The perception of companionship in the Alevi-Bektashi classics

Groups that are identified as Alevi-Bektashi, which has the features of a Sufi thought and a tariqa (a school of Sufism), have undergone significant changes in history. These groups, which originally were in the semi-nomadic or nomadic structure and were Islamized largely by Sufis from Yasawi tradition, were influenced from different effects in different times and geographies. The works in the "Alevi-Bektashi Classics" which was published by the Turkish Diyanet Foundation (TDF) let the groups that are identified as Alevi-Bektashi to be known. These works are also important because they give indications about the change and development of the groups.In this study, based on the works "Alevi-Bektashi Classics," which was published by TDF, the place of Companions of Prophet Muhammad in the group that is identified as Alevi-Bektashi tradition, in which each separate group is called with distinctively, is examined. In the introduction, information is given about the methodology of the study and the basic sources. In the first chapter the concepts of Alevism and Bektashism, Companionship, importance of Companions and works about them are articulated. In the second chapter, the important Companions of the Prophet who are highlighted in the groups that are identified as Alevi-Bektashi are determined by exploring their lives in detail. Moreover, their representation in the Classics is explored. Then, the Companions of Prophet who are less stressed in these groups are determined and how they were presented is discussed without touching on their lives. It is concluded that when defining the Companionship it is observed that the concept was designed generally with companions such as Ali, Hasan, Hussein, Salman al-Farisin instead of a general recognition of all companions of the prophet. It is also found out that there are Hurufi-Batini and Shia-Safawi influence on the concept of companionship, yet the issue of companionship is not considered as an issue of faith and there is no adversity toward the companions.