Zahir, Batın, and Devriye: Cosmology and Morality in Alevism
Note: This recording was made in German.
In this video, Pir Müslüm Aktar speaks about important concepts in Alevi theology and cosmology: zahir, batın, and devriye. He explains that Alevism has different understandings of life, death, and truth from many other scriptural religions. In Alevism, heaven and hell do not occupy the central position. More important are zahir and batın. Zahir refers to the visible world. Batın refers to hidden, inner, and spiritual truth. Human beings live in the visible world, but they should also seek to recognise the deeper truth.
Pir Müslüm Aktar also explains the concept of devriye. Through this concept, he describes the journey of the can. The can does not simply disappear after death. It continues, changes its form, and remains part of a larger cycle. This understanding is important for grasping the Alevi view of life, death, and return. Yet this is not only a teaching about the afterlife. It is also about moral responsibility in life. The human being is an expression of Hak. For this reason, good and evil, right and wrong are not determined only by external rules. They are also connected to a person’s decisions, actions, and inner attitude.
In the video, Pir Müslüm Aktar shows how these moral values are lived on the Alevi Yol. A person who walks on the Yol should examine themselves, take responsibility, and search for hakikat. In this process, Ocaks, jiares, prayers, and gülbenks play an important role. They remind people of their connection to Hak, to the community, and to both the visible and hidden worlds. The aim is to become a kamil insan. Pir Müslüm Aktar gives examples from prayers and gülbenks and translates them into German. The video therefore offers an important insight into the distinctive differences between Alevism and other scriptural religions, as well as into the Alevi understanding of the cosmos, morality, and the spiritual path.
This recording was made on 18 April 2026 at Alevitische Gemeinde und Cemevi e.V. (Lange Streng 12, 65462 Ginsheim-Gustavsburg), near Frankfurt, as part of the “In the Words of the Spiritual Guides” series of the Alevi Encyclopedia.
In this video, Pir Müslüm Aktar speaks about important concepts in Alevi theology and cosmology: zahir, batın, and devriye. He explains that Alevism has different understandings of life, death, and truth from many other scriptural religions. In Alevism, heaven and hell do not occupy the central position. More important are zahir and batın. Zahir refers to the visible world. Batın refers to hidden, inner, and spiritual truth. Human beings live in the visible world, but they should also seek to recognise the deeper truth.
Pir Müslüm Aktar also explains the concept of devriye. Through this concept, he describes the journey of the can. The can does not simply disappear after death. It continues, changes its form, and remains part of a larger cycle. This understanding is important for grasping the Alevi view of life, death, and return. Yet this is not only a teaching about the afterlife. It is also about moral responsibility in life. The human being is an expression of Hak. For this reason, good and evil, right and wrong are not determined only by external rules. They are also connected to a person’s decisions, actions, and inner attitude.
In the video, Pir Müslüm Aktar shows how these moral values are lived on the Alevi Yol. A person who walks on the Yol should examine themselves, take responsibility, and search for hakikat. In this process, Ocaks, jiares, prayers, and gülbenks play an important role. They remind people of their connection to Hak, to the community, and to both the visible and hidden worlds. The aim is to become a kamil insan. Pir Müslüm Aktar gives examples from prayers and gülbenks and translates them into German. The video therefore offers an important insight into the distinctive differences between Alevism and other scriptural religions, as well as into the Alevi understanding of the cosmos, morality, and the spiritual path.
This recording was made on 18 April 2026 at Alevitische Gemeinde und Cemevi e.V. (Lange Streng 12, 65462 Ginsheim-Gustavsburg), near Frankfurt, as part of the “In the Words of the Spiritual Guides” series of the Alevi Encyclopedia.
Interviewer
- Dr. Ahmet Kerim Gültekin
