The effect of "Vech (Human face)" notion in hurufism thought on Alevi-Bektashi culture

This study aims to examine the relationship between the Alevi-Bektashi belief system and Hurufism through the concept of "vech (human face)". In line with this purpose, the study intends to determine the nature of the relationship through quantitative (historical, cultural, doctrinal) and qualitative (God-universe-human axis, limited, relative) parameters and concrete evidences. In the study, while searching for an answer to the question of the reasons for the influence of Hurufism on the Alevi-Bektashi belief system, the necessity of a correct definition of Hurufism is also emphasised. This necessity is deemed worth emphasising because the similarity between the two belief systems is sought in the right place. Accordingly, firstly, the historical, religious and doctrinal framework of Hurufism is drawn. Then, it is tried to explain the similarity between the two belief systems in terms of the conception of God-universe-human through the concept of wech. At this point, it is argued that the common place of the two belief systems in the tradition of Islamic thought is the wisdom, tasavvufic and mystical tradition and that both the quantity and quality of the interaction in question should be sought within this framework. Finally, within this theoretical framework, the concept of "vech" has been traced in the Alevi-Bektashi literature and concrete evidence of the influence of this and other directly related concepts on the Alevi-Bektashi belief system has been tried to be revealed. Key Words: Vech (human face), Alevi-Bektashi, Hurufism, God-universe-human perception