What is Alawite Islam (in Syria)?

[Amergin]

I have heard of Shia Islam, Sunni Islam, Wahabi Islam, and now Alawite Islam (the last being the ruling class of Syria.

What is Alawite and could someone briefly tell me how it differs from the other forms of Islam?

Amergin

 

[Muslimwoman]

Salam Amergin

From what I can find the Alawi sect are a splinter group of Shia Islam. They consider themselves Muslim but many Sunni scholars do not because of the religious practices (some going as far as to say they are worse than unbelievers).

They are a very secretive group when it comes to their religious beliefs and practices but some known issues make them stand out from mainstream Muslims:

1. They believe in divine incarnation, believing "I testify that there is no God but Ali." As Christians believe Jesus (pbuh) was the divine incarnation of God, so Alawites believe Ali was the divine incarnation and he created Prophet Mohamed (pbut) from his own light.

2. They celebrate Christmas and Easter, using bread and wine in their ceremonies. Their religious practices include some from a number of religions.

3. They do not believe the Quran is the Word of God to be read and strictly followed.

4. They follow 7 pillars of Islam rather than the 5 pillars Sunni's follow (they include jihad and defending Ali as pillars).

5. They consider the pillars as symbolic rather than obligations, so they don't pray regularly or fast, etc.

6. They believe in reincarnation.

It is not for me to say if they are or are not Muslims, what is important is they consider themselves Muslim.

I understand the Syrian leader converted to Sunni Islam but everyone accepts this was symbolic/political rather than faith based.

Islamic critic, Wafa Sultan, was/is Alawi ... which is why I get so angry with her statements about Islamic belief, as it would be like me denouncing Shia Muslim beliefs without any knowledge of what they really are.

The French actually put the Alawi community in positions of authority in Syria, in a bid to weaken mainstreams Muslim control. A past uprising in Syria of Sunni Muslims led to the Alawi ruling sect killing around 10,000 Sunni's and I think there would be a lot of trouble for Alawites if the ruling party loses the leadership in Syria.

 

[bob x]

4. They follow 7 pillars of Islam rather than the 5 pillars Sunni's follow (they include jihad and defending Ali as pillars).

I thought there were four: the five daily prayers; tithing to charity; fasting during Ramadan; and making the pilgrimage when able. What am I omitting?

 

[Amergin]

Salam Amergin

From what I can find the Alawi sect are a splinter group of Shia Islam. They consider themselves Muslim but many Sunni scholars do not because of the religious practices (some going as far as to say they are worse than unbelievers).

They are a very secretive group when it comes to their religious beliefs and practices but some known issues make them stand out from mainstream Muslims:

1. They believe in divine incarnation, believing "I testify that there is no God but Ali." As Christians believe Jesus (pbuh) was the divine incarnation of God, so Alawites believe Ali was the divine incarnation and he created Prophet Mohamed (pbut) from his own light.

2. They celebrate Christmas and Easter, using bread and wine in their ceremonies. Their religious practices include some from a number of religions.

3. They do not believe the Quran is the Word of God to be read and strictly followed.

4. They follow 7 pillars of Islam rather than the 5 pillars Sunni's follow (they include jihad and defending Ali as pillars).

5. They consider the pillars as symbolic rather than obligations, so they don't pray regularly or fast, etc.

6. They believe in reincarnation.

It is not for me to say if they are or are not Muslims, what is important is they consider themselves Muslim.

I understand the Syrian leader converted to Sunni Islam but everyone accepts this was symbolic/political rather than faith based.

Islamic critic, Wafa Sultan, was/is Alawi ... which is why I get so angry with her statements about Islamic belief, as it would be like me denouncing Shia Muslim beliefs without any knowledge of what they really are.

The French actually put the Alawi community in positions of authority in Syria, in a bid to weaken mainstreams Muslim control. A past uprising in Syria of Sunni Muslims led to the Alawi ruling sect killing around 10,000 Sunni's and I think there would be a lot of trouble for Alawites if the ruling party loses the leadership in Syria.

Thank you very much for that excellent and concise discussion. I hope if you do not mind: I would like to save it to my files.

