Alevism

Outside the Fold

الألويون (الأناضوليون)

Overview

A syncretic religious tradition originating in Anatolia (Turkey) in the medieval period, combining elements of Islam, Shia veneration of Ali, pre-Islamic Anatolian shamanism, and Central Asian Turkic traditions. Concentrated in Turkey (forming roughly 15–25% of the population). Alevis do not follow the Five Pillars conventionally: they do not typically perform the five daily prayers, do not observe Ramadan fasting, do not attend mosque, and do not perform Hajj. Their central worship form is the Cem ceremony, performed with music (saz) and communal gathering including men and women together.

Key Beliefs

Veneration of Ali and the Twelve Imams (similar to Shia but more syncretic)
The Cem ceremony — communal worship with music, poetry, and dance — as the primary religious practice
The Five Pillars of Islam are allegorized or not performed conventionally
Absorption of pre-Islamic Anatolian shamanic and Turkic religious elements

Scholarly Evaluation

Outside the fold of Islam per Ahl us-Sunnah scholarly consensus. While Alevis use Islamic terminology and identify culturally as Muslim, their religious practice has departed fundamentally from Islamic worship. The abandonment of the Five Pillars, the incorporation of music and mixed-gender worship not found in any Islamic tradition, and the syncretic absorption of non-Islamic elements place Alevism outside what can be defined as Islam. Many Alevis themselves distinguish their tradition from Sunni Islam and object to being classified under it.

Key Figures

Haji Bektash Veli (1209–1271 CE) — major Alevi-Bektashi saint
Pir Sultan Abdal (16th century CE) — beloved Alevi poet

Sources

Al-Milal wal-Nihal (al-Shahrastani) — on syncretic groups
Ahl us-Sunnah scholarly fatwas on Alevism

Founded

1300 CE