Druze

Druze is an offshoot of the Ismaili sect of Shia Islam. They believe that the Fatimid Caliph Hakim (disappeared 1021) represented God in His unity. He was the last incarnation of God, and is not dead but in a state of occultation.

There are seven moral rules. The Druzes must love truth; this only applies among themselves. If a Druze tells a falsehood to those of another faith, he must take the first opportunity of telling a co-religionist, who has heard it, that it is a falsehood. They must watch over each other`s safety. They must renounce the religion to which they formerly belonged. They must avoid the devil and all living in error. They must recognize in all ages the principles of divine unity in humanity. They must be satisfied with the acts of `Our Lord Hakim, whatever they are. They must be resigned to his will ( as manifested through his ministers).

The Druzes are divided into initiates (aqil) and the ignorant (jahil). Initiates only meet in the place of worship, the Khalwa, on Thursday evenings, the beginning of Friday according to eastern reckoning. The most meritorious of the initiates, about one in fifty, become perfect (Ajwad).

Metempsychosis is an accepted doctrine. It is commonly said that the number of the sect is constant. Meaning that for instance, if there Druze in China dies, one is born in Syria and vice versa.

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