Amergin

 

[Muslimwoman]

I thought there were four: the five daily prayers; tithing to charity; fasting during Ramadan; and making the pilgrimage when able. What am I omitting?

Shahadah - profession of faith in the belief of God and Mohamed as his Messenger.

Thank you very much for that excellent and concise discussion. I hope if you do not mind: I would like to save it to my files.

Amergin

You are quite welcome.

 

[moonymoony]

Muslimwoman,

your explination about the alawite group is completely wrrong.
I dont think you know anything about other muslim groups.

your wahhabi mind makes you believe that other non-sunni groups worship Ali.
it is sad that such mentality still exists in the 21th century.

I suggest you delete the craps you wrote about other muslims. shame on you.

 

[bob x]

Shahadah - profession of faith in the belief of God and Mohamed as his Messenger.

Duh! I should have known that.

your wahhabi mind makes you believe that other non-sunni groups worship Ali.

She is very far from being "wahhabi". If she is not correctly informed about Alawite beliefs, you might offer your own explanation instead of just abuse.

 

[moonymoony]

The alawite is a muslim group that believes in the one and only God (like all other muslims) and they believe in Muhammad as the prophet of God.

They dont worship Ali or believe he is a prophet instead of Muhammad.

They follow what the prophet tells muslims about Ali and thats what boils the wahhabis blood and the wahhabis think they are worse than unbelievers and must be killed.

The prophet says "Whoever wishes to see Adam in his knowledge, Noah in his piety, Abraham in his forbearance, Moses in his strength, and Jesus in his worship and devotion should look at Ali ibn Abi Talib."

also he says "He is the first one to believe in Islam; He is the most knowledgeable; He is the most correct one in his DEEN; He is the most certain; He is the most patient; He is the most forgiving and generous; He is the bravest in heart; He is the IMAM and the successor after me."

Muhammad defends Ali and the alwaites are doing the same.

the wahhabis hate Ali thats why they keep degrading his followers, slaughtering them like sheep and bombing the shrines of the Prophet's grandsons.

all muslim groups have slight differences from each other but the main belief is the SAME.

 

[moonymoony]

Shia Sunni Unity, Shia Sunni differences, Ali ibn Abu Talib, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Holy Qur'an, Ayesha, Misconception, Temporary marriages, Mutah

I suggest visiting the website and reading an article written by a moderate Muslim who does not differentiate between Sunnis and Shia.

I would like you to read what the writer says about misconceptions about the shia

• Misconception #1: Shias have a different Holy Qur'an. They add another 10 chapters to the original Holy Qur'an.

Response: Not true. I have checked many times Holy Qur'an kept in Shia homes and mosques. I still find it the same as the original Holy Qur'an. More recently, I took care of an Iranian lady patient hospitalized here. I saw a copy of the Holy Qur'an by her side. I borrowed it from her and browsed through cover-to-cover. In Arabic it was the same as our Holy Qur'an. Of course, since I did not know the Persian language, I can't say much about the translation. It is a sin to even say that the Holy Qur'an can be changed or added to by Shia when Almighty God protects it.

• Misconception #2: Some Shia considers Ali ibn Abu Talib as God.

Response: Not true. It is disbelief to even think of such a thing. During the time of Ali ibn Abu Talib, some pagan groups called Gholat did consider Ali ibn Abu Talib as Lord. When he found out, they were burned to death.

• Misconception #3: Shias have different declarations of faith and they add to the call to prescribed prayer.

Response: The declaration to become a Muslim, as administered to non-Muslims, is the same. Some Shia add to themselves, "Ali ibn Abu Talib is a friend of God or Ali ibn Abu Talib is a spiritual leader of God," after the call to prescribed prayer, but not as part of the call to prescribed prayer.

• Misconception #4: Shias do not perform Sunnah prayers. Sunnah prayers are non-obligatory prayers performed by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Response: Shias do perform non-obligatory prayers, 36 cycles per day in total, but call it Nawafil and not Sunnah.

• Misconception #5: Some Shia believes the Angel Gabriel made a mistake and prophet hood was meant for Ali ibn Abu Talib and not Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Response: Not true. No Shia thinks of such false claims. "Only demented minds think of such questions."

