Who are the Druze?
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- čas přidán 4. 04. 2020
- Another video in my series about religious minorities in the middle east. This time we talk about the secretive group known as the "Druze", also known (by themselves) as "al-Muwahhidun".
Sources:
Larson, Göran; Simon Sorgenfrei, Max Stockman (2017). "Religiösa minoriteter från Mellanöstern" (Religious minorities from the Middle East). Myndigheten för stöd till trossamfund.
Bryer, David (1975). "The Origins of the Druze Religion", Part 1. Der Islam, vol. 52, p. 47-84)
Hirschberg, H.Z. (1981). The Druzes, p. 330-348 in Arberry, A.J. & Beckingham. C.F. (editors), Religion in the middle east:
Three religions in Concord and conflict, Vol 2. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Firro, Kais M. (2011). The Druze Faith: Origin, Development and Interpretation. Arabica 58, p. 76-99.
Videos used:
• Communities Uncovered:...
• Insight to Israel - Th...
I love that I found a religion channel that takes a scholarly position, opposed to explaining from/ for the advantage of their particular religion.
You must watch Religion for Breakfast, too. He's excellent too.
@@barrocaspaula They've collaborated recently, it's a great video
Try Blogging Theology
If a religion is not explained on its own terms, it can be defined as branching from or being a version of any religion.
as a member of the druze faith I enjoyed your unbiased opinion and diverse information that you have gathered.
Excellent can i ask you a question ive been dieing to purchase a copy of the epistles of wisdom would it be possible to purchas a copy from you?
@@thebookworm123 they are not available for purchase. Not to the uninitiated nor to individuals that do not exist within the group.
@@thebookworm123 good try! you keep yours secret, they do theirs!
@Karen Zeitouny, I would love to invite you to accept Islam as your religion, as it is the only way to salvation. Read and learn Quran Al Majid
@@dolarkhan1334 Every religion thinks they are the only one. All you need is to be a good human being who doesn't hate others, if cannot love them, help others in need regardless of their religious belief, race or nationality. We are one world and one race! Hell and heaven are all here if you seek it you will find it! Of course, what I say it will not click since we are all brain washed through all religions!
As a Druze individual this information is accurate and unbiased. Great job on your Arabic pronunciation. Job well done on the video
I really wanna know more about the Druze. Is it possible I could ask you some questions on any messenger or email ?
I say it is very inaccurate and biased actually.
@@estprogo6564 Are you a Druze?
Hello Jehaheen. And God bless your Tribe.
I recently saw a documentary called….
The Strand of Jesus. A search for DNA
It is an amazing wonderful investigation of The Shroud of Jesus and the DNA from the Shroud is of wonderful Jesus, and also proven that Jesus is of your great tribe the Druze, and that people of your tribe are directly related to Jesus!
There was a lady called Azmee on the film, and when Azmee was told that she has the blood line of Jesus I had a lot of happy tears filling my eyes.
Thank God for all of you.
I already knew The Shroud of Jesus is real as I have seen Jesus in 2001, and the photos from the Shroud are exactly that of Jesus I have met.
Jesus has beautiful kind and strong Emerald green eyes, He is amazing to see! Jesus had also given me visions of The Seven seals, and The Ark of the covenant, and has shown me a an actual Very very special sword, that it’s powers are to defeat evil.
All the above experiences happened before I read any of my Bible, but I Always believed in God.
Jesus has also healed people through me, just to say that to you.
It is SO so wonderful to have learnt very recently of your wonderful tribe, and the incredible news that Jesus is of your Totally very special Druze tribe!
I wish you all things well and I pray Gods love peace security and happiness Always is with you and All your tribe The Druze.
Lastly Thank you for being you, Druze.
JB. East Surrey. UK.
@@amedkal2311you couldn’t handle the truth the druze have. Most are mainstream but isn’t 100% accurate. Unless you talk to a real druze chiekh none know the real truth. But druze are the real chosen ones not Jews. Even Jesus was druze and was spreading the word of joining druze and like many prophets got assassinated.
I live among Druzes and have many friends, very kind sincere people, always helpful
The drews were our allies in Lebanon trust me they were not peace full people
@@haroldmcnabb7603 Since they were your allies means you are not peaceful either? Tell us more man
@@haroldmcnabb7603 they are not peaceful. They are the most peaceful.
@@najiessmaeel5169 maybe the most "live and let live" kind of people in the Levant
@@baraghy3627 Thank you for your very kind comment.
this was very well done... there's plenty info about the Druze online but most are inaccurate. This was good work, accurate, unbiased and very fair.
Yay :)
Al hakim was killed never rose to heaven a false christ. Peopel wake up tonthe devils lies seek the lord Jesus Christ he is the only truth of God and the only way to be saved from eternal hell fire and inherit eternal life you have only one life and chance in life to get it rigjt with God before you die. God bless you all.
@@heewatamsuen7252 do you mean the false jesus that was introduced by Emperor Flavos and the historian Josphous who plagiarized the new testament or the real Christ the Messiah that lived in India for 18 years.
@@bazradwan the Jesus of the Bible the cross is the true messiah anything else is a lie by the devil the anti christ that denies Jesus christ crucifixion, for example for druze religion al hakim is a deceiver used by satan an anti christ to mislead his followers into beliving God possessed al hakim to make false revalation called alhikmih, another example islam muhamad is a false prophet anti christ that denies Jesus Christ of the cross and came up with the quran the works of the devil to whom they call allah. Allah is literally satan in disguise nothing to do with God for the devil decieved them.
Surah 3:54 Alah is the greatest of all deceivers..
Arabic: ومكروا ومكر الله والله خير الماكرين
Transliteration: Wamakaroo wamakara Allahu waAllahu khayru almakireena
Literal: And they cheated/deceived and God cheated/deceived, and God (is) the best (of) the cheaters/deceivers.[2]
Revalation 20:10 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
@@heewatamsuen7252 'Makru' not always mean to deceive/cheat. 'Makru' can be translated as plot/to make a plan. Your Jesus in Matthews ordered yu to become manipulative like a snake. Life is war, you can fight, or you can give up and die. That verse is delivered to ppl who is in state of war, ppl like you never see how US marines fight in battlefield. The soldiers should make grand strategy to deceive their enemy, and stupid ppl like you will die first because you think you live in childish world without demons. Wake up boy.
I am Sunni but I still try to open discussion with my Jewish and my Shia friends. Waalaikum
i can hear your Arabic accent and, i'm not gonna lie, even being irreligious and far from being a believer, it gives me a little bit of peace and familiarity to hear it. it's refreshing to have that kind of linguistic respect regardless of whatever your religious beliefs driving it. thank you.
Are you Arab?
czcams.com/video/BHTbJqMaFAw/video.html
arab.
I don't know if you meant his accent when speaking Arabic but I believe he is Swedish
@@oldensten3337his pronunciation of ح though
Your Arabic pronunciation is too good man
Aw as in saw, asha as in aź-ha
He keeps saying "Drooss" instead of "Droozz.'
