Bashar al-Assad, former president of Syria, is often mistaken as a Muslim due to his name and outward identity. He even uses titles like ‘Hafez’, which adds to the misconception. However, Assad is a follower of the Nusayri sect (also known as Alawites), which Islamic scholars have long considered non-Islamic. Allama Ibn Taymiyyah, a renowned Islamic scholar, issued a detailed fatwa against this sect centuries ago, exposing their beliefs and practices as contradictory to Islam. In this article, we explain the history and ideology of the Nusayri sect, based on Ibn Taymiyyah’s writings, and why it is important for Muslims to understand this group.
Who Are the Nusayris?
The Nusayris trace their origins to a syncretic belief system that mixes ideas from different religions, including Christianity, Hinduism, and Zoroastrianism. The sect was founded by Muhammad ibn Nusayr and operates on secrecy and deception. They present themselves as Muslims but hold beliefs and practices that are entirely un-Islamic. Ibn Taymiyyah described them as fire worshippers (Magians) who disguised themselves as Muslims after being defeated in battle, aiming to mislead Muslims.
Key beliefs of the Nusayri sect include:
- Alcohol Permitted: They allow the consumption of alcohol, contrary to Islamic law.
- Reincarnation: They believe in the transmigration of souls, claiming that souls are reborn into new bodies after death, similar to Hindu beliefs.
- No Day of Judgment: They deny fundamental Islamic beliefs like resurrection, heaven, and hell.
- Deifying Hazrat Ali: They claim Hazrat Ali is Allah in human form (nauzubillah), which is an outright rejection of Tawheed (the oneness of Allah).
- Mockery of Rituals: They distort Islamic practices, giving them symbolic meanings:
- Five Daily Prayers: They interpret the five prayers as representing the names of their leaders (Ali, Hasan, Hussain, etc.), not actual acts of worship.
- Fasting in Ramadan: They claim fasting represents the names of certain men and women in their books.
- Hajj: They believe Hajj means visiting their leaders rather than performing the pilgrimage to Makkah.
- Secrecy and Loyalty Oaths: A person cannot join the sect without taking an oath of secrecy, promising never to reveal their beliefs or practices to outsiders.
Historical Atrocities by the Nusayris
Ibn Taymiyyah documented that the Nusayris have a long history of betraying Muslims and supporting non-Muslim powers. They helped the Crusaders and Mongols invade Muslim lands, leading to the fall of the Abbasid Caliphate and the occupation of Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem).
They also celebrate Muslim defeats and mourn Muslim victories. For example, they consider the Muslim victory over the Mongols as a great tragedy and regard Muslim defeats as joyful occasions. The Nusayris have killed many Muslims throughout history whenever they had the chance.
The sect also harbours deep hatred for the companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. They especially insult Hazrat Umar, calling him the “chief devil” (nauzubillah). They extend this insult to other companions like Hazrat Abu Bakr andHazrat Uthman, considering them enemies of their faith.
Ibn Taymiyyah’s Fatwa
In his fatwa, Ibn Taymiyyah clearly declared the Nusayris as disbelievers and enemies of Islam. He described them as more dangerous than Jews or Christians because of their hypocrisy and secret plots against Muslims. Key points of his fatwa include:
- Marriage and Burial: It is forbidden for Muslims to marry into the Nusayri sect or bury them in Muslim graveyards.
- Deception and Danger: The Nusayris deceive Muslims by pretending to be part of the community while working to harm them.
- Apostasy: Their beliefs are so far removed from Islam that they cannot be considered Muslims.
- Collaboration with Enemies: They have consistently supported non-Muslims in wars against Islam, causing great harm to the Muslim Ummah.
Bashar al-Assad’s Connection to the Nusayris
Bashar al-Assad belongs to the Alawite sect, which is a modern offshoot of the Nusayri sect. Under his rule, Syria has seen immense oppression, particularly against Sunni Muslims. Assad’s government has been accused of massacres, forced displacements, and destruction of Muslim communities. Despite his Muslim-sounding name, his beliefs and actions align with the teachings of his sect, which oppose Islam.
Many people mistakenly assume Assad is a Muslim leader, but his connection to the Nusayri sect shows otherwise. His regime’s oppression of Muslims and its close ties with non-Muslim powers reflect the historical patterns documented by Ibn Taymiyyah.
Bashar al-Assad’s affiliation with the Nusayri sect highlights the importance of understanding their beliefs and history. As Ibn Taymiyyah’s fatwa explains, this sect has always been a threat to Islam due to its heretical beliefs and actions against Muslims. By learning about their ideology and tactics, Muslims can remain vigilant against such groups that seek to harm the Ummah from within. Understanding the reality behind Assad and his sect is crucial in exposing their true nature and protecting the integrity of Islam.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alawites
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249928742_Ibn_Taymiyya’s_Fatawa_against_the_Nusayri-Alawi_Sect