Druze

The Druze, who call themselves al-Muwaḥḥidūn (meaning 'the monotheists' or 'the unitarians'), are a religious group of Arabs. They follow the Druze faith, which is an Abrahamic, monotheistic, and syncretic religion. Important beliefs include the unity of God, reincarnation, and the eternity of the soul.

The Druze faith started as a branch of Isma'ilism, a part of Shia Islam. However, Druze people do not consider themselves Muslims. They keep many of their religious practices private and do not allow outsiders to join. The Druze have strong ties to the Arabic language and culture. Most Druze live in the Levant, especially in Lebanon, Syria, and Israel. They have played important roles in history and still influence politics today.

Etymology

The name "Druze" likely comes from Muhammad bin Ismail Nashtakin ad-Darazī, an early preacher. The Druze do not agree with his views, but others used his name to call the group.

Before the Druze faith was shared openly, followers met in private meetings called "Sessions of Wisdom." In 1016, ad-Darazī and his followers shared their beliefs publicly. This led to riots in Cairo. The movement stopped for a year, and ad-Darazī was later killed. Some believe the name "Druze" comes from an Arabic word meaning “she who studies,” or from a Persian word for “bliss.” Early writers, like the Jewish traveler Benjamin of Tudela, described the Druze as mountain people who believe in one God, the eternity of the soul, and reincarnation.

Location

The Druze are a religious group. About 800,000 to one million people are Druze. Most live in the Levant. This area includes Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan.

Druze people also live outside the Middle East. You can find them in Australia, Canada, Europe, Latin America, the United States, and West Africa. In 2021, big Druze communities were in Venezuela and the United States. Many lived in Southern California.

History

The Druze faith began forming between 1017 and 1018. Three important people led this change. Hamza ibn Ali, an Ismaili scholar from Khorasan, came to Egypt and shared new ideas. Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, the Fatimid caliph, supported Hamza. Muhammad bin Ismail Nashtakin ad-Darazi also joined and helped spread the teachings.

Hamza taught many scholars in Cairo. Al-Darazi came from Bukhara and later became a preacher too. He wanted to be the leader and had different ideas, which caused arguments with Hamza. Al-Darazi was executed after saying the caliph was divine, so Hamza became the main leader.

During the Crusades, Druze communities in Lebanon helped protect the land against Crusader forces. They worked under leaders in Damascus and later supported the Mamluk sultans in Egypt. Some Sunni leaders did not agree with Druze beliefs, which sometimes caused trouble.

The Ma'an dynasty ruled southern Lebanon under Ottoman control and helped Druze people grow stronger. Fakhr-al-Din II was a famous leader who welcomed Western visitors. The Shihab dynasty came after and kept Druze leadership until the mid-19th century. During this time, Druze and Christians usually lived together in harmony, though there were some difficult moments.

In the early 20th century, the Hauran Druze Rebellion against Ottoman rule was led by the al-Atrash family. The rebellion was stopped, and many Druze people suffered as a result.

Modern history

The Druze are recognized as a separate religious community in Lebanon, Syria, Israel, and Jordan. Each has its own religious court system. Though most Druze do not see themselves as Muslims, in 1959, Al Azhar in Egypt called them an Islamic sect for political reasons under Gamal Abdel Nasser, the president of Egypt at the time.

The Druze religion teaches people to blend with local communities to stay safe. They have also stood up against rulers who tried to control them. In Syria, the Druze have been important in politics even though there are not many of them. They helped fight against French rule and faced hard times under Adib Shishakli. Today, Druze communities keep their identity while being part of their countries' diverse societies.

Beliefs

The Druze believe in one God who is everywhere and beyond everything. They think God cannot be described with words. The Druze believe in Tajalli, where God's light appears in the world.

An important idea for the Druze is reincarnation, where the soul lives again in a new body after death. Druze believe only Druze people are reborn as other Druze. Their holy books include the Quran and the Epistles of Wisdom. They meet each week on Thursday evenings for religious services.

Religious symbol

The Druze use five colors—green, red, yellow, blue, and white—as a religious symbol. These colors are called the "Five Limits." They stand for important ideas in their faith.

Green means wisdom. Red means the soul. Yellow means the word. Blue means potential. White means the future.

You can see these colors as vertical stripes or inside a five-pointed star. The star shows balance and a calm way of living.

Prayer houses and holy places

The Druze have special places that are important for their religion and traditions. One of the most well-known is Nabi Shu'ayb, a place dedicated to Jethro, a key figure in their faith. Druze people visit this site during a holiday called Ziyarat al-Nabi Shu'ayb.

Another important feature in Druze villages is the khilwa, or khalwa, which serves as a house of prayer and a place for coming together. These holy places, including mazār and maqām, are found in various villages in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel, where they are protected and cared for by the community.

Initiates and "ignorant" members

The Druze do not have priests or religious leaders. Instead, they have two groups: the initiated and the non-initiated. The initiated, called al-ʻUqqāl (the Knowledgeable Initiates), are a small part of the Druze community. Both men and women can be initiated. The non-initiated are called al-Juhhāl (the Ignorant), but this name is not often used by the Druze themselves.

The al-ʻUqqāl may dress differently, often in traditional clothes. Women might wear a loose white veil called al-mandīl and black clothing, while men may wear special traditional dresses and turbans. The Druze believe in one God, honesty, loyalty, and helping others. They do not use tobacco, alcohol, or drugs. They also believe in reincarnation. Their most important holiday is Eid al-Adha, which they celebrate in their own special way.

Culture

The Druze community values Arabic language and culture. Arabic is their main language, and their traditions are part of Arab heritage. They keep their unique religious practices and join in broader Arab cultural life across the Levant.

Druze communities stay close and share a strong sense of identity. They have special religious events, like the yearly trip to the Shrine of Shu'ayb in April. This pilgrimage shows how much their faith and culture mean to them. Families often share meals with foods like tabbouleh, hummus, and falafel, which are common in Arab cuisine and Levantine cuisines.

Druze and other religions

The Druze faith started from an old Islamic tradition but is now its own special religion. Most Druze do not think of themselves as Muslims and do not follow Islamic rules called the "five pillars." In the past, they have sometimes been treated badly by some Muslim groups.

The Druze share some ideas with Christianity, like the importance of the Bible, and they respect Jesus as a prophet. They also share some customs with Judaism, such as not marrying outside their faith. The Druze have lived peacefully with Christians and Jews in many places, even though there have been some disagreements over time.

Origins

The Druze are a religious group from the Middle East. They follow the Druze faith, which combines ideas from many traditions. Researchers have studied where the Druze people came from.

One theory says the Druze come from Arab tribes in places like Southern Lebanon and Wadi al-Taym. These tribes may have moved from the Arabian Peninsula to the Levant, which today includes Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. This idea matches the Druze language and customs, which are like Arab traditions.

Another view looks at the Druze people’s genes. Studies show they share genetic ties with groups in the area, such as Lebanese, Syrian, and Jewish communities. This suggests a long history of mixing among different peoples in the Middle East. The Druze origins show a mix of Arab, historical, and local influences.