Google translate, say that he's talking about 'jews' when he says "druze" - and several other difficulties with words...
@@toreschanke4086 so google is perfect isn’t it?
I literally couldn't understand from where jews came up in the video
I can’t help but hear “Jews” instead of Druze.
Came here to write this!
turn captions on, even Google is confused
He is Swedish, so his English is very good, but not perfect.
Same
@@evolutiontellsthetruth7812 I had no idea he was swedish, his english is so fluent!
Our archaeological team hired a group of Druze from a nearby town to do a lot of the heavy lifting and clearing. Our student contingent were curious about them so during our breakfast they were invited to talk about themselves! An interesting result of their belief in reincarnation is that they are fearless in battle (at least that's the official story) because they know if they are killed they'll "be back"
What's YOUR belief in regards to reincarnation, Guy?
That's fascinating!
I never knew people were scared of dying because they wouldn't get to live life.
It's unfair to the not so fortunate people.
That's right 😊 we fear no death nor anything except God 🙏🏻 death to us is merely crossing a door from a body to body so .. when it comes to defend your land, family or religious beliefs.. we're on it 🔥
Funny how a druze guy told exactly the same. I am baffled because I didn’t know about the Druzes until today. Very interesting.
Muslim here and I never knew about this religion. This was really interesting to learn about. I’m gonna do more research!
Guess who persecuted them ?? Like the Zoroastrians?? 🤔
@@albusai don't be ignorant. Empires≠followers of a religion. It's not fair to blame jews for the killing of christ peace be upon him, nor is it fair to say that Muslims are to be blamed for the actions of wicked empires, same goes with Christians. A religion is a religion and its not fair to blame people for something they did not do or support.
This is not an individual religion, it’s a sect
@@albusai Zoroastrians persecuted the Manichaeans during the times of persian empires, the Christians persecuted the jews during the first crusade, everybody already done persecutions, we can't change what happen in the past, instead of complaining about the past, we should move on.
@@albusai Well, Druzes have also persecuted Maronite Christians in the Jabal of Lebanon. With the help of the Ottoman Muslims... so... Poor Maronites!
As a druze, i find this video an excellently researched and executed documentary. However, it falls into the common pitfalls and misunderstandings characteristic to most "orientalist" writings about shia sects in general and the druze in particular. I'll add a small list of minor corrections based on my obviously biased yet hopefully reflective view of my own sect:
1. Al darazi is widely considered by most if not all modern druze as a heretic. There are manuscripts ascribed to hamza and other leaders of the faith that denounced al darazi and some of his followers. This is due to Al-Darazi's attempt to introduce radical views into the sect, including the proclamation of his own "Imamah".
2. The majority of modern druze in the Levant area hail not from north Africa, but from the Arabian peninsula. They mostly are the descendants of Arabian tribes brought to the Mediterranean shores to, and i quote "help defend against the Faranja raiders". They later converted into the "druze sect" during the height of the fatimid empire. (faranja here refers to byzantines who were erroneously called "french" by the arabs, the term faranja evolved to encompass anything foreign and is a possible etymological origin for the English word "foreign"). After the decline of the fatimid empire and its subsequent reconversion to Sunni islam, the levantine druze maintained their faith as they were far from the major Sunni powers of that era.
3. The name "druze" is one we usually do not really appreciate yet use because its popularity. We favor "muwaheddine" which literally translates to "the monotheists".
4. We also don't like the word "juhhal" which has negative connotations, we refer to the layman druze as "zamani" which translates to "he/she of his time" which refers to the partial disconnect the layman has with his faith
وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ...
on that note any sunni would feel the need to takfir a Druze because they take this Imam as a manifestation of Allah T.A.
What kind of Tawhid is that?
@@magpie1999aus druze definitely do NOT consider Al Hakim a divine manifestation. Druze, like all shia sects, emphasize on Al Wilaya considering Imams to be spiritually inspired religious leaders.
@@a-man2246 You either have no idea what you're talking about or you're some Druze initiate trying the oldest trick in the book: hiding the true Druze beliefs. And again, Druze people are absolutely not Muslim. Either educate yourself about it (which is impossible if you're not Druze tbh) or stop spreading lies about the Druze.
@@a-man2246 I don’t know if you accidentally got mixed up with incarnation and manifestation but Hakim is a divine manifestation but NOT the incarnation of god in the way that Christians see Jesus. I am Druze btw
The term for foreigner in Thai is farang this includes people and some objects man farang, I believe, is Thai for potato
I visited a Druze village while I was in Lebanon. They were very friendly but you can tell there a little secretive about their religion and culture.
thank you, brother, this is just a kind of protection we do to protect ourselves from the extremists because we are a minority
The Druze are also good fighters. During the civil war in Lebanon, under the leadership of Walid Jumblatt, they were able to defeat the then powerful Maronites, a Christian sect backed by the Syrians.
The progressive front lieder was Kamal Jumblatt(not his son Walid).It was not only druses who fought against the fascist phalange and his Israel friends.Jumblatt was the leader of the Socialist Progressive Party amd Minister of Home Affairs of Lebanon.Kamal Jumblatt was a Lebanese and Arab patriot.He was later murdered by killers Oberon orders from criminal Syria President Haffez Assad.
وعند الله تجتمع الخصوم ليحكم بينهم فيما كانوا فيه يختلفون...
(إن ربك هو يفصل بينهم يوم القيامة فيما كانوا فيه يختلفون}
Syrians only backed the maronites for one year before backing the Druze after that
1) They say that they won harb el jabal but in reality the Syrian Army did 90% of the job. Alone they were nothing
2) They lost in Souk el Garb and the Ouwet occupied Qada2 Aley, the Chouf and Saida region :)
Druze have always been warriors. In the 1600's and 1800's they raided the Galilee successfully from Mt. Lebanon and Syria. They are also considered some of the best soldiers in Israel and occupy very high command positions including being in charge of Israel's entire central command as well as the head of the Golani Brigade was until recently a Druze. The commander personally went into Gaza with his men when a number of soldiers were captured or killed in 2014. Another very high ranking Druze commander died in a plane crash in 2016 which led to a national day of mourning in Israel
I admire their ability to keep what is sacred to them private and away from outsiders. This makes them stronger. They’re able to go deeper in spirituality because of this. They’re not contending with those who don’t belong not dealing with scrutiny, contamination from outsiders. Very wise indeed. I admire them greatly for this.
Ye but they may go extinct and their numbers may unfortunately decline
It's not healthy to be cut off from the rest of the world.
I think cutting yourself off from outside scrutiny is the epitome of pride and arrogance. It is the opposite of wise. All it does is weaken their self-awareness.
@Randomnamegeneratir That's one of the key mistakes the religious make.
Agreed, another plus in my eyes is less conflictions with other religions, if every religion was like this.. keep your beliefs to yourself and treat people well.. the world would've been a better place.
I love Druzes. There are a lot of Druzes in South America and they are really good people.