• Misconception #6: Shias slander and ridicule the first three caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman) and Prophet Muhammad's wife, Ayesha.

Response: Shia considers the first three caliphs as companions and administrators, but not spiritual leaders (Imams). Imam Jafar as Sadiq (peace be upon him), whose mother and grandmother came from the line of Abu Bakr, said of Abu Bakr, "He gave me birth twice." Ayesha is respected by Shias as the "Mother of Believers," as Ali ibn Abu Talib respected her when he sent her back from Basra to Madinah after the Battle of the Camel. If some Shia do slander the three caliphs and Ayesha, they do it out of ignorance and should ask God's forgiveness. (As we have witnessed how Imam Khomeini, The Shia bravely declared death of Salman Rushdie - The author of Satanic Verses who abused the wife of Prophet Ayesha and Shia Leader declared blasphemy, just for his Fatwa the whole western countries became against Iran. See how much price did Shia pay to defend Ayesha - while Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE etc. etc. as the Sunni government were silent they did not defend Ayesha. Now who loves Ayesha?)

• Misconception # 7: Shias combine all five prayers into one prayer in the evening.

Response: Not true. In Shia mosques, whether in Iran or the USA, all five daily prayers are performed. Shia do combine noon and afternoon and evening and night, but Shia scholars recommend performing them separately. Such combinations may not be ideal, but better than not praying at all. How can a Sunni who does not pray at all be better than a Shia who combines prayers?

• Misconception # 8: Shias do not pay zakat (poor-due).

Response: Not true. They not only pay 2.5% left over from savings as zakat, but also an additional 20% as Khums or general charity. However, they prefer to pay directly to the needy rather than corrupt Sunni government.

• Misconception #9: Shias practice temporary marriages (Mutah).

Response: Temporary marriages (Mutah) was allowed during the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and he himself practiced it. Ibn Zubayr was born out of the temporary marriage. Later on Caliph Umar prohibited it due to social reasons as the Islamic world was rapidly expanding. Shias discourage Mutah but do not consider it prohibited. Some do abuse this. As a temporary privilege during travel, it is better than adultery.

• Misconception #10: They consider Imams infallible and above the Prophets.

Response: Not true. All prophets are born Prophet but as mentioned in the Holy Qur'an about Abraham that after passing the test, a prophet becomes a leader (Imam). Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the Prophet (Nabi), Messenger (Rasul) and leader (Imam). Imams are carriers of the message of Islam. Shias consider Ali ibn Abu Talib only as an Imam and not prophet.

 

[bob x]

The discussion here is not about Shi'ites in general, but about the particular sect in Syria called the Alawites, whose beliefs are quite different from mainstream Shi'a although it is hard to get good information about what those beliefs are, because they are very secretive.

 

[Muslimwoman]

your wahhabi mind makes you believe that other non-sunni groups worship Ali.

Me a wahhabi LOL, that is really very funny.

I have always considered Shia to be Muslim and have always said I know nothing of their beliefs so cannot speak for them. As Bobx kindly pointed out, we are not discussing Shia beliefs., we are discussing Alawi beliefs.

The information on the Alawi is very limited and most of it comes from an Alawi who converted to Christianity (we know what converts tend to do) but I posted what information I could find and did so without judging them.

However ...

"Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance." (Qur'an 16:125)

If the information about the Alawi sect is incorrect then would it not be better to come and say ... sister that information is not correct, and then explain what Alawi's believe/d, instead of hurling abuse and swear words at me?

 

[moonymoony]

before you post any information about non-sunni groups, make sure it is correct first before you spread it

 

[Muslimwoman]

I checked it with as many sources as I could find.

So either explain what you believe is the correct information or wind your neck in.

 

[moonymoony]

I suggest you study more about Islam and use your mind before believing everything you read and hear.

you say many sunni scholars dont consider the alwaites Muslims.
well, a respected scholar who really cares about Muslims unity does NOT say "I dont consider you a muslim" or accuse other muslims of worshiping Ali instead of God.

Choose the right sources if you really want to learn about other Muslims.

