Druze

Quick Facts: Who was Druze?

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Druze

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Esoteric Arab religious group in the Levant, adherents believe in reincarnation and monotheism.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Druze, who call themselves al-Muwaḥḥidūn (lit. 'the monotheists' or 'the unitarians'), are an esoteric religious group of Arabs who adhere to the Druze faith, an Abrahamic, esoteric, monotheistic, ethnic, and syncretic religion whose main tenets assert the unity of God, reincarnation, and the eternity of the soul. Although the Druze faith originally developed from the Ismā‘īli branch of Shiʿa Islam, members of the Druze community do not identify as Muslims. They maintain the Arabic language and culture as integral parts of their identity, with Arabic being their primary language. Most Druze religious practices are kept secret, and conversion to their religion is not permitted for outsiders.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Interfaith marriages are rare and strongly discouraged. They differentiate between spiritual individuals, known as "uqqāl", who hold the faith's secrets, and secular ones, known as "juhhāl", who focus on worldly matters. Druze believe that, after completing the cycle of rebirth through successive reincarnations, the soul reunites with the Cosmic Mind (al-ʻaql al-kullī). The Epistles of Wisdom (Rasāʾil al-Ḥikma) is the foundational and central text of the Druze faith. The Druze faith originated in the Ismā‘īli denomination of Shiʿa Islam, and has been influenced by a diverse range of philosophical and religious traditions, including Christianity, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism, Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism, and Pythagoreanism.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

This has led to the development of a distinct and secretive theology, characterized by an esoteric interpretation of scripture that emphasizes the importance of the mind and truthfulness. Druze beliefs include the concepts of theophany and reincarnation. The Druze hold Shuaib in high regard, believing him to be the same person as the biblical Jethro. They regard Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, and the Ismā‘īli Imam Muhammad ibn Isma'il as prophets. Additionally, Druze tradition honors figures such as Salman the Persian, al-Khidr (who they say are reincarnations of Elijah, John the Baptist, and Saint George), Job, Luke the Evangelist, and others as "mentors" and "prophets".

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Druze

True or False: “The Druze faith was established solely through direct teachings from Muhammad ibn Isma'il.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While influenced by Ismā‘īli Shiʿa Islam, the faith synthesized tenets from Gnosticism, Neoplatonism, and other traditions.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Druze