I`m of Druze descent.
@@AspieMediaBobby what is comon blood types in your nation?
@@adamusabrhminus7570 I`m personally Type AB(Glendale-born and all) but Type Os are also common for Armenian,Lebanese-Syrian,Tunisian,Libyan,Algerian-French,Basque and Egyptian Druze people like I`m descended from.
@@AspieMediaBobby so we are brothers ✋basque are not druzre .the blood abrh neg and zero neg are verry diferrent haracter diferent nations the blood ab is popular in east europe slavic nation and zero nag is popular in celtic countrys and Jewish
@@adamusabrhminus7570 I`m aware Basque and Druze are not the same thing but you do realize,of course, that during the Crusades a lot of Druze,Jews and Gnostics were forcibly converted to Catholicism and/ or Orthodoxy by the French,Greeks,Turks,Britons and Spaniards,correct?
As a student of world religions for forty three years, I appreciate your contributions. They are enlightening and unbias with lucid undercurrents of invitations for constructive crtique. Keep up your wonderful work Sir. It wouid be wonderful to duscuss our mutual affinity of world religions and philosophical nuances. Please add Sabian , Babis , Zen and Shinto and Zaydi and Ahmadya and Tibetan Bhonnism. Confucianism and Taoism is remarkable too as is Buddhist sects.
Very well delivered, love your style.
Fascinating! I love your channel man! Keep up the awesome content. So here for it
Thanks again. Your hard work does you much credit.
As a durze, I appreciate your clear and objective opinion towards the community without adding any biased or political colors to it, or any false claims.
What is ur view on prophet Muhammad and hazrat ali
May Allah guide you
You are very well talented in topics of Religion... very interesting way of presenting each topic in a short-time and complete ...
keep going and going...Bravo 👏
Good video, but there were a few inaccuracies. For one, all druze agree that darazi was a heretic. The real name is muwahadin, people called us druze a derogatory term referring to the followers of darazi. We do not believe al-hakim is god, but a reflection of God's light. If anything it was a failed reform movement that sought to reform Islam and incorporate Greek philosophy and eastern thought. A lot of it is very advanced in terms of religious beliefs, one being anti superstition, and equal rights to men and women.
Question: It seems that Salman al-Farisi is a very respected figure among the Druze - isn't he?
I thought the real name is "Mani Ma'aruf”, is it wrong?
@@CrystalCoffin yea hes a central figure
@@dima.96 "bani" means "the sons/people of"... its common for Arab tribes or people to be named like that. For example the arabic word for human being is "beni adam" or the sons/ppl of Adam.
@@beirutbastard3878: So, why is Salman important? The particular reasons for that
I went into a Wikipedia knowledge gathering rabbit hole. Started with Chaldean after hearing about them in a Russell Peters stand up. Started reading about Jordan and the word Druze caught my eye. Never before I heard of this religion. As I was reading their Wikipedia, I thought, let me check if there are any videos on CZcams on this topic. And that's how I found this video. So insightful and well-explained. Thank you.
I am now off to watching more of your videos.
Yay! Thank you! :)
Lolz!same is my story.
I love Druzeem! When I lived in Israel I had a friend on the Lebanon boarder who took me to his village and it was nothing less than extraordinary. The sense of togetherness even amongst the religious and nonreligious ppl was next to none. #love is the only word that captures the true essence of what I experienced... I'm so grateful.
It’s actually Palestine.
This is a great introductory video on this breakaway of Islam that I'd barely heard of before that calls for some wider research online methinks. Your level of presentation is also very professional, yet you keep it fairly informal - a nice balance. Gonna watch more.
They aren't breakaway muslims.
Very interesting historical review.
Good info- back in the '80s we constantly heard on the news about the Druze militias in Lebanon, but nobody ever seemed to want to explain what the Druze were.
Yes they won all the wars against all who provoked and undermine there lands and religion
@@cosmicfive852 Perhaps you should make a video.
@@ogivecrush
There's plenty out there.
Subscribe to-"Biblical ones"
He has a wide range on the Druze.
From religion to history regarding the three countries they reside in.
Thanks
You are saying Druze it almost sounds like Jews
lol, yes, it threw me for a loop a couple of times.
I'm glad I was not alone in hearing this! How hard is it to say the dr sound? I have never heard someone substitute it for a j sound, but it makes sense since they can approach one another, overlap, and even approximate one another to some extent
got me dizzy with this jew thing
Yup haha me too. D is so close to J the way he says it
Jews as apostates from Shia Islam... 8-))
Thank you very much for your VIDEO..
Beautiful explications..
GOD BLESS YOU
13:15 .. the Nabi Shuwaib shrine!!! While on a break from a nearby archaeological dig I went there to see the shrine (it's close by, west of Tiberias in Galilee) as I'd been there 10 years earlier but couldn't get in. Luck would have it it was a big Druze holiday, the parking lot was ringed by merchant and food booths and families cooking barbecues (and pony rides!). I went to the shrine and was instructed by a very nice elderly man on the proper etiquette (wearing a jacket and a baseball cap which were provided on racks next to the door and making sure to step over, not on, the doorway sill... and No Photos! Even though many families were taking selfies next to the prophet's tomb 🤣 ) It's one of my favorite shrines!
It was a terrific experience, kids running up to me to take their pictures, fathers offering to me to take pictures of their children!
Fun fact: Nabi Shuwaib is next to the Horns of Hattin, the battlefield where Saladin defeated Crusaders in a decisive battle that sent the Europeans packing to the coast!
Thanks! That was awesome! It seems only archaeologists have met them,although I have Druze friends here In Cleveland,from Lebanon. Fascinating faith!
A very fascinating channel, I love to know others🙋
L have watched about 4 of your presentations, so far. I have thoroughly enjoyed them all and have learned so much. You are a very good speaker-everything is concise and well explained. Looking forward to the next installments
Thank you again. I have always had a lot of questions about the Druse, and you have given me many of the answers. Your channel is one of the few on CZcams where the content is actual scholarship. I wish more were this informative.
Trust me, most the information is actually wrong and misleading.
I used to live in Cairo and in the newer suburb where the ruler alhakim biamrillah disappeared. These mountains are also important to the local Christians who say a monk caused these monks to move (the story references "If you have the faith of a mustard seed, you can move mountains"). In the actual city, you can find a mosque alhakim made where Napoleon stabled his horses when he came to Egypt (a friend of mine also got married there).
I also have visited Israel and met some Druze who never call themselves Muslims there. I saw some of their holy sights and their religuous people who only wear black and white.
I can imagine the much of work and reading in every video bro .
Definitely alot of work .
Thanks
very good video. great work. thank you very much!
Love love love how you pronounce Arabic names and places etc amazing work ! MashAllah
Is this the extra word he says after some names? Does it mean they are particularly blessed?
thank you for these important and relavant information to explain Islam's many facets
Absolutely fascinating.
