The Druze religion is a monotheistic and esoteric faith that originated in the 11th century in Egypt and spread to Syria. The religion takes its name from Muhammad bin Ismail Nashtakin ad-Darazi, an early preacher. The Druze faith incorporates elements of Islam, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism, Pythagoreanism, and other philosophies and beliefs. Here is an overview of some of the key aspects of the Druze religion:
Beliefs
The Druze believe in the oneness and unity of God, whom they refer to as Almighty. They do not believe that God takes human form. The Druze faith emphasizes living an ethical life and developing the soul through reincarnation. They believe in prophets like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, but they see Muhammad al-Darazi as the last prophet and founder of their faith.
The Druze believe in an esoteric interpretation of monotheism. Their core text, known as the Hikma Book or Epistles of Wisdom, forms the foundation for their beliefs. This text outlines Druze principles related to the nature of God, the soul, and reincarnation. The Hikma Book is kept secret from non-Druze and only available to initiated members of their faith.
Some key principles in Druze theology include:
- Belief in one God who is indefinable and incomprehensible to the human mind
- Belief that God created the universe through a process of emanation with everything originating from God
- Belief that God communicates through prophets, the last being al-Darazi
- Belief that the human soul is eternal and goes through reincarnation to purify itself
- Belief in an esoteric, allegorical, and symbolic interpretation of scripture
The Druze rejected certain principles from Islam including polygamy, temporary marriage, divorce, and overt missionary activity. They emphasized philosophical reasoning over literal scriptural interpretation. The Druze faith incorporates elements of numerology and mysticism as well.
Practices
Druze religious practices focus heavily on philosophical study and moral conduct. The Druze meet for Thursday night services in meeting houses known as khalwa or khalwat. Only initiated members can attend these services. The services consist of reciting religious poetry and texts, prayer, and philosophical discussion.
The Druze follow seven precepts that define their moral code:
- Truthfulness in speech and self-defense of property
- Supporting one another in solidarity
- Renunciation of former religion upon converting to Druzism
- Not committing adultery or murder
- Not drinking alcohol or eating pork
- Refraining from disassociation from the community
- Submission to God’s will in times of joy and adversity
The Druze emphasize honesty, community support, avoidance of sin, and acceptance of divine will. They also avoid materialism and believe in reincarnation until the soul reaches perfection upon true understanding of God.
In addition, the Druze traditionally only marry within their faith to other members of their community. Marriage outside the Druze faith is forbidden. The Druze also incorporate some dietary restrictions, avoiding pork and alcohol. Modesty and simplicity in dress is encouraged.
History
The Druze faith traces back to the 11th century in Egypt under the Fatimid Caliphate. The religion’s founders presented it as a branch of Shia Islam mixed with Greek philosophy. However, as the faith grew, it diverged from and opposed certain orthodox Islamic principles.
Over time, the Druze faith spread to Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Jordan. Persecution and conflict led the Druze to become secretive about their beliefs. Their communities became closed to converts and outsiders. Only a small group of initiated members have access to the Druze scriptures.
Through the centuries, the Druze faced considerable persecution as heretics from Muslims and Christians. As a result, they keep their faith hidden in order to survive. The Druze took part in political struggles in the Levant and remain prominent in Lebanese politics today.
Currently, there are just over 1 million Druze worldwide, mostly concentrated in Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Jordan. Their secrecy and isolationism has helped the faith survive for a millennium, despite opposition from larger religious groups around them.
Beliefs about Jesus Christ
The Druze view Jesus Christ as an important prophet and messiah but not divine. They believe he was sent by God to reform the Jews and preach new teachings at a time of spiritual decline. However, the Druze do not believe Jesus actually died by crucifixion. Their faith teaches that God would not allow one of his prophets to die in such a shameful way.
Instead, the Druze believe Jesus went into occultation, entering a dormant, spiritual state to escape death, similar to Elijah ascending to heaven in the whirlwind. Just as Elijah returned, the Druze believe Jesus will return one day to restore faith and fight the Antichrist alongside the Mahdi.
