The Druze Sect: A Belief System Unknown to Its Followers Before the Age of Forty

The Druze are an Arab religious community known for their internal cohesion. They live in Syria, in areas around Damascus and the Golan Heights, and in Lebanon and Palestine. The sect was founded by Muhammad bin Ismail al-Durzi, also known as Anushtakin, in the 11th century, and they have their own distinct flag. The estimated number of Druze, including those who have emigrated to Europe, America, or West Africa, is around one and a half million people.

Foundation and Origins

The historical roots of the Druze sect date back to the reign of the sixth caliph of the Fatimid state, Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, whose rule lasted from 996 to 1021 AD. The sect was founded by Muhammad bin Ismail al-Durzi (whose name is derived from the word “Durze,” meaning cloth makers), who migrated to the Levant, and the sect became known by his name.

However, other sources mention that the actual founder of the sect was Hamza bin Ali bin Muhammad al-Zawzani, who is considered one of the founders of the Druze monotheistic faith and the main author of the Druze texts.

The Druze began promoting their doctrine between 1017-1020 AD, which continued until 1043 AD. After that period, their teachings were restricted to the first adherents and their descendants, and no one could join the Druze sect unless born into it.

Among the historical figures associated with the Druze sect—besides the founders—are Hussein bin Haidara al-Farghani, known as Al-Ajda, and Behauddin al-Samouki, known as Al-Dhaif.

In political terms, the Druze are known for Sultan Pasha al-Atrash, the leader of the revolution against the French in Syria in the 1920s, Prince Shakib Arslan, Lebanese political leader Kamal Jumblatt, founder of the Progressive Socialist Party, his son Walid Jumblatt, and Talal Arslan, president of the Lebanese Democratic Party.

The Druze Belief System

The Druze belief system is shrouded in mystery, as the founders chose not to disclose its teachings, keeping it limited to a narrow circle and only allowing those over the age of forty to learn it. Some suggest that the Druze propagated this idea to deter people from questioning their faith, as it is based on secrecy.

The Druze refer to themselves as “the Monotheists,” or “Banu Ma’ruf,” the name of an Arab tribe that embraced the Druze faith in its early days.

They believe in the Pact or Covenant of the Lord of the Time, a pledge that a person takes to become Druze, and they consider it an eternal covenant. The Druze are known for their social, cultural, and political cohesion, and their men are often recognized by their large mustaches, which hold religious significance.

The Druze follow a monotheistic doctrine, and all their beliefs are derived from the Ismaili sect. Their faith has been influenced by multiple philosophical and religious currents from various origins, and one of their main principles is the secrecy of their ideas.

The Druze believe in the absolute oneness of God, viewing God as the eternal creator and controller of the universe, beyond the comprehension of the human mind.

They also believe in the Quran but interpret it in an esoteric way that differs from its clear meanings. Additionally, they have a book called “Risālat al-Hikma” (The Epistles of Wisdom), authored by Hamza bin Ali bin Ahmad, which is considered a “reinterpretation of the Quran.” They prohibit anyone outside the Druze clergy from reading it.

Although the Druze doctrine originally developed from the Ismailis, they do not consider themselves Muslim. Some may claim to be Muslim for political reasons, practicing taqiya (dissimulation) to protect their faith and safety, avoiding conflicts with Muslims.

One of the unique beliefs of the Druze is the concept of the transmigration of souls, which means that the human soul returns to life immediately after death by transferring to the body of a newborn.

The Druze community is tightly-knit and closed off from others. It is rare for a Druze to marry outside the sect, and vice versa. Additionally, polygamy is not allowed, and religious leaders, known as “Aqal,” prohibit it, as it goes against the principle of equality between genders.

Origins of the Druze Belief

Some sources suggest that the origins of the Druze faith go back to February 1021 AD, when the Fatimid caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah disappeared one night without a guard and never returned. The authorities were forced to announce his death, and his son, Al-Zahir Li-I’zaz Din Allah, succeeded him. Hamza bin Ali, the emissary of the caliph to the Levant, refused to accept the death of the caliph and did not recognize the imamate of his son. He claimed that the caliph had merely disappeared and would return later to fill the earth with justice. He and his followers split from the Fatimid state, marking the beginning of Druze thought.

Druze Social Classes

The Druze community is divided into three main classes:

1. 1. The Clergy (Aqal): This class consists of those who study and preserve the religion. It is further divided into three groups: leaders, sages, and the learned. Their leader is called the Sheikh of the Aqal.

1. 1. The Ajaweed: Those knowledgeable about the religion and committed to its teachings.

1. 1. The General Public: Known as “the ignorant of religion,” they are involved in worldly matters rather than religious affairs.

Druze people generally distinguish between the “spiritual person” and the “physical person.” The spiritual person possesses the secrets of the faith (leaders, sages, and the learned), while the physical person is not involved in spiritual matters and is concerned with worldly affairs (they refer to them as “the ignorant”).

Druze places of worship are called “Khalwat” (retreats), where followers hear sacred teachings. “The ignorant” are not allowed to attend these sessions or read religious texts, except during their sole religious holiday, which coincides with Eid al-Adha in Islam.

The Name “Druze”

Lebanese researcher and academic Muhammad Shayya explained that the name “Druze” was imposed on them unjustly. He insisted that the reality of their beliefs confirms they are Muslims and monotheists.

Shayya pointed out that the East is a land of minorities, including the Druze sect, whose dominant characteristic since their inception has been Arab identity and their acceptance of Islamic beliefs. They were sent to defend the Islamic state against the Byzantines and Romans.

History

Many Druze fled from the persecution of the seventh Fatimid caliph, Al-Zahir, before 1026 AD, settling in the mountains of Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. This persecution led them to close themselves off from others.

Despite their small number, they have historically participated in political and military affairs. They assisted the Ayyubids and later the Mamluks in resisting the Crusaders on the Lebanese coast during the Crusades.

The Druze have also been involved in certain conflicts, such as the disputes with the Maronites (Christian sect) in Lebanon in 1841 and 1860, and they participated in resisting French colonialism.

The Druze enjoyed a significant degree of autonomy under the Ottoman Empire and often rebelled against it, aided by the mountainous terrain of their homeland.

A series of feudal lords dominated Druze political life between the 16th and 19th centuries. One of the most famous of these was Fakhr al-Din al-Ma’ani II, a 17th-century ruler who formed an alliance with the Maronite Christians of Lebanon and challenged Ottoman authority, even seeking support from Tuscany.

Initially, the Druze maintained good relations with the Maronites, assisting them in their liberation efforts. However, by the 19th century, tensions between the leaders of the Druze clans and the Maronite sect led to the massacres of 1860, which eventually brought European powers into Lebanon.

Some researchers estimate the Druze population to exceed one million, with 80% residing in Syria, specifically in the city of Sweida, the Golan Heights, and the outskirts of Damascus, as well as in Jordan’s Azraq city, southern Lebanon, and northern and central Palestine.

A number of Druze live in the occupied Palestinian territories and hold Israeli citizenship. The Druze in the diaspora, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, number around 100,000, and they participated in the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) within the Popular Army under the leadership of Walid Jumblatt.