Thanks for educating all of us
you are on the best subscription I've made on youtube ,
Awesome breakdown. Awesome pronunciations as well. Thank you for this - this is a topic with very little coverage, so I appreciate your work very much :)
Glad to find this channel 🙂🙂
Very interesting. Thank you for the video!
This group is very similar to the Bektashi Sufi Order in Albania. Please do a video on them too. Good work
@The Star who’s skanderburg and why would he be crying ?
@Kujtim Krasniqi Wasn't he catholic??
@@sd-zw6us He was raided as a catholic . and by the turks he changed his religion to islam. after many years in ottoman he came back to his birthplace and changed his religion back and fought against the ottoman.
@ippos_khloros The reason for that is that all groups you have named, the Ismailis, Alevis , Druze and Alawites come from the same root. They are all offshoots of Shiism, which got isolated and turned to new and batini (esoteric) ideas. The Alevis exist because Safavid soldiers settled down Anatolia and got influenced by Christians and some very unorthodox Sufi oders there. The Alawites have a disputed origin but share the foreign influence as also the esoteric understanding. Ismailis are the literal epitome of Esotericism. If you read the works of Imam Al Ghazzali you'll see how he talks about the Batiniyyah (esotericism) but solely means the Ismailis. They are indeed all esoteric groups but also all of them share the "Alawi" (not the nusayris) or Shia root and part of their identity. All of their important people are somehow related to the Ahlulbayt or Ali in some way. Also i think the term esoteric islam fits the description in the sense that many of those groups claim to be part of islam. But from an orthodox or even generally Islamic perspective as well as their own one they are not really part of islam. Many, if not most of these groups claim that themselves, some are closer to islam than others/are consideres Muslims, namely the Ismailis and Alevis while the Alawites and Druze are very far off in some essential topics. But again besides the Ismailis the groups have different views inside their communities which may vary significantly through which it is even harder to categorize them in or out of the limits of Islam.
@ippos_khloros The whole Shiite movement has a certain degree of mysticism to it, since its whole "birth" is based on mysticism in that sense. But as we know, mysticism is not = Esotercisim. The Twelvers/Jafaris and especially the Zaidis are exoteric, much like the Ahlus sunnah and other groups. Zaidis are in fact the closes Shiites to the Sunnis, since they do not reject the Caliphate of the 3 previous Caliphs before Ali. So they are not esoteric, but they (The Zaidis and Twelvers) are indeed mystic. The whole esotericism developped out of the Shia Mysticism which puts huge emphasis on the Ahlul bayt and Ali. So no, they are not Esoteric
About three years ago I visited Lebanon as part of a delegation from Stockholm social services. One of the most fascinating things we did was meeting the leader of one of the two druze political parties, as he was at that time minister of refugees. So in Lebanon, druze might be a religion, an ethnicity or a political affiliation. Or possibly someone might not even see a distinction between these three.
Also, they do have two different druze political parties. On paper one is more socialist and the other more conservative, but the two parties are also representing the two biggest druze clans. So the man we met was party leader, minister and clan leader (which is in itself a complicated thing, somewhere between a don and a duke). I have no idea if he would also have had some kind of religious title among his many ”hats”.
Actually walid jumblat represents 70% of druze community in lebanon he is the actual leader
I really appreciate and love your work me an Arabic person and i come from a Moslem family yet I really learn so much from you
Every day is a school day , very informative Thank You
greetings from a druze right here my friend , nice historical data and unbiased ofc you dont have all the facts but you did a wonderful job with what you have
Thank you, glad to hear from actual Druze viewers!
Al hakim was killed never rose to heaven a false christ. Peopel wake up tonthe devils lies seek the lord Jesus Christ he is the only truth of God and the only way to be saved from eternal hell fire and inherit eternal life you have only one life and chance in life to get it rigjt with God before you die. God bless you all.
Mathew 24:24
23At that time, if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There He is!’ do not believe it. 24For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible. 25See, I have told you in advance.…
@@heewatamsuen7252 sure bro
Trading251
Don’t worry about our lost brother above..
He’s a xdruze
Hee Wa Tam Suen
Both your parents are Druze, so that makes you ya druzi my brother
How come this solid channel hasn't that many views is beyond me. Keep up the good work. I myself also study in this field. Overall you certainly are above my field of expertise ;) Your material could even be used for educational purposes.
I do have a question pertaining to your own religious sensibilities. Are you yourself religious (in a strict definition of the word), or how would you define yourself. I believe you are being as neutral as one can try to be, but it might be good to have a video dedicated to your own beliefs and how this relates or doesn't relate to the videos you make. When I read a book, I first look up what kind of beliefs or background said person has. It makes that I can place it in a context.
I think it would be valuable to shed light on this matter. Altough I do understand if you'd find it problematic from a neutral and comparative take on religion in your academics.
I appreciate you saying that! Where/How do you study and do you have a main subject you specialize in? :)
I could certainly make a video like that at some point, but I want to make this channel as little about me as possible.
I don't think I could be considered religious in a "strict" sense. I consider myself a Christian by culture but not necessarily theology.
I tend to believe in God and with a theology more in line with thinkers from different schools of (that very questionable term) "mysticism". Perhaps as a result of studying mainly those movements, such as Sufism, Taoism, Vedanta for example. But I also tend to believe everything and nothing simultaneously sometimes. I study a lot of religions and they all usually have intriguing things to say, but that also means its harder to take any one of them more seriously than the other.
@@LetsTalkReligion I study in the Netherlands as a educator of religion, a bit of philosophy and ethics (levensbeschouwing). It isn't precisely a religion teacher, I myself use the term worldview education for it.
I also currently am employed in this field. Mainly I teach about judaism, christianity, islam, hinduism and buddhism to 12-14 year olds. Other more obscure religions like the Druzes are not an important subject in my work. Sadly I'd say.
Besides that I have a degree in history as a history teacher. For me personally my interst of history and religion/philosophy are very much intertwined.
Sometimes students ask me the same question I asked you, and it can make me feel uneasy about it. As I don't want them to feel I am giving them biased information. But on the other end I feel I have to provide this information of myself. So I am growing increasingly more comfortable with it.
That's wonderful! You are of course free to use my videos as part of a class/course if you so wish.
I agree. I usually get a little uncomfortable answering those questions, but most of us can agree that complete objectivity is impossible. So it's better in that regard to be transparent about your own views and tackle the issue of subjectivity through openness.
@@LetsTalkReligion I think these courses are a bit too advanced for my students, especially the level of English which probably is way too advanced for most. But for myself or others within the field it is a good way to keep knowledge on point ;)
Al hakim was killed never rose to heaven a false christ. Peopel wake up tonthe devils lies seek the lord Jesus Christ he is the only truth of God and the only way to be saved from eternal hell fire and inherit eternal life you have only one life and chance in life to get it rigjt with God before you die. God bless you all.
Mathew 24:24
23At that time, if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There He is!’ do not believe it. 24For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible. 25See, I have told you in advance.…
amazing work brother,
Fantastic video keep it up your doing amazing job.
