Comparative Theology (May 2023)
An Approach to the Intellectual Evolution of Ahl-e Haqq (Yarsanian Religion) from its Advent to the Present Era
Abstract
The present study explains the causes of the intellectual changes of Ahl-e Haqq from its beginning to the present era using a descriptive-analytical method and a review of its main texts. The Yarsanians (Ahl-e Haqq) have linked the origin of their religion to the era of Imam Ali (AS) based on the manifestation of God's nature and attributes. At the beginning of its formation, this religion had a thought similar to Kisanian. Belief in three infallible imams was one of the religious features of this religion in the early centuries. In the 11th century, due to intellectual developments, the Yarsanians were inclined towards the Imamiyyah approach and the thinking of Sufis and mystics. This study answered the question that, according to the texts of Ahl-e Haqq, what the intellectual and religious developments of Ahl-e Haqq are. The findings of this research show that the period of innate emergence and the formation of families played a role in the evolution of this religion. In the era of Sultan Ishaq, the arrogance about the religious authorities intensified compared to the previous periods, and from the 11th century onwards, the intensity of the arrogance about the leaders of this religion decreased a little. Examining the attitude of Ahl-e Haqq in different periods is another goal of this study. Keywords: Yarsanian Religion, Ahl-e Haqq, Sultan Ishaq, Inherent Manifestation. IntroductionThe present study has examined the issue that the Ahl-e Haqq religion has faced intellectual changes after its formation in the 2nd century AH due to the inherent emergence and surrounding conditions. The people of this religion had a unity of thought in the early centuries, but in the following ages, due to the establishment of Perdiori families by Sultan Ishaq and the formation of new families after Perdior, the people of Yarasan faced different divisions and different beliefs. Therefore, some groups (families) consider themselves to be an independent religion, and some consider themselves to be Shia, such as the family of Atash Begi.Due to the fact that the ritual materials are processed with the accents and dialects of the Kurdish language and are mysterious and with unfamiliar terms, ritual texts about Ahl-e Haqq have not been scientifically investigated. On the other hand, because the religious texts are not specific to a historical period, therefore, in every era where the period of innate emergence has been manifested, a theological collection has been presented by the leaders of this religion. Due to the special complexities of collections, by deciphering and analyzing their content, one can understand the thoughts of the righteous leaders and the difference in their attitudes at different ages. In this regard, the present study aims to answer the following two research questions:What factors have caused the intellectual changes in this group (religion)?Which of the Ahl-e Haqq families have approached the Imamiyyah? Materials and MethodsThe study uses a descriptive-analytical method. Considering that the principles of Ahl-e Haqq are specific to this religion, the related basics, concepts, and terms have been explained and defined based on the original and primary texts of Ahl-e Haqq. The opinions of the elders of this tribe have been extracted from coded texts. Concepts such as the manifestation of the essence in man, the quality of the angels’ relationship with man, as well as the knowledge of God, which must be known as the basis of the knowledge of the people of truth, have been examined in terms of meaning and concept. Research FindingsThe results showed that the fundamental principles of Ahl-e Haqq include the effectiveness of the manifestation of God and the relationship of the angel with man and the world. Due to the manifestation of the essence and attributes, a period of intrinsic emergence is formed, after which the elders have expressed religious knowledge in the form of verses. The principles of these foundations in the words of different periods are not processed in the same way, but in their works, while sharing the basics, we encounter different approaches. The basics of this religion were presented in a brief and summary form in the early period, and the mentioned principles were developed and deepened in the period of Perdiuri. Then, the attitude of Yarasan in the later period was faced with intellectual and belief changes and it was oriented towards the attitude of Twelver Shi'ism. In the words of the early periods and even the Perdiuri period, they often talked about three infallible Imams, but in the later religious works, they talked about the twelve Imams and the emergence of Imam Zaman (AS).The emergence of some families, such as Atash Begi, who consider themselves to be the people of the Haq Jafari religion, should be considered as the result of intellectual developments in the later periods. Two factors have played a role in the intellectual evolution of Yarasan, the people who entered this religion from other religions or sects, and the peripheral thoughts such as Sufis and mystics. Discussion of Results and ConclusionsThis religion had a fluid thought. Due to the fact that people from different religions have converted to this religion, and also since the leaders of this group had contact with mystics and Sufis, intellectual and belief changes are visible among them in every historical period. During different periods, the Atash Begi family considers itself Imamite Shia. The heads of this family, while adhering to the family's rituals and customs, are considerate of religious practices such as daily prayers, fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, and other religious teachings. In religious matters, this family acts under the authority of the head of the family, and in personal matters, they follow the Shia authority (Marja’a). After this family, the Shah Hayasi family considered themselves as followers of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS).
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