Alawis seem to have originated in the Sevener Movement, a preislamic Christian Gnosticism. Later influences from the Ismailis seemed to have caused them to incorporate more Islamic ideas into their faith.
Alawis claim to be muslim, but many mainstream muslim scholars refute this. They are often also called shia, but their doctrines bear very little similarity to that of the shia. Indeed, the clear influences of Ismailism can still be seen. , with their dualist ideas and belief in a system of divine incarnation. They regard Ali(ra) as the incarnation of deity. Ali(ra) is seen as the "meaning" (ma'na), Muhammed(saw) who Ali(ra) allegedly created from his own light is the "name" (ism) and Salman Al-Farsi(ra) is seen as the "gate/door" (bab). The Alawis thus say: " I turn to the gate, I bow before the name and I adore the meaning." An this is born out in their shahadda " There is no God but Ali."
It should be noted that some scholars say that the Alawis swap the roles of Salman(ra) and Ali(ra), saying that Salman(ra) created Ali(ra) and Muahmmed(Saw). Evidence being found in the 2nd century A.H. book Umm Al-Kitab.
The actual beliefs and pratices of the Alawis are based on their "holy book" Kitab Al-Majmu. It is from here that they claim the Milky Way is infact the deified souls of the true belivers. A study of what is known of this book, has shown much. It shows the Alawis as an isolated group who have incorporated many different religions into theirs. While maintaining their beliefs they pretended to adhere to the dominant religion present in order to escape persecution, very similar infact to the shias' taqiyyah ( dissimulation of religion).
The Alawi religious practices are carried out in secret, and no outsiders are allowed. Youthful members gain knowledge in stages, until a select few reach such a degree that they have all the inside knowledge of the sect, and can become ruling members of the community. The Alawis also belive that women have no soul, this is completely opposite to the Islamic point of view.
The Alawis do not include any of the Islamic rituals in their pratice, though they accept the five pillars, but interpret them as not being literal, so they don't have to practice them. Some Alawi leaders have made a show of praying in a muslim mosque or going on Hajj to gain acceptance from muslims.
Imam Musa as-Sadr, a shia leader in Lebanon, who is now dead, did infact pass a fatwa that the Alawis were muslims. It is interesting to note that no self respecting sunni muslim scholar would do this.