Thank you sir we are really learning with you. Would you be able to do a video about Khidr?
YES please
As a Druze I'm very proud of how far my people have distinguished from the religious aspect of The community, we are not perfect but on a social level we have done so much for women rights and progressive ideas since most of us are not religious and hold liberal ideas, we respect the religious punch in our community but their voice has been gone ignored for a long time and I hope we can keep it this way.
Al hakim was killed never rose to heaven a false christ. Peopel wake up tonthe devils lies seek the lord Jesus Christ he is the only truth of God and the only way to be saved from eternal hell fire and inherit eternal life you have only one life and chance in life to get it rigjt with God before you die. God bless you all.
Hee Wa Tam Suen dude, what the F does this has to do with my comment, get your religion away from me homi, wish you the best but stay away from me lol
@@user-vq2de7lj3w its the only truth for God's word the Holy Bible is here for all of mankind to know the truth and especially here for druze people to read and know who our God is..life is a test to eternal life my friend. God bless you and your family.
"since most of us are not religious" - that's very disappointing to hear. Though from what I understand it's ethnic for the outward and mystical for the inner circle of sorts.
Kinda like earlier forms of Judaism and Jewry.
Excellent can i ask you a question ive been dieing to purchase a copy of the epistles of wisdom would it be possible to purchas a copy from you?
Thank you for being my new favorite channel!
Auto generated captions are so funny. It is totally changing the meaning. How can it get Fatimid caliph as Ottoman caliph is beyond my understanding. Love the channel though. Keep up the good work and best of luck on your intellectual journey.
Great information 👍👍👍
What music is that at the end??? It’s beautiful.
Thank you, that's my own music that I released under the group Zini. It's available on Spotify: open.spotify.com/track/7dZWmt9XZ90LLMPy0S3DVv?si=mrNHLo0zQGCr1FD0HArB2A
Thank you, this is a very great video and one of the only internet sources that speaks truth of us 🙏
Excellent presentation!
ISIS group is not a fundamentalist group. Rather they should be described as extremists and terrorists. Following fundamentals of the religion makes one a fundamentalist. This term should not be used interchangeably with extremism. I'm sure you didn't mean to imply that fundamentals of Islam result in groups such as ISIS. Thank you
they are followers of ibn-tamiya.
@@atherkhan646 Really? Funny they just appeared after Invasion of the West and Israel.
@Imran_Ahmed
Fundamentalists are by their very nature exclusive and supremacist. It is an extreme or purist interpretation of their religion. They believe they alone are worthy of salvation. ISIL simply take this analysis one step further. ISIL and fundamentalist armed groups in other religions express their belief that infidels (or those unfaithful) are unworthy by killing them.
@@phelimridley6727 ISIS are on NATO payroll, nothing to do with religion, so spare us the BS!
@@adna-qv4bn indeed they are on the NATO payroll. And Zionist proxies also. But my point about what makes a fundamentalist still stands.
You can make your point without being offensive.
It would be good to see another Druze video. I was left wanting to know more about this religion actually.
He mentioned that they’re so secretive that even some Druze don’t have access to their information. Maybe he literally just couldn’t find out anything more.
@@ibrahimkhatib6191 I’m assuming they propably have a druze manusmriti or a druze tantra that’s only meant for initiated elites or something. I’m surprised their manuscripts weren’t stolen by the persecutors.
@@ibrahimkhatib6191 There is one book called The Druze and their Faith in Tawhid by Anis Obeid
@@MrMikkyn Is the author a Druze? It would be good if we could get it straight from one of them. As for their persecutors I’m not surprised they didn’t take copies of their scriptures. They were probably more interested in destroying them than studying them.
@@ibrahimkhatib6191 The author has a video where he answers the question on his religion. I think he said he was raised as a nominal christian in the Lutheran tradition, but is non-practicing. But I may be wrong.
Very fine job. One of the best ever made publicly. But some Notes:
-All Druze (We definitely use the word Druze, but yes the better historical and doctrinal word is 'muwahhidiin') consider al-Darazi a heretic. But I see how some Druze would like it to look like as if there is a division so that they can deny some (actually true) beliefs. If there are Darazi supporters, we can then say that they believe this and that not us. But really, there is no single evidence of a person in the Druze history that recognized Darazi as a holy figure. This is definite because in the 'epistles', it is clear that al-Darazi was sort of a 'murtad', and not because of extremism or so, rather something about him trying to get a higher position in the call (da'wa).
-Great job distinguishing the following: Manifestation vs Incarnation. Creation vs. emanation. While the first distinction I think is more grounded in the 'epistles' (since the word incarnation was never used in all Druze literature), the second distinction is a bit interpretive. While the 'epistles' and the neoplatonic spirit of the text seems to suggest emanation, I think the text was not as simple regarding this issue, especially that emanation 'fayd' was not used in the 'epistles' in this context. There is definitely an emanation spirit but perhaps at the stage of the 5 principles of being. But when it comes to God, I think the text was trying to avoid both emanation and creation ex-nihilo.
-The seven precepts of religion are accurate and they are good translations of these clearly stated precepts in the epistles.
-The epistles emphasis on the new era is underestimated here, but at least mentioned. It seems to have slipped from most scholars.
-The uqqal-juhhal division is a bit old. It still prevails but with a more 'politically correct' naming.
-Access to Druze teachings is not as difficult, especially with many (but not all) resources online. It helps to be a Druze or even more an initiated because of the proximity and ability to converse with knowledgeable people. But with good research skills, you could learn almost everything.
-Your comment on Eid al-Adha is interesting and has something to it that slips many Druze. While the Eid is celebrated in a way very similar to Muslims and is on the same day and is definitely inspired by the same story, it also has a symbolic representation, something related to the idea of the new era in fact.
-Reincarnation in Druze is more complicated than what you have mentioned.
-I understand your association of al-Hakim with al-mahdi, but it is not true. It seems to work from a shii or ismaili framework. But al-Hakim transcends such attributes. Hamza being the real imam, he is the figure who resembles the Mahdi the most.
Final political note: The way you spoke about the region without mentioning Palestine as part of the Levant, and your repetition of Israeli terminology without even hinting to a conflict is very disturbing and in itself political.
beautiful intro. I learned a lot
Great video! I know how difficult it could be to find consistent information on this religion. Do you by any chance know how the Druze might feel towards figural arts/iconography, or if they are aniconic like Muslims? Though Islam incorporates vegetal, geometric, calligraphy and even figural motifs in non religious contexts. I’m curious if Druze were crafty or if their time was mostly dedicated to farming and community more so than the arts?
No we don't have a problem with pictures.
We are very different to Muslims in general
Reminder that there is NOTHING Islamic about the Druze. This video is full of misinformation, just like any other. The Druze is mostly influenced by the ancient Greek philosophers. The Druze only resorted to hide behind Islam to convince Muslims they are one of them so they avoid persecution and getting killed. But among each other, the Druze absolutely know they are not Muslim. And Muslims don't consider them that either.
