremonial wine representing the image of Ali is drank there. 29

Secrecy and Initiation into the mystery

To protect themselves from allegorical or esoteric interpretation of the Quran and their communities from the intrusion of foreign ideas, they keep their teaching absolutely secret. They will not disclose their secret teachings to strangers. Nusayreeyah
Secret sect of Syria and the Lebanon, Bernard H. Springett, p. 144 New Encyclopedia of Islam: Concise Encyclopedia of Islam, Cyril Glass, p. 37 25 Ibid., p. 296 26 The Book of Sulaimans First Ripe Fruit, Sulaiman Effendi, p. 284 27 Ibid., p. 254 28 Ibid., p. 286-287 29 Ibid., p. 264-265, 269, 278
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members recognize themselves among others by series of special question with particular answers.30 Abd Al-Qahir Al-Baghdadi explains that the founders of these esoteric religions were Majus (adherent of Mazdaism) who did not dare to proclaim their religion openly, for fear for their lives. Initiation into the mysteries of the sect is therefore an extremely important ceremonial process.31 Between the ages of eighteen to twenty, young Nusayree is being initiated into the mystery through different ceremonies. The first is Betokening Adoption which includes drinking a cup of wine and placing the sandal of Pursuivant on the candidates head. Second, called Kings Adoption is forty days later. The candidate drinks another cup of wine and is directed to pronounce cabalistic words composed of three letters 32 five hundred times a day. About seven or nine months later is the final ceremony; the candidate drinks some more wine and swears to be cut to pieces before disclosing this august mystery which only the Approved can support. The candidate then brings forth twelve sponsors who will swear that if he (candidate) will divulge this mystery, they will bring him to the Imam so that they may cut him to pieces, and drink his blood. Subsequently another two sponsors are chosen to be sponsors for the twelve sponsors and also for the candidate to swear alike.33

Ruling of the scholars on the Nusayreeyah sect

Shaykh Ibn Taymiyyah in his Majmoo al-Fatawa 35/145 stated that Nusayreeyah are even greater disbelievers than the Jews and Christians. Scholar and historian Ibn Katheer proclaimed that they must be considered nonMuslims for they reject Islams main tenets.34

30

Secret sect of Syria and the Lebanon, Bernard H. Springett, p. 176-177 Extremist Shiites: The Ghulat Sects, Matti Moosa, p. 372, 32 Namely AMS, meaning Ali, Muhammad and Salman. (The Book of Sulaimans First Ripe Fruit, Sulaiman Effendi, p. 229 33 Ibid. p. 229 - 234 34 The Secret of the Alawites: Ghosts and Beasts Stalk Assad's Syria, Anissa Haddadi, International Business Times
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The scholars agree that it is not permitted to marry members of Nusayree sect.35

Mawqif Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamaaah min Ahl al-Ahwaa wal-Bida by Dr. Ibraaheem al-Raheeli, 1/377-380 (islamqa.info, Fatwa no: 9072)
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Works Cited

al-Munajjid, Muhammad Salih. Islam Q&A - Questions & Answers. 1997 - 2012. fatwa bank. 20 December 2012. al-Raheeli, Ibraaheem. "Mawqif Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamaaah min Ahl al-Ahwaa wal-Bida." www.islamqa.info, n.d. Online Fatwa. 'Effendi, Sulaiman. "The Book of Sulaiman's First Ripe Fruit: Disclosing the Mysteries of the Nusairian Religion ." Salisbury, Edward E. Journal of the American Oriental Society, Eighth Volume. E. Hayes, 1866. Encyclopdia Britannica. Encyclopdia Britannica, Inc., n.d. Glass, Cyril. New Encyclopedia of Islam: Concise Encyclopedia of Islam (revised edition). Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press, 2001. pdf book. Haddadi, Anissa. "The Secret of the Alawites: Ghosts and Beasts Stalk Assad's Syria." International Business Times, UK Edition 8 June 2012. Online article. Ibn Taymiyyah. Majmoo al-Fatawa. n.d. Meri, Josef W. Medieval Islamic Civilization an Encyclopedia; Volume 1, A - K, index. Routledge, 2006. Moosa, Matti. Extremist Shiites: The Ghulat Sects. Syracuse, New York: Syracuse University Press, 1988. pdf Book. Newby, Gordon. Concise Encyclopedia of Islam. Oxford: Oneworld Publications, 2002. Springett, Bernard H. Secret sect of Syria and the Lebanon. Unwin Brothers, Limited, The Gresham Press, London and Working, 1922. pdf Book.