An analysis of the trinity and principle beliefs within the Bektashi Alavi order

Abstract

The Bektashi Order is from amongst those orders whose teachings are based upon Shia thought, but whose practices have drastically transformed because of the influence placed upon it by the Christians and Sunnis in the Balkans and Anatolia. Their ontological view is centered on the concept of Imamate and according to them all the grace that is seen in the world is because of the Infallibles as they are the channel of Divine Grace. So in addition to having a legislative role, the Imam has an influence on the system of natural law as well. This research, which relies upon the sacred scriptures of the Bektashi Alavi Order, aims to show that their fundamental beliefs were based upon Shia thought and that they have faith in the pillars and subsidiaries of religion; even though they may differ from the Shia in certain practices and apparent rituals, there is no difference between them regarding the pillars and fundamentals of religion. Furthermore, the attempts of certain Sunni scholars to try and separate this Order from its Shia roots and introduce it as a Sunni order in the form of academic articles will be shown to be incorrect and invalid. Furthermore, the attribution of a Christian trinity like concept to this order is a baseless and unfair claim and essentially flawed. In this paper, light will be thrown on certain important discrepancies regarding the beliefs of the Bektashi Alavi Order that were previously overlooked and the unity of their belief system with that of the Shia's will be attempted to be proven by means of content analysis of the main sacred scriptures of the Alavis such as the Buyruks, Husniyyah and the Divan of the Seven Poets, as these texts act as interpreters for their beliefs.

Keywords

• alavi
• bektashi
• shia
• sufi
• sufism
• imamate