The following post was original written by Qa’im [1]. I am merely reproducing this entry here. Full credit goes to Qai’m at ShiaChat.
The roots of `Alawiyya is essentially twelver Imami, but its offshoot point was with ibn Nusayr during the minor occultation, where he rejected the traditional 4 safirs of Shi'ah Islam, and instead declared himself as the sole legitimate authority in communication with the eschatological Qa'im (May Allah hasten his appearance).
History and evolution of `Alawiyya
The roots of `Alawiyya is essentially twelver Imami, but its offshoot point was with ibn Nusayr during the minor occultation, where he rejected the traditional 4 safirs of Shi'ah Islam, and instead declared himself as the sole legitimate authority in communication with the eschatological Qa'im (May Allah hasten his appearance).
History and evolution of `Alawiyya
al-`Alawiyya religiously developed based on not just the teachings of ibn Nusayr, but the surrounded influences of Shi'ah Islam, Christianity, Isma`iliyya, and other local groups. After ibn Nusayr died in the 10th century CE, his grandson at-Tabarani succeeded him in scholarship and his writings became the basis of the `Alawi faith. He lived in Latakia, which was Byzantine (and therefore Christian) controlled at that time. The `Alawis also lived amongst the Druze and Maronites
Beliefs
-Secrecy: The `Alawi aqeedah relies on strict taqiyya, and thus the group, its beliefs, and its practices are to remain a secret, even to members of the sect. Women, for example, cannot be taught the religion, as religious direction belongs solely to the man. The group has also refrained from making da`wa (propagation) and jihad (expedition) for the purpose of spreading the religion; instead it remained isolated throughout history.
In the 19th century, Sulaiman al-Adni, an Alawite convert to Christianity, wrote a book named al-Bakurah as-Suliamaniya fi Kashf Asrar ad-Diyanah an-Nusairiyah (The First Fruits of Sulaiman in Revealing the Secrets of the Nusairi Religion), which was the first detailed outsider account into the `Alawi religion.
Some major beliefs include:
-Reincarnation: this appears to have been an original ibn Nusayri teaching, that one can reincarnate several times. Women do not reincarnate. Men, however, can live 7 lives as faithful `Alawis, and then finally join 'Ali (may peace be upon him) in a celestial heaven. If they are not faithful, they will be reborn as Christians as a punishment. Non-Alawis reincarnate into animals.
-Trinity: `Alawis believe in three incarnations of God: `Ali (may peace be upon him), Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his pure family), and Salman al-Farisi (may Allah be pleased with him). Each of the three have their own mystical significance, `Ali being the meaning, Muhammed being the name, and Salman al-Farisi being the gate. The short version of the `Alawi shahada is "I testify that there is no God but Ali," (la ilaha illa-`Ali), the long version (`ayn meem seen) which recognizes the full Trinity says: `I have borne witness that there is no God but He, the most High, the object of worship [al-'Ali al-Ma'bud] and that there is no concealing veil (hijab) except the lord Muhammad, the object of praise, (as-Sayyid Muhmmad al-Mahmud), and there is not Bab except the lord Salman al-Farisi`
-Rejection of the Qur'an: `Alawis reject the literal meanings of the Qur'an, and instead emphasize spiritual, mystical, and metaphorical practices and sayings.
-Celebration of Christian and Persian holidays: Since the religion had a long standing in Christendom, they adopted some Christian celebrations including Christmas, Easter, Palm Sunday, and ahve their own unique practices for these days, which include the communion associated with Catholic tradition. `Alawis also celebrate Nawruz, marking the Persian new year.
-Mysticism: In the `Alawiyya, there are many connections with the Isma'iiyya, as they both view the Islamic shari`ah esoterically and allegorically. They believe in a hidden meaning behind the commands, and take these concepts over their literal meanings. `Alawis even believe that these secret meanings were hidden from the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his pure family), and was revealed to the Imams (may peace be upon them) and ibn Nusayr instead.
In the 19th century, Sulaiman al-Adni, an Alawite convert to Christianity, wrote a book named al-Bakurah as-Suliamaniya fi Kashf Asrar ad-Diyanah an-Nusairiyah (The First Fruits of Sulaiman in Revealing the Secrets of the Nusairi Religion), which was the first detailed outsider account into the `Alawi religion.
Some major beliefs include:
-Reincarnation: this appears to have been an original ibn Nusayri teaching, that one can reincarnate several times. Women do not reincarnate. Men, however, can live 7 lives as faithful `Alawis, and then finally join 'Ali (may peace be upon him) in a celestial heaven. If they are not faithful, they will be reborn as Christians as a punishment. Non-Alawis reincarnate into animals.
-Trinity: `Alawis believe in three incarnations of God: `Ali (may peace be upon him), Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his pure family), and Salman al-Farisi (may Allah be pleased with him). Each of the three have their own mystical significance, `Ali being the meaning, Muhammed being the name, and Salman al-Farisi being the gate. The short version of the `Alawi shahada is "I testify that there is no God but Ali," (la ilaha illa-`Ali), the long version (`ayn meem seen) which recognizes the full Trinity says: `I have borne witness that there is no God but He, the most High, the object of worship [al-'Ali al-Ma'bud] and that there is no concealing veil (hijab) except the lord Muhammad, the object of praise, (as-Sayyid Muhmmad al-Mahmud), and there is not Bab except the lord Salman al-Farisi`
-Rejection of the Qur'an: `Alawis reject the literal meanings of the Qur'an, and instead emphasize spiritual, mystical, and metaphorical practices and sayings.
-Celebration of Christian and Persian holidays: Since the religion had a long standing in Christendom, they adopted some Christian celebrations including Christmas, Easter, Palm Sunday, and ahve their own unique practices for these days, which include the communion associated with Catholic tradition. `Alawis also celebrate Nawruz, marking the Persian new year.
-Mysticism: In the `Alawiyya, there are many connections with the Isma'iiyya, as they both view the Islamic shari`ah esoterically and allegorically. They believe in a hidden meaning behind the commands, and take these concepts over their literal meanings. `Alawis even believe that these secret meanings were hidden from the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his pure family), and was revealed to the Imams (may peace be upon them) and ibn Nusayr instead.
Reference
[1] http://www.shiachat.com/forum/index.php?/topic/234978256-the-alawites/
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