Ahl Ḥaqq (Yārsān): Anthropological Study of an Extremist Group of the Shiites in Kermanshah Province

In spite of numerous disagreements regarding the identity and nature of Ahl Ḥaqq, we may clearly see the Shiite foundations in creeds and beliefs of the believers of Ahl Ḥaqq. However, they may be studied as extremist Shiites due to some excesses such as divinity of many religious leaders, especially Imam Ali. Today, Ahl Ḥaqq's creed – whose followers mostly settle in western parts of Iran, especially Kermanshah province – is linked to ideas such as sacredness, embodiment, divinity, certain religious rites, certain formulas and spiritual prayers in Jam-Khānas, holding rites such as sar-sepurdan and jowz sar-shekastan, a certain form of fasting, sacrifice and vow, mystic music and samā' dance, keeping scriptures in houses, and unshaved moustaches of men.