 

[moonymoony]

ÇáÚáæíæä ÇáÃÍÑÇÑ - ÇáÕÝÍÉ ÇáÃæáì (alaweenonline)

Muslimwoman,

If you can read arabic, visit the link above. it is a website made by the alawites themselves explaining their beliefs and religious practices. read what they say before you spread misconceptions about them.

I searched the whole website looking for "there is no God but Ali" and i could not find it.

Allah says in the Holy Quran ([FONT=Verdana,Arial]O YOU who have attained to faith! If any iniquitous person comes to you with a [slanderous] tale, use your discernment, lest you hurt people unwittingly and afterwards be filled with remorse for what you have done)[/FONT]

make sure what you hear about other non-sunnis is correct before you spread it and damage their image

 

[moonymoony]

This is a page of the alawite on facebook.
read what they say about themselves

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=13340606548#!/group.php?gid=13340606548&v=info

Alawites are found all over the world even though they are considered one of the least numbered religious sects.

Alawites believe in the only one God and his Prophet Muhammad. Alawites believe in all the messengers sent by God from Adam to Imam Muhammad Almahdi and they are 124000 messenger .

Alawites were named after Imam Al A'ima Ali Bin Abi Taleb and they are loyal to Ahil Albayt and the 12 Imams.

Imam Ali Bin Abi Taleb
Imam Hassan
Imam Hussein
Imam Ali Zein Alabideen
Imam Muhammad Albaker
Imam Jafar Alsadek
Imam Musa Alkazzem
Imam Ali Alrida
Imam Mouhamad Aljawad
Imam Ali Alhadi
Imam Hassan Alaskari
Imam Muhammad Almahdi

Alawites are Muslims and they believe in the 5 Pillars of Islam.

Belief in one God and Prophet Muhammad
Establishment of the daily prayers
Concern for and almsgiving to the needy
Self-purification through fasting
The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.

We implore peace all over the world, we discard violence, and we want to live in peace with all people in the world.

There is few hundred alawites in Iraq
There is few hundred alawites in Iran
There is few hundred alawites in Africa
There is few hundred alawites in Brazil
There is few hundred alawites in Argentina
There is few hundred alawites everywhere
There is about 15000 alawites in Australia
There is about 50000 alawites in Bulgaria
There is about 100000 alawites in Lebanon
There is 2 million alawites in Turkey
There is 3 million alawites in Syria


In Lebanon there is the Islamic Alawite Council, achieved by the efforts of the chief of Alawites in Lebanon Mr. Ali Eid. That council is the first of its kind in the history of Alawites; now that they have their own religious council that would stand up for their rights everywhere in the world like any other religious sect. In the modern era we had one of the most important politicians in the world, the late president of Syria Hafiz Alassad who left his prints on the politics in middle east and the world, and now the president Bashar Alassad is continuing his role.In Bulgaria Alawites have 3 deputies in the parliament and they play an important role in everydays political life.

Alawi, Alawite, 3alawi, Alawiyeh, 3alawiyeh, Alawiyeen, 3alawiyeen, Alianism, Alians all the same. Is there anywhere else Alawites ?? Please if your Alawite join this group and share your thoughts for our strength is in our unity and our belief in almighty God.

La Fata illa Ali wala saifa illa zoulfikar
لا فتى الا علي ولا سيف الا ذولفقار
The purpose of this group is to unite alawites all over the world. Khasibi Alawites the followers of Alsayed Abi Abedallah Alhussein Ibin Hamdan Alkhasibi.

 

[//sam//]

