A Historical Review of Qur’anic Studies and the Status of the Qur’an Among the Alevi of Turkey
Subject Areas :
Amir Jahani Fard
1
,
Serhat Aktaş
2
,
Mohammad Ghorbanpoir
3
1 - Professor at Qom Seminary.
2 - PhD in Islamic Philosophy, Inonu University, Turkey; PhD Student in Quranic Exegesis and Sciences, Al-Mustafa International University; Researcher at the Imam Mobin International Research Center (corresponding author).
3 - PhD in Shia Studies, Director and Faculty Member at the Imam Mobin International Research Center.
Keywords: Alevi, Bektashi, Historical Books, Religious sources, Qur’an, Exegesis, Developments and Transformations.,
Abstract :
The history of the Alevi of Turkey is deeply connected to the Bektashi and Qizilbash cultures and literature, as well as influenced by the customs and traditions of the Turkmen people. The Alevi and Bektashi elders in Turkey possess a distinctive form of literature that can be considered religious in nature, rooted in the Qur’an and narrations. The recommendations from Haji Bektash Veli are primarily based on Qur’anic verses and narrations. Additionally, the call to the Qur’an, which is seen as the code of life for a Muslim, frequently appears in the words of Alevi elders. The historical sources and texts of the Alevi, including religious books, willayat-names (books on spiritual leadership), and the writings of Alevi and Bektashi sheikhs, are rich with the teachings of the Qur’an and the Ahl al-Bayt (the infallible progeny of the Prophet). Therefore, the Alevi consider it essential to follow the instructions of the Qur’an both morally and doctrinally. In the course of historical developments, it can be seen that they have also engaged in Qur’anic exegesis and use Qur’anic verses as evidence in their speeches. Although the historical struggles of the Alevi with local governments have forced them to hide their true beliefs, and their opponents have spread various accusations and distortions about them. This research, which has been conducted through library and field studies using descriptive and analytical methods, seeks to identify the Qur’anic beliefs of the Alevi in Turkey based on historical sources and their texts.
