The Druze identify themselves as a
madhhab - just as there is a Ja3farî
madhhab, Usûlî
madhhab, etc. of Twelver Shi3a, the two Zaydi Shî3a
madhâhib, the Ibâdî Khârijî
madhhab of Oman & Tunisia or the "four living
madhâhib" of Sunni Islam.
The Druze are known locally as the People of
Ma3rif, a double entendre because the word can mean "Wisdom" as well as "Kindness/Parity". The Druze are famous for their kind, given, open and warm nature and
always repay any debt scrupulously.
The only thing unusual about them, Islamically speaking, is that they reserve greater teachings under a veil of secrecy and they do not accept converts (after 1021 AD, actually!). The religiously-minded (3Uqqil) study the secret teachings and are very strict about veiling, both men and women - they wear a long, white veil (which they call the
mankil or "napkin") over a white cap. The elder 3Uqqil provide spiritual leadership and such like Imams do.
Druze political leadership comes from the non-3Uqqil, thus ensuring a balance of power.
format_quote Originally Posted by
north_malaysian
Shi'i? They are Shiites? Yikes!!!
Yikes? What do you mean,
yikes? The Shi3a are Muslim, too.
However, the Druze do not engage in many Twelver Shi3a practices because they are from a reformist Fâtimid (Ismaili)
da3wa - for example, there aren't any Druze
malangs.