And to answer your question, there is really nothing for or against arts, whatever they are. The teachings don't really focus on these things, i.e. they don't really tackle issues on matters of day-to-day life. They rather address topics about origins, perception of the world/reality around us, levels of existence... and so forth.
But I notice that minorities usually happen to be very artistically talented, and the Druze are no exception. There are many painters, singers, dancers, sculptors, fashion designers... within the community. And nothing is off limits to them. :)
But besides being crafty and all that, agriculture was important to them as well, because it was the most reliable way to stay self-sustained in a closed community for centuries. And farming was the best way for that due to the geographical position of the Druze communities. (Speaking for the Lebanese Druze here)
@@estprogo6564 how do you know all that?
Everytime he says "Druze," I hear "Juice."
Me too. :)
Faszinating Video I always wondered who the Druze are finialy i gained at least some insight!
Also may one ask how you learned arabic?
Never heard of this group before. Well done video! I will subscribe and check out more of your content.
wife of george cloney amal she is druze
i am druz
Very informative. From a genetics point-of-view it seems the Druze population could be an excellent population to focus research on to possibly elucidate the effects of centuries of having a limited genetic pool since, as you stated, there have been no 'converts' for centuries, thus eliminating the possibility of 'contamination' of their genetic pool by outside sources.
There has been some studies on (mainly) Israeli Druze populations since 2008.
You are assuming infidelity in marriage doesn't exist?
@@dewayneweaver5782 I think you misunderstood the topic. We are talking about genetics, you are talking about fidelity in marriage - of course your grandmother cheating with the postman will be part of your genealogical imprint.
@@thatworksmedia Genetics based on presumptions of parentage my Males in a religious sect that supposedly doesn't mix with those outside their sect. Ever read the 1001 Arabian Nights?
This is in fact a very interesting subject. As both a druze and a biologist, I'm very interested in our genetic lineage if we may call it so. There has been some published scientific literature on the subject matter but it remains rather limited. I'm hoping to study hereditary diseases in druze communities as a case-study of disease vulnerability in practically isolated gene-pools.
Also we definitely had some "contamination" introduced at some points in our history but its still an intriguing question.
I honestly think that when the missionary work was halted, adopting reclusiveness and secrecy was but the consequence the fledgling religion faced in its inception. The level of persecution and backlash that the Drooz faced must have forced them to suspend their work, which was meant to be momentary. Still, as time went on, in this self-contained religion, the aspects of secrecy were elevated from a necessity for survival to a religious tenet. It is fascinating to see you describe how their religion evolved, and I am rather excited to see what religious mythology was cooked up in these centuries of secrecy.
You are actually correct. Secrecy became a pillar in our religion as a consequence of persecution and as means for survival. It had to be taken very seriously to the point of making it part of religious doctrine. If you tell you commit a huge sin. That was the way to not fully expose the changes and differences they made to the actual theology and philosophy of the religion. I would love to share with you a summary of the main things they omit from islamic ideology and the main things they added, but unfortunately i can’t. Not to avoid committing a sin, as i am not a believer, but out of respect for my people and ancestors. And the truth is we are a religious minority, and although lebanon is not an islamic country and the country was literally created by the Druze and the Christians, we can not keep up with the muslim
Population, and it is only a matter of time till we experience persecution. So for reasons like this i understand why we can not tell.
All i can tell you is that my ancestors had some guts and they truly make me proud. We are very proud people for a reason.
Excellent overview.
Interesting historical information.
Great video.
Thank you!
Druze Soldiers that I have served with are extremely brave and competent. I hope you continue to exist in the middle of all the chaos.
All Druze are brave !!
It doesn’t matter where there from..
Built in our DNA ✌️✌️
Al hakim was killed never rose to heaven a false christ. Peopel wake up tonthe devils lies seek the lord Jesus Christ he is the only truth of God and the only way to be saved from eternal hell fire and inherit eternal life you have only one life and chance in life to get it rigjt with God before you die. God bless you all.
Hee Wa Tam Suen
That includes your DNA brother, as both your parents are full blooded Druze..
We have a very unique DNA bloodline signature..
Amen 🙏
You should be very proud
There are Druze serving in the Zionist army of Israel..
Beautiful video! Anyway I can find the soundtrack used?
Nice and quite informative video on the Druzes! But I have never seen the word "ignorand" with a -d yet in any dictionary or book yet. Was it a typo for "ignorant" ?
The more of your excellent videos I watch the more I learn about the world’s religions, and the more certain I become in my atheism.
What made you become Atheist because my conscious finds it absolutely impossible to be created from nothing and it hurts me to believe I have no purpose and knowledge, life and power are clearly indicate that some unlimited being is out there and he's the essence of these things and it's only our ignorance which prevent us from knowing the truth and reaching perfection, because the human being has nothing he has to seek knowledge to know how to function indicating his limited nature and the force of good vs the force of evil is another way of proving God and religion ❤️
His videos kinda lead me from atheism to a Taoist and Stoic way of thinking. - Like, don't judge other people's faith, your just human. Debate if necessary and be open towards what your heart and mind think is right - but don't try to change the world to gain the world for yourself, you'll just end up damaging what you love. But yeah, I am sick as well of this protagonist syndrome within religion.
@@Judah132 Religion is misunderstood especially Islam the most complete religion, it's meant to be a personal relationship with God not a program for doing good and bad and either going heaven or hell that's just when the human is so lazy and ignorant he's told to do good and go heaven to just save him from his own anguish
, in fact heaven is just a hotel where you meet God
/Allah (based off Sheikh Panahian's example of heaven). Look for God and call out him by yourself, everytime you meet him it's as if you've never met him don't think of God based on what you've seen from the people read up on your own, the religion is perfect but people aren't I hope this helped 😁❤️
@@SoldieroftheImam313 I know, I have muslim friends but to be honest the Quran didn't speak to me - I learned for myself that heaven and hell are romanticized terms wich describe dimensions wich are already present in this world, for example if a man kills another of his kind, he will be punished by having killed himself - It's true that the atheist doesn't believe in the soul, but this fundamentally means that your existence isn't separate with the universe, in fact your consciousness is the universe being conscious of itself (because the universe isn't final - we're still expanding and I see life as the universe consciously building and shaping itself), so for me life is the entirety of the universe yet safely caged within the eyes of a human. But yeah, peace and blessings. Our bodies are based on the constraints within 3-dimensional spacetime, so the only way we can communicate to the universal self is through art, language, words, music, written history or laws and philosophy - by living inside of reality and having a body. Perhaps love and trust is the 5th dimension, as we shape the world with mutual understanding and respect. - I hope this helped you to understand my perspective as well, those are hypothetical scraps, but it is for me important to always seek new truths to widen our mental horizon. I see many religions as the attempt to fill a bucket with a flowing river wich is an impossible task. But I'm still glad we can talk. Peace and love ^^🤝
@@Judah132 Ok no problem brother I respect your opinion peace ❤️❤️🙏
Got an ancestry test recently and discovered that my maternal haplogroup shares lineage with the Druze. Was very surprised to see their own religious philosophy is very much so in line with my own.
