A Real Alawi

Submitted by RayRay (Australia), Nov 24, 2005 at 22:45

Even though your article was informative and historically, quite factual, in todays world, life for an Alawi is quite different, and this is where there are faults in your article.

As a young Muslim female, belonging to the Alawi sect, I differ greatly to your comments, that we are not Muslim, females do not partake in religious activities, and the life of a Alawi, is a life of loose morals and values, a group of lost souls wandering the mountainous regions of Syria.

I pray five times a day, fast during Ramadan, testify that there is only one God and Muhammad (pbuh) is his prophet, pay Zakat, and Inshallah, one day, partake in pilgrimmage to Hajj. Your article was extremely hearsay, and unfortunately, you have fallen into the trap of believing what 'other' sects have to say about the Alawi sect.

I am an Alawi, and identify myself as a Muslim, of Islamic faith. Regardless of what sect you belong to, if you believe there is one God, Muhummad (pbuh) is his Messenger, and Muhammad (pbuh) is his last prophet, you are a Muslim. It is only Allah, on Judgement Day, who will say which sect was correct. As the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) stated: "there will be 73 sects...of which only 1 will be saved"

The common misconception about the Alawi sect is that they do not practice their faith, they have borrowed elements from the Christian faith, and live a secular life, this is the confusion.

Unfortunately, within the Alawi sect there is a CULTURE of having a lax attitude towards practising one's faith. I, a Alawi, admit to this, but it cannot apply to the whole Alawi community. As the daughter and sister of a Hajji, I have seen many devout Muslim Alawi's living their life according to the Holy Koran, and accompanying Hadith....

Muslims should not judge each other, not only is this a sin, but it is reserved for Allah, and Allah only.

Like I said earlier, historically, your article is quite factual, but if you would like to really know about the Muslim sect, Alawi, speak to one. Alawi's are Muslims, a branch off the Shiite tree. We pray to one God, believe in the final prophet Muhammad (pbuh), love our Ahlal Bayt, and have high regard to our Twelve Imams.

Wassallam
RayRay

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".