hah, there are many different conceptions about the alawite muslims. They are considered as dirt by some muslims just because of their beliefs. to be honest there is no point of having an arguement bout all of this. alawites are muslims. alawite boys go through circumcision as do all the other types of muslims. they believe that there is no got but allah and muhamed is his prophet
لا إله إلا الله و محمد رسول الله
they believe in prophet muhamed's (saw) legacy to put it into understandable terms.they believe in the 5 Pillars of Islam. Belief in one God and Prophet Muhammad Establishment of the daily prayers Concern for and almsgiving to the needy
Self-purification through fasting The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.
to go into history... 500 years ago the few alawites where murdured discriminated and forced to live in the mountains of syria...but why?
the answer is simple. it was because they are alawites.
a couple of decades ago syria won their independance from the french. hafez alasad ruled syria but did something no one expected. instead of banishing and murdering sunnis as the sunnis have done in the past, he allowed them to live alongside the alawite. the sunnis only had to pay one price:
peace
since then many sunnis learned to live along with the alawite faith.
however in 2011 a extremist group calling themselves the jihadist (a war or struggle against unbelievers.) started the slaughter of the alawites. now im not going to go deep into politics as im sure many people here have thier different views. what is now known as a civil war is actually a terrorist war. jihadist dressed themselves as the syrian army and would kill the alawites whilst filming it and send it to europe. the cause most of the world to believe that this is the doing of the bashar family. but infact the doing of the jihadist. they call themselves muslims but the do things way worse then wat alawites are said to believe.
raping teenage girls
killing off families with one bomb
poisening food and water supply
my point is that not everything you learn is true.
now you say that alawites are very secretive, so how do you have all of this information on them.. for all you know they could be a romour.
just to make it clear alawites are identicle to almost every other muslims out there. the only real differences is about who led islam after the last prophet muhamed(saw) . alawites like shias believe imam ali came after the prophet where as sunnis believe abu becker and umar where next
.

 

[//sam//]

I checked it with as many sources as I could find.

So either explain what you believe is the correct information or wind your neck in.

i understand that you have checked many sources but it seems like youve only heard one side of the story.
its like asking hitler what was the cause of the holacaust without even thinking about asking the jews what happened

 

[BigJoeNobody]

Alawites believe in all the messengers sent by God from Adam to Imam Muhammad Almahdi

To be fair, this is the point in which there is contention in belief of the commonality amongst Alawi and either Sunni/Shia. The vast majority opinion is that Mouhammed (PBUH) was the last Rassoul (Messenger). It is further a vast Majority opinion that he is the last Nabi (Prophet) (Let's ignore the Nabi/Rassoul same or not debate for now). If it is an absolute fact (which is the view of most Sunni at least) that Mouhammed (PBUH) is the final Nabi/Rassoul, the Alawite view is by definition at best a reformist religion or at worst a hypocritical one. If one were to revise their definitions of those "Prophets" past Mouhammed (PBUH) to reminders or scholars or enlightened by the will of Allah to reaffirm Mouhammed's (PBUH) message, then I don't believe the issue would be a minor talking point. Merely a different school of thought. But once one raises a non-prophet to the stat of Nabi or Rassoul without Allah's confirmation, then there is an issue.

I know my wife has family that are Alawite, and as far as I can tell they are decent people. But that doesn't make their belief correct from an Islamic standpoint. I'd love to see their proof that those past Mouhammed (PBUH) had any legitimate claims by the definitions and characteristics of Prophets.

 

[//sam//]

To be fair, this is the point in which there is contention in belief of the commonality amongst Alawi and either Sunni/Shia. The vast majority opinion is that Mouhammed (PBUH) was the last Rassoul (Messenger). It is further a vast Majority opinion that he is the last Nabi (Prophet) (Let's ignore the Nabi/Rassoul same or not debate for now). If it is an absolute fact (which is the view of most Sunni at least) that Mouhammed (PBUH) is the final Nabi/Rassoul, the Alawite view is by definition at best a reformist religion or at worst a hypocritical one. If one were to revise their definitions of those "Prophets" past Mouhammed (PBUH) to reminders or scholars or enlightened by the will of Allah to reaffirm Mouhammed's (PBUH) message, then I don't believe the issue would be a minor talking point. Merely a different school of thought. But once one raises a non-prophet to the stat of Nabi or Rassoul without Allah's confirmation, then there is an issue.

I know my wife has family that are Alawite, and as far as I can tell they are decent people. But that doesn't make their belief correct from an Islamic standpoint. I'd love to see their proof that those past Mouhammed (PBUH) had any legitimate claims by the definitions and characteristics of Prophets.

i think youve got the wrong idea. the alawites believe that prophet muhamed (saw) was the last of the prophets. however they believe that the family of muhamed (ahlul bayt) led islam after his death(pbuh) just like the shias do.