Druze

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

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

Etymology

The name "Druze" likely comes from Muhammad bin Ismail Nashtakin ad-Darazī, an early preacher. Even though the Druze view him as a heretic, opponents used his name to describe the group.

Before the Druze faith became public, followers met secretly in "Sessions of Wisdom." Eventually, in 1016, ad-Darazī and his followers openly shared their beliefs, causing riots in Cairo. The movement was paused for a year, and ad-Darazī was later assassinated. Some think 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 with a population between 800,000 and one million people worldwide. Most of them live in the Levant, which includes countries such as Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan.

Outside the Middle East, Druze communities can be found in places like Australia, Canada, Europe, Latin America (especially in Venezuela, Colombia, and Brazil), the United States, and West Africa. In 2021, the largest Druze communities outside the Middle East were in Venezuela with about 60,000 people and in the United States with around 50,000, many living in Southern California.

History

The Druze faith began forming between 1017 and 1018, led by three key figures. Hamza ibn Ali, an Ismaili scholar from Khorasan, arrived in Egypt and began preaching a new doctrine. Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, the Fatimid caliph, supported Hamza's teachings. Muhammad bin Ismail Nashtakin ad-Darazi joined the movement and became an important preacher.

Hamza gathered scholars in Cairo and started teaching his beliefs. Al-Darazi, originally from Bukhara, also joined and later became a preacher. He claimed leadership and introduced new ideas, causing disputes with Hamza. Eventually, al-Darazi was executed by order of al-Hakim after claiming the caliph was divine, leaving Hamza as the main leader.

During the Crusades, Druze communities in Lebanon became important defenders against Crusader forces. They served under leaders in Damascus and later supported the Mamluk sultans in Egypt. The Druze faced challenges from Sunni leaders who saw their beliefs as heretical, leading to periods of persecution.

The Ma'an dynasty ruled southern Lebanon under Ottoman control, expanding Druze influence. Fakhr-al-Din II was a notable leader who opened Lebanon to Western influences. The Shihab dynasty followed, maintaining Druze leadership until the mid-19th century. During this time, Druze and Christians generally lived in harmony, though tensions arose during certain periods.

In the early 20th century, the Hauran Druze Rebellion against Ottoman rule was led by the al-Atrash family. The rebellion was crushed, resulting in significant loss of life and harsh measures against the Druze population.

Modern history

The Druze have official recognition as a separate religious community in Lebanon, Syria, Israel, and Jordan, each with their own religious court system. Although most Druze do not consider themselves Muslims, in 1959, Al Azhar in Egypt recognized them as an Islamic sect for political reasons under Gamal Abdel Nasser, the president of Egypt at the time.

The Druze religion encourages blending with local communities to avoid persecution, though they have also resisted occupying powers throughout history. In Syria, the Druze have been significant in politics despite their small population. They played key roles in the struggle against French rule and later faced challenges during the rule of Adib Shishakli. Today, Druze communities continue to maintain their identity while contributing to their countries' diverse societies.

Beliefs

The Druze believe in one God who is both beyond everything and present everywhere. They think God cannot be described by words or qualities. The Druze also believe in a special way God shows Himself, called Tajalli, where God's light appears in the world without changing it.

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, and the soul keeps coming back until it reaches happiness and joins with the Cosmic Mind.

The Druze follow seven important rules, such as telling the truth and helping each other. They also keep some teachings secret, only sharing them with people ready to understand. 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, known as the "Five Limits," represent important ideas in their faith. Each color stands for a different spiritual power: green for wisdom, red for the soul, yellow for the word, blue for potential, and white for the future.

These colors can be shown as vertical stripes or inside a five-pointed star. The star also represents balance and a moderate 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), make up less than 10% of the Druze community. They follow strict religious, intellectual, and spiritual rules. Both men and women can be initiated. The non-initiated are called al-Juhhāl (the Ignorant), but this term is not commonly used by the Druze themselves.

The al-ʻUqqāl may dress differently, often wearing 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, and they do not believe in having more than one spouse at a time. 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 strongly values Arabic language and culture. Arabic is their main language, and their traditions are closely linked to Arab heritage. They keep their unique religious practices while also taking part in broader Arab cultural life across the Levant.

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

Druze and other religions

The Druze faith developed from an Islamic tradition but is now seen as its own unique religion. Most Druze do not consider themselves Muslims and do not follow Islamic practices called the "five pillars." Historically, they have sometimes faced persecution from Muslim groups.

The Druze share some beliefs with Christianity, such as the importance of the Bible, and they respect Jesus as a prophet. They also share some traditions with Judaism, such as not marrying outside their faith. The Druze have lived peacefully alongside Christians and Jews in many places, though there have been some conflicts over history.

Origins

The Druze are a religious group with deep roots in the Middle East. They follow the Druze faith, which is a unique blend of beliefs that includes ideas from several traditions. Historically, many researchers have explored different theories about where the Druze people originated.

One major theory suggests that the Druze are descended from Arab tribes that lived in regions such as Southern Lebanon and Wadi al-Taym. These tribes are believed to have migrated from areas like the Arabian Peninsula and settled in the Levant, which includes modern-day Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. This idea is supported by the Druze language and cultural practices, which are strongly tied to Arab traditions.

Another perspective looks at the genetic makeup of the Druze. Studies have shown that the Druze share genetic similarities with other groups in the region, such as Lebanese, Syrian, and various Jewish communities. These findings suggest a long history of intermingling among different peoples in the Middle East. Overall, the origins of the Druze reflect a rich tapestry of Arab, historical, and regional influences.