Introduction

Ahl-e Haqq (hereafter referred to as A.H.) is an oriental esoteric order that has attracted an immense number of followers over the centuries and has spread over a vast geographical area. In the western provinces of Iran (Kurdistan, Kermanshah and Azarbayejan), as well as Turkey and Iraq alone the adherents are estimated at around three million. In many towns and communities A.H. forms the majority of the population. In recent decades the scope of the followers has expanded beyond the traditional boundaries and has reached many other countries.

There are different speculations about the origin of Ahl-e Haqq. Some even claim that it goes back to the beginning of creation. Most of the scholars who have written on the subject, however, believe that Soltan Sohak established the Order at the beginning of the sixteenth century. There are many legendary stories about the birth and life of Soltan Sohak which are believed to be true by A.H. in spite of their mysterious nature.

It should be noted, however, that most of the information regarding A.H. formation, development, and expansion as well as its dogma and traditions have been preserved and transmitted orally in the form of Kalam (words) from one generation to another. It is natural, therefore, that the historical chronology and coherence have been somewhat distorted, but the mystical tone and flavor remain intact to a large extent. Such Kalams were available only to the order’s elite who would recite them from memory to the followers during the ceremonies and gatherings. Kalams were not put in writing for many centuries and were never made available to “outsiders”. Minorsky seems to have found a manuscript dated 1843. Afterwards, however, more collections of Kalams found their way to the hands of the adepts and “outsiders”. Although there are many Kalams relating to different periods of A.H. history, yet the most sacred of all is considered to be Kalam-e Saranjam belonging to the period of Soltan Sohak.