What is your religion?
@@yurichtube1162 I do not follow a single religion, I'm very much so a perennial philosopher. I study many esoteric philosophies/ancient religions including Platonism, Neoplatonism, Aristotleanism, Hermeticism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Gnosticism, Pythagoreanism, Sufism, Zoroastrianism, mystical christianity, etc, many of which the Druze include elements of in their own esoteric philosophy.
@@soularzensei1754 sounds very interesting. Does your family know you are part Druze?
@@yurichtube1162 We do now after our ancestry DNA test, Though I'm the only one who seems to find it cool, my family members don't seem to find it that interesting but they don't study what I study. We are pretty thoroughly European so it is interesting to get a longer timeframe context of where we came from. The Druze part of our family probably goes back over a thousand years, the test just said my maternal haplogroup is shared amongst many of the Druze people.
The blood always calls...need to make a test to see if i have any jewish origins. Some family habits make me think it could be so
You prounction of name is fantastic
What is the best source for the study of the Epistles of Wisdom, as many as are available to read in English? I want to read these books in so far as I can.
In the early days of my job as a rideshare driver in Sydney, I met someone who is apart of the Druze faith and I was just fascinated by it.
More than half the video I was hearing "Jews" instead of Druze.. I hope people don't get confused watching this video haha
Same thing has happned to me, I was confused. Eventhough you activite subtitle opption, you will read it Jews not Druze. Anyway well done, good luck bro.
What is wrong with the Jews? Our reliions all worship the same father God. Grow some hair.
Great video!
I have learned it for the first time . Thanks from Bangladesh
What's up?
@The Researcher thanks dude.
Please make a video on the Bohras.
I would bet that Frank Herbert used Gaybah as an inspiration for Mahdi Paul Atreides' disappearance after the second Dune book.
Great notice
As a Druze individual, I truly enjoyed your video, as i do with most if not all your content.
Although I would like to mention that Eid al-Atha is the same one celebrated by both druze and muslims.
Very nicely explained. Thank you
Al-Darzi was accused of negative acts, and therefore the nickname "Druze" is actually considered negative in the eyes of the Druze, and they prefer to be called "Bnei Maruf" (بني معروف) meaning "sons of grace
According to scholars Moshe Hartl and Professor Shimon Der, a Hittite researcher, it is possible that the Druze are descendants of Hitorim, an ancient Arab tribe that converted in to Judaisem part during the Hasmonean period. The tomb of Nabi Elia in Givat Khaurit, next to a town of Masa'ada in the Golan Heights, which is a sacred Druze site, is an ancient Hitori site.
A group of researchers published a study in 2008 on the DNA structure of the Druze in the Galilee Israel . Their conclusion was that the Druze in the Galilee represent an isolated and unique population that is a genetic relic of the population of the Near East as it was in ancient times, thousands of years ago. Since the Druze religion was founded only about a thousand years ago, the findings of genetic research are integrated with the Druze belief in the antiquity of their religion, which was secretly preserved by its believers for thousands of years, and was only revealed to the world in 1017.
In this study, which discusses the historical aspect of the Druze, twenty-two similarities were found between the beliefs of Jethro (the most important prophet of the Druze) and his sons Kini, their customs and practices, and those of the Druze.
Following this connection, it can be assumed that the Druze in Israel signed a blood relationship with the Jews, who were their allies from the days of Moses 1,300 years BC to the present day.
@
You probably do not know what is going on in the world
A guy meets a girl and with consent they decide to make a blood relationship
They have a common child who binds them both in a blood relationship
Here you have a blood relationship created by consent
الله وبني معروف تقبرني انت شكلك من عظام الرقبي؟
@@abc8257a without marriage LoL 😆😆 !
@@bssb8537
لا يعيق الله الحمقى (السورة 6:12).
وهذا يجلب الموافقة للضحك على أولئك الذين لم يتحسن مصيرهم
How does one form a blood relationship? Please tell us we wanna learn.
Thank you for this video. I have a couple of questions for you or the community here in the comments.
(1) Which other holidays other than Eid Al-Adha exist?
(2) What is the difference between Islam Eid Al-Adha and Druzi Eid Al-Adha? I assumed Druze and Muslims celebrate the same event and follow the same customs.
Thank you for your answer(s) in advance!
Answer to your question:
1) In Israel, we have other holidays than Eid Al Adha. Such as, the 4 days holiday of Eid Al Nabi Shua’yb (our principal prophet Jethro of Midian). In celebration to this holiday, we go to the prophet’s shrine in Tiberias and have some ceremony with the Druze scouts there. I must add that some of the Druzes go to the shrine by foot from the Galilee all way down to Tiberias and some go by car.
Another holiday is Eid Al Nabi Khader, where we also go visit his shrine. Basically, all our other holidays are based on the celebration of our prophets.
2) we don’t have much difference with Muslims in Eid Al Adha as we both celebrate it by visiting families or having some picnics with the family or even traveling. However, we have a big difference in that we don’t celebrate Ramadan or Eid Al Fitter before Eid Al Adha, as we don’t fast or pray like them.
I hope I answered your questions accordingly :)
I’ve only ever heard about the Druze in whispers basically, thanks for the informational video
i am a druze sis and i can answer your questions
@The Researcher oh ok
@@boy-x-8176 Is salvation confined to just Druze? How would someone not Druze get salvation as there is no possibility of converting?
Well done thank u for your information 😊
i had a druze friend in grade 5 he left the school after making a bunch of fights i miss him
Fairly good job. But, the Druze have a lot more faith to cover, in respect to esoteric, philosophy, and oneness of existence with the Divine. As a Druze, I’ve always been taught that we are actually Muwahadeen (otherwise known as oneness with God and the Christos within). We’ve been mislabeled due to the teacher from the beginnings of the faith…
…Moreover, some of our prophets are well reknowned Greek philosophers. And Christ is the soul of Mulayee ‘El Akl (Universal Mind). And in every incarnation, THE FIVE LUMINARIES (Akl, Nafs, Kalama, Thalee, and Sabbaq; the mind, spirit, word, effect and the cause) are very intricate, and connected with the Divine Source..the Creator..God! And The Five Luminaries reincarnate to lead us back upon God’s path as a whole…
…As for us developing souls on earth, while some souls reincarnate, others incarnate meaning with no or very little recollection of past lives, although we know we’ve existed in another life time on earth, and are here to continue our journey back to God, The Divine Source of all creation. For life exists differently on earth as it does in the spiritual realm…we never die!…
…The foundation, and deepest thought of Muwahadeen(Druze), is to reiterate the quote, “Energy can never be destroyed, it can only be changed from one form to another”! We take on lives as of merely changing a shirt (Takamoos..Kamise), and continuing from where we left off. Each earthly life is either a lesson continued, a lesson learned, or a lesson relearned. And there is a karmic debt/balance in every life, and from that we as souls must grow and develop, until we’ve become spiritually enlightened to BE ONE with our Creator again, from whence we came…
Interesting
Interesting to hear it from an actual believer thanks.
