Ibrahimiyya (Ghulat)

Ibrahimiyya, is the name of a sect of the "Ghulat" Sufi Shia Muslims residing in Tal Afar, one of the towns in Mosul Province in Iraq. The customs and rituals of this sect bear many similarities to the Shabak sect. Their religious book is the same as that of the Shabak sect, which they conceal from outsiders.

History

Ibrahimiyya is one of the secret and little-known sects of the northern Iraqi mountains, about which little information is available. Followers of this creed once lived in the city of Tal Afar (Tal'afar) in western Mosul, but since then, we have no reliable information about them. This sect is in some respects close to religious sects and other mystical orders existing in that vicinity, such as Shabak, Saraliyya, Bajuran (or Bajuran or Bajawan or Bajalan), Mawalliyya, Baba'iyya, Ishaqiyya, Kakaiyya, and Yazidiyya; however, due to proximity to the first three sects, their beliefs and rituals have influenced each other and become intertwined. Ibrahimiyya, in particular, has many similarities with the Shabak. Anastas Karimli, in describing the sects existing around Mosul, only mentioned the first three rites (Shabak, Saraliyya, and Bajuran) and said nothing about Ibrahimiyya. Apparently, at the time of the article's writing (1902 CE), this sect was not very prominent or was considered merely a branch of the Shabak. In any case, the followers of this sect considered themselves separate from the Shabak and others, and attributed themselves to Sheikh Ibrahim Zahid Gilani.

Identity of Ibrahimiyya

The ethnic identity of Ibrahimiyya and other groups close to them is not correctly known, and whether they are Kurd or Turk is a matter of debate. Although existing evidence mostly indicates that they are Turk. The language of this group is Turkish, but Kurdish, Persian, and Arabic words have entered it. Their holy book is also in the Turkish language, which could be another confirmation of their Turkish identity. Most likely, their origin goes back to the Turkmens of Asia Minor. Ibrahimiyya, along with the Shabak and other religious groups of the region, have been considered remnants of the Safavids (Safavi Sufis). To explain, most of the disciples of Sheikh Safi were from Asia Minor and had great influence there, and we also know that even during the time of Sheikh Haydar, the father of Shah Ismail, a large number of Safavid followers lived there, and this matter caused concern for the Ottomans. Therefore, it can be guessed that groups of these Turkmens with Safavid and Ibrahimi tendencies migrated to the mountainous regions of Kurdistan either by force or to escape existing pressures and settled alongside the Kurds. Of course, some researchers have considered them Kurd and others Arab, but this claim is not very reliable.

Beliefs

Ibrahimiyya call their religious poems "Golbang". They consider the numbers seven, twelve, and seventy sacred; seven as the king, and twelve and seventy as his servants. Like the Shabak and Kakaiyya, they are counted among the Ghulat sects of Shia and Ahl al-Haqq. This sect exaggerates regarding Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him) and counts Zayd ibn Ali among their twelve Imams. The holy book of Ibrahimiyya is "Buyuruq".

See Also

• Ghulat
• Iraq
• Shabak sect

References

• Mohammad-Javad Mashkur, Farhang-e Feraq-e Eslami, Mashhad, Astane Quds Razavi Publications, Year 1372 SH, 2nd ed., Entry date: n.d., Access date: 15 Dey 1404 SH.

• Collective authors, Da'irat al-Ma'arif-e Tashayyu, , Entry date: n.d., Access date: 15 Dey 1404 SH.

• Collective authors, Da'irat al-Ma'arif-e Bozorg-e Eslami, Entry date: n.d., Access date: 15 Dey 1404 SH.