While seeing Jesus as a prophet, the Druze reject the divinity of Jesus, the concept of the Trinity, the authority of the Gospels, and they do not celebrate Christian holidays. Their view of Jesus aligns more with Islamic teachings about Jesus being a human prophet, not the Son of God.
Relations with Other Religions
Due to a long history of persecution, the Druze keep their faith hidden from outsiders and do not accept converts. They present themselves differently to varying communities.
Among Muslims, the Druze emphasize their Islamic roots and prophets. Among Christians, they emphasize the prophethood of Jesus. And among Jews, they reference monotheistic roots and prophets shared with Judaism.
This flexible presentation allows the Druze to minimize external threats. However, their secrecy causes both Muslims and Christians to view them with suspicion for concealing their true beliefs.
The Druze try to maintain peaceful relations with Muslims, Christians, and Jews in the Levant region where they reside. But their closed, exclusive faith faces threats from extremists like Al Qaeda and ISIS who view the Druze as heretical.
Key Figures
Some of the most important figures in the origins and development of the Druze faith include:
- Hamza ibn Ali ibn Ahmad – Considered the founder of the Druze faith and author of the Hikma Book of Wisdom, the central Druze text.
- Muhammad al-Darazi – Early preacher of Druzism from whom the name Druze is derived, although later discounted.
- Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah – Sixth Fatimid Caliph who Hamza ibn Ali declared as divine incarnation.
- Baha’a El-Din – Prominent early Druze leader who helped organize the faith in 11th century Lebanon.
- Fakhr-al-Din II – Druze prince who unified Lebanon in the 16th century into a haven for the Druze.
- Kamal Jumblatt – 20th century Lebanese socialist and leader of the Druze Progressive Socialist Party.
These religious scholars, rulers, and reformers helped shape Druze theology and establish communities where the faith could survive past eras of persecution.
Modern Druze Communities
Today, the Druze remain concentrated in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan as minorities in mostly Muslim and Christian majority countries. The largest Druze community of several hundred thousand lives in Syria’s Sweida province.
In Lebanon, the Druze make up around 5% of the population and have played an influential role in politics. Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt currently heads the Progressive Socialist Party and advocates secular government reform.
The Golan Heights region of Israel contains around 20,000 Druze in 14 villages who have lived under Israeli rule since 1967. Most retain Syrian identity cards and ancestry. Druze serve prominently in the Israeli military and government.
And Jordan contains around 40,000 Druze who have integrated peacefully despite their unique faith. Jordanian Druze have served as government ministers and enjoy freedom of religion under Jordan’s constitutional monarchy.
Across these Levantine communities, the Druze continue holding to their esoteric faith and distinct identity despite modernization pressures threatening traditional minority groups. Whether in Syria’s war-torn environment or Israel’s melting pot society, the Druze strive to sustain their 1,000 year old religious heritage.
Persecution of the Druze
As a minority faith diverging from orthodox Islam, the Druze have faced centuries of persecution from Muslim rulers and neighbors. Under the Mamluk Sultanate from the 13th to 16th centuries, the Druze endured massacres and forced conversions.
When the Ottomans took control of Syria and Lebanon, they imposed heavy taxation and discrimination against non-Muslims, though granted the Druze some autonomy. Druze rebellions against Ottoman rule resulted in military crackdowns.
In 1860, conflict between Maronite Christians and Druze in Lebanon led to a civil war where thousands of Christians were killed. The aftermath improved conditions for the Druze under Ottoman reform, but lasted only a few decades.
Under the French Mandate after World War I, the Druze in Syria revolted against French rule and French forces bombarded Druze villages and killed thousands. Discrimination by Muslim Arab nationalists also marginalized the Druze as a non-Arab minority.
Today, the Druze continue to face threats from Islamic extremist groups like Al Nusra in Syria and ISIS which considers the Druze heretical. Many Druze villages have been assaulted or forced to make protection deals with extremists to survive.
The Druze’s long history as a persecuted minority has made them secretive yet resilient, keeping their faith alive through periods of intense opposition and violence from ruling powers. Despite ongoing threats, the Druze religion continues upholding its unique identity and beliefs.
