The Nusayris

BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents   The Nusayri Religious System The Apotheosis of Ali   TO THE NUSAYRIS, Ali ibn Abi Talib, blood cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is the last and only perfect one of the seven manifestations of God, in which the Islamic religion and its Shari’ah (law) have been revealed. He is, as noted in the proceeding chapter, the […]

BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents   The Nusayri “Trinity” Ali, Muhammad, and Salman al Farisi   As noted in chapter 26, the Nusayri trinity comprises the Mana (Ali), the Ism (Muhammad), and the Bab (Salman al Farisi). The position of Ali in this trinity is discussed in chapter 27; here we shall discuss the positions of its other members.   The second person of the Nusayri trinity is the […]

BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents   The Nusayri Concepts of Light Shamsis and Qamaris   Reverence for light forms an essential part of the Nusayri religious system. Among the Nusayris, light is symbolised by the sun, considered the light of lights. This light, according to Kitab Ta’lim al Diyanah al Nusayriyyah, is the mystery of God. It is the ancient Mana [Ali], who was veiled by the light. The […]

BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents   The Nusayri Religious System The Twelve Imams   According to the Nusayris each of the Imams has the Bab (door), who serves as the path leading believers to him. They base this belief on tradition in which the Rasul Muhammad salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam is reported to have said, “I am the city of knowledge, and Ali is its gate,” and, “He […]

BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents   The Nusayri Religious System Role of the Aytam and Spiritual Hierarchies   As explained in chapter 26, the Nusayris believe that the deity manifested himself seven times in seven human forms, beginning with Adam and ending with Ali ibn Abi Talib. Each manifestation as a Mana was accompanied by corresponding manifestation of an Ism, a creation through five Aytam (incomparables) who, as their […]