Alid loyalty or Shiʿite tendency: a comparative approach to the Alevi Buyruk texts

Abstract

This article compares and contrasts the shared and unshared functions of the Shiʿite elements within three separate but interconnected Buyruk texts. While introducing Shiʿite themes like the glorification of ʿAli and ahl al-bayt, the doctrine of the Imamate, and the matter of the 14 Impeccables applied in the Buyruks, with a comparative approach, this research will unpack the differences of their application in the Buyruks versus how they are perceived in the mainstream Shiʿite. This article will then draw attention to the fact that some of the fundamental Shiʿite doctrines are not acknowledged in the Buyruks including the belief in ʾismah, the concept of khalifa, the doctrine of tabarra and the notion of ghayba. In doing so, the following questions will guide this research: how do the Buyruks speak of Shiʿite motifs? Do those seemingly Shiʿite themes involved in the Buyruks lead Alevism to be labelled as Shiʿite and, if so, in what sense?.