Druze
Etymology and Terminology
The term “Druze” (Arabic: الدروز al-Durūz, Turkish: Dürzîler) is derived from the name of Muhammad al-Darazi, an eleventh-century missionary. The followers refer to themselves as al-Muwahhidun (Arabic: الموحدون al-Muwaḥḥidūn), meaning “unitarians,” due to their strict emphasis on monotheism.
Historical Background
The Druze faith originated in the early 11th century in Cairo, during the Fatimid Caliphate. It was founded by the Persian missionary Hamzah ibn Ali and Muhammad al-Darazi. Al-Darazi’s teachings gained momentum with the support of the Fatimid Caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, who is considered an essential figure within the Druze faith. By 1043, proselytizing activities ceased, and since then, the Druze community has not accepted any new converts.
Core Beliefs and Practices
- Monotheism: The Druze are known for their devotion to a strict form of monotheism, which they term tawhid. They believe in the unity and transcendence of one God.
- Imamate of al-Hakim: Followers revere the Fatimid Caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah as the imam who disappeared mystically and is expected to return.
- Transmigration of Souls: A distinctive belief in the Druze faith is reincarnation. They believe that the soul moves from one body to another in successive lifetimes.
- Scriptures: Their holy texts include Al-Hikmah al-Sharifah (“The Noble Wisdom”), which contains teachings and revelations attributed to past leaders, including Baha al-Din.
- Forbidden Practices: Unlike mainstream Sunni and Shia Islam, the Druze faith forbids polygyny, concubinage, and temporary marriage (mut’ah).
Secretive Nature
The Druze faith is noted for its esoteric tradition. Knowledge about the faith is tightly guarded, and religious teachings are kept secret from outsiders. Only a select group within the community, known as the uqqal (“the wise”), are fully initiated into the religious doctrines.
Demographics and Current Distribution
The contemporary Druze population is concentrated mainly in Lebanon, Syria, and Israel. The global count of Druze adherents is estimated to be over one million.
Further Reading
- The Druze: A New Study of Their History, Faith, and Society by Robert Brenton Betts
- A History of the Druzes by Kais Firro
- The Druze Community and the Lebanese State: Between Confrontation and Reconciliation by Yusri Hazran
Takeaways and Conclusion
- The Druze are a millenarian offshoot of Ismaili Shiism with unique theological beliefs and secretive practices.
- Their strict monotheism distinguishes them significantly from mainstream Sunni and Shia Islam.
- Esoteric traditions and the prohibition on new converts have helped preserve their religious and cultural identity through the centuries.
- Major populations reside in Lebanon, Syria, and Israel.
In summary, the Druze faith represents a distinctive, historically rich, and esoterically guarded tradition within the broader Islamic cultural landscape.