Druze Women
Druze society is patriarchal, but women play an important role in their religious life. While only men can become initiated religious sheikhs in the faith, women participate actively in religious services in Druze houses of worship known as khalwat.
During these spiritual meetings on Thursday evenings, women are separated from men but engage in the same rituals – prayer, chanting religious poetry, and philosophical discussion about Druze scriptures and ethics. Women thus receive religious education alongside men.
Druze women are permitted to drive vehicles, work outside the home, and have access to education – more freedoms than women in some other Middle Eastern conservative religious communities. Many Druze women have joined the workforce as professionals in a variety of fields.
At the same time, Druze society remains traditionalist on family issues such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance, favoring patriarchal customs. Honor killings have occurred against Druze women believed to have brought shame upon families.
But some Druze women have emerged as political leaders, like Wiam Wahhab, a Lebanese member of parliament. Prominent social entrepreneur Hind Kabawat has also advocated for greater empowerment of Druze women through education and economic opportunity.
The Druze provide women more equal access to religious life than most Muslim and Christian sects. But traditional patriarchal attitudes about family and gender roles persist in Druze communities.
Druze Dietary Laws and Cuisine
The Druze faith entails a few dietary restrictions and unique food traditions that shape their cuisine.
Some key Druze dietary laws include:
- Prohibition against eating pork or pork products
- Prohibition against alcohol consumption
- Requirement to only eat meat that has been slaughtered according to their customs
As a result of these laws, Druze cuisine contains no pork or alcohol but features lamb, chicken, and fish prominently. Yogurt is used frequently, and spices like sumac, cinnamon, allspice and za’atar season their food.
Signature Druze dishes reflect the geography and agriculture of their homeland in the Levant region. These include:
- Kibbeh – Ground meat patties with bulgur wheat, onions, and spices
- Labneh – Strained yogurt cheese
- Kafta – Spiced meatballs
- Baba ghanoush – Smoky eggplant dip
- Tabbouleh – Parsley, tomato and bulgur salad
- Shish barak – Meat dumplings in yogurt sauce
- Rice pudding and apricot tarts
The spice za’atar features prominently in Druze cooking and health practices, considered to have medicinal benefits. Hospitality and generosity with food are also important cultural values.
While adhering to their faith’s dietary restrictions, the Druze have developed a cuisine that reflects the fertile agricultural region they have inhabited for a millennium, incorporating diverse flavors and ingredients.
Druze Symbol
The main symbol used in the Druze faith is a five-colored star known as the Star of the Druze or Khamsa Druze. The five points are colored red, green, yellow, blue and white respectively. The symbol encapsulates key Druze beliefs.
Each color represents an important Druze figure or concept:
- Red = Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, the Fatimid Caliph
- Green = Prophet Muhammad
- Yellow = Sayyidina Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law
- Blue = Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses
- White = The Universal Mind
The five points arranged in a star shape reflect the Druze value of unity with the different figures all coming together cohesively, despite emerging from distinct historical traditions.
In addition, the number five has symbolic meaning in the Druze faith relating to their five pillars or divine precepts. Geometry and numerology play an important role in Druze theology.
The Druze flag incorporates the Khamsa star prominently in its design. The Shrine of Abu Ibrahim in Syria also displays the Khamsa Star over its entrance, marking its significance as a uniquely Druze symbol.
Druze peddlers and stores across Lebanon and Syria commonly sell jewelry, clothing, decorations and souvenirs bearing the Khamsa Star to proudly signify their identity.
Conclusion
The Druze faith has survived for nearly 10 centuries despite persecution as a minority religion in the contested Levant region. By maintaining secrecy and isolation, the Druze have preserved their unique monotheistic beliefs, esoteric philosophy, and communities in Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Jordan.
While little known globally, the Druze uphold proud traditions, cuisine, and values rooted in their spiritual principles and culture. As an ethnoreligious group, they continue promoting their rich identity and way of life which has endured major historical upheavals from crusades to caliphates to colonialism.
Hopefully this overview provides insight into the origins, theology, practices, history and modern life of the Druze people and their distinctive faith, known for being reclusive yet resilient in one of the most religiously and politically complex regions of the world.