Fascinating, and it just shows that no matter how hard the early believers of ANY religion try to adhere to their orthodoxy, divisions, schisms and offshoots are absolutely unavoidable and inevitable due to people's divergent perspectives.
Very interesting , thank you
He's definitely either saying Juice or Jews, but certainly not Druze
Indeed I could hear only those two words too 😁
Juice no doubt 😂
@@mikeny5020 XD
It's Druze
@@jewensonal6970 maybe Djuze
I know alot of Druze in Lebanon and I get different information from each one of them! Its a very secrative religion that nobody knows about. They tell me they cant give me more information on what they believe in. Some Drize tell me they are Muslims and some say Christians, and some say None..
That's very interesting, and confirm many of the points in my video! The Druze seem to be very secretive to this day
Well here is a rational answer that will satisfy you:
We are believers! We are Al Muwahidoun (meaning those who said God is one) that's who we are, people call us Druze (this is not the name we choose for ourselves). Now we believe/follow many things, ideologies, philosophers and prophets in addition to some wise humans with good deeds(like Adam, Abraham..., Reincarnation..., Plato and others..., Hindu and others... and many wise people). As we believe in (not exclusively) Moses, Jesus and Mohammed all equally and read their holy books (tho not literally following them but interpreting and understanding) we like to call ourselves Jews, Christians and Muslims (tho many of the previously mentioned religions don't consider us as such, cuz we don't do/follow/worship just like them). But many of us don't dig so deep and just say we are only Druze (so it's easier for them to identify themselves and makes a stronger sense of belonging). So it's not like other religions where calling yourself a Muslim would mean you're not a Jew or a Christian or any other thing and would make you belong to one side in opposed to the others. In Syria we generally say that we are "ALSO" Muslims, and some consider us as such in order to bring peace and lower the differences within the country und unite us as one. But we don't pray or do Ramadan or go as pilgrims to Mekka! (What's enough to qualify us to be none Muslims if not infidels in the eyes of the extremists) we have a totally different interpretation to what those ways of praying are and how the should be done (if at all).
And don't listen to those who say we only have one prophet and we are a religion ourselves (we are more than that, those ppl are the Jouhaal aka. the religiously uneducated) they are giving something to hold onto and believe in (but never the absolute truth) in order to achieve stability in the community, as hiding and not telling everything would make a riot in the community against the wise aka. Ukaal people, cuz humans needs something to believe in and to help them define themselves. We are more like a doctrine than a religion in itself! I wouldn't call us a religion!
@@hazemdarwish8089 Thats awsome, I love it! Thank you so much for making me understand..
Can someone convert to becoming a Druze? if not then do they think they are the only ones entering heaven?
Do you think Druze would be more open about their beliefs if the Muslim world were not so harsh on other religions? I am a Muslim myself but we do have alot of peoblems in my community like accepting others even though things are better today.
@@faya6974
No unfortunately no one can convert into Druze, the religious leaders closed the door for joining the faith nearly a thousand years ago, and kept it that way. One must be born to both Druze parents to be a Druze. In the modern times, intermarriages started to haben and although the children are not considered Druze (half Druze is no Druze) there were some exception (these are becoming a bit more common) these cases are mostly of powerful and rich Druze men who marry foreigner women (mostly western and in some cases middle eastern) society can't stand against them and opposed them easily as they are important members, so they were party accepted. And just as the whole middle east, a lot of Druze in the modern times wish to be more like the west, so they would accept those half Druze and let them integrate in community and even allow them to marry thier Druze girls (who should have only married real Druze) that's the only way, foreigner are coming into the faith (although it's not a way exactly, cuz one needs to be born that way) it also applies to women but it's not that accepted as when men do it. After a couple of generations the society might forget.
As for entering heaven, I'm not that sure about it, I don't think they think about others that much. I've heard so once or twice, but it was not because the others have a different religion or beliefs, it was mainly explained as they haven't understand their religion fully and only followed the words of their holy book literally without thinking about the meaning or the goal of the sentences, and thus not receiving the msg of God, or being busy by following traditions and copying certain behaviors insteade of investing the time in building a faith/connection in God and bring a good human. So in the summary we say they are doing it (religion/believing) wrongly (for example if you're late 30min for prayer it's okay, cuz prayer is about worshipping and not timing, if you also do prayer as just any other task it's not prayer any more, you need to deeply be connecting with God and praying, not only repeating words. And if you curse and at some one and behave badly after an hour, then it's all wasted. That was an example only), and that's why they may not enter heaven, but it's up to them and God (not our decision :)) although one shall know opinions on this matter differ a lot, and only old religious ppl can answer exactly (some ppl with big hatred towards a group would easily start to say they are going to go hell)
As for acceptance of other people if the arabic/islamic world was not so harsh and violent: DEFINITELY THINGS WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER, I and we as Druze have a lot friends of all kinds (religion and enthicities) a part of us is more conservative and would reject outsider, but it's only because of that violent and harsh history. Our traditions are always to welcome the guest no matter who he are and never to ask him a question or who is he or why did he visit us or what is he up to until he sattle down, eat and drink and relax (Jew, muslim, Christian or whatever). See (in my opinion) we only isolated our selves because we were at danger everywhere, none welcomed us, and as different sects/religions treated us differently, the cautious level (sometimes also hatred) towards other groups vary very much per group. I say it sadly, but it's much much more accepted if a Druze married a Christian than if a Druze married a Muslim! And in by Muslims it also vary between sects, obviously those who were more aggressive toward us are the least favourite and mostly rejected, those who are more alike and friendly are more accepted.
At the end I would say that after globalisation, things started to change very quickly, so Druze are becoming very individuelle (still United by ethnic, traditions, history and alot more). With each being different than the mainstream, it's pretty hard to guess if a Druze is open-minded or conservative unless you talk to them (and also until they learn about you. The big majority are nice and welcoming. Interest in religion is also very low, many know nothing but traditions and what they have heard from grandparents, and many more believe in wrong rumours and myths and construct their own beliefs thinking they are true, so in order to obtain the truth one must really find an honest religious man welling to share some info with you, as most Druze don't have a clue what they are talking about (unfortunately a middle eastern mentality would never allow them to say "I don't know the answer" they will instead talk and give you very possibly wrong info )
@@hazemdarwish8089 I am a Sunni Muslim from Saudi Arabia, but I relate to alot of what you said about Druze. Not exactly but generally speaking as im different than most Muslims with how I think. I have always been interested in religious minorities in the Middle East but cant get enough information. Wish one day they can play a big part in our society. Thank you for sharing :)
At last I have heard a very clear explanation for the Druze beliefs
What is that intro song??? It sounds amazing! Great video btw