They are organised into six books first compiled by one of the greatest druze sages abdallah altanukhi in 1479 ad. Druze in different states can have radically different lifestyles. Melito, who lived in the second century ad, said that the book was considered canonical by jews and christians, 1 and that. Druse definition and meaning collins english dictionary. The druze holy book, known as the epistles of wisdom rasa. Druze 4 religious leaders were killed, followed by that of aleppo. This book also provides valuable demographic data on the druze in the region. Copy of the edict that appeared in the mosques about the occultation of our lord, the iman alhakim. In the folds of secrecy, the holy book of the druze, religion, 48. Druze simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Word of god, which is a literal translation of lhassa, the. Use highlighting, underlining, and take notes while you study the bible.
Druze epistles of wisdom pdf english the epistles of wisdom or rasail alhikma arabic. If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the faq by clicking the link above. The druze refer to themselves as ahl altawhid or almuwahhidun which means the people of monotheism. The epistles of wisdom or rasail alhikma is a corpus of sacred texts and pastoral letters by teachers of the druze faith, which has currently close to a million faithful, mainly in lebanon. The name druze probably comes from darazi, a preacher who was expelled from the druze movement, because he preached that alhakim was.
One of the druze s holy books is called the hikma book or the book of wisdom, largely compiled by a mysterious figure called almuqtana. Other ancient druze writings include the rasail alhind epistles of india and the previously lost or hidden manuscripts such as almunfarid bidhatihi and alsharia alruhaniyya as well as others including didactic and polemic treatises. They are said to have descended from jethro, the priest of midian who was moses fatherinlaw exodus 18. Druze quotes epistles of wisdom sacred books for druzes in the book the druze faith by sami nassib makarim shows parts of the epistles of wisdom protect yourselves from ignorance with the help of the knowledge of the unity of our lord hamza ibn ali i. The druze scripture is called the epistles of wisdom, which is a collection of pastor letters and teachings of historic druze leaders. What you see in this book is of course a rather sanitized portrayal of the faith, but it is still a good book. The druze faith is a monotheistic and abrahamic religion based on the teachings of plato, aristotle, socrates, akhenaten, hamza, and al hakim. May 27, 2015 the epistles of wisdom is the foundational text of the druze faith alongside supplemental texts such as the epistles of india. According to oral traditions there were originally twentyfour books. Keep in mind that only those who choose to dedicate themselves for a lifetime of religious studies are those who are taught about the religion.
This is a collection of books, of which the first six are most commonly used. Although the druze religious books describe addarazi as the insolent. Book of wisdom simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Sep 15, 2016 the epistles of wisdom or rasail alhikma is a corpus of sacred texts and pastoral letters by teachers of the druze faith, which has currently close to a million faithful, mainly in lebanon. A translation into english from the arabic version of the original. They denounce materialism, especially materialism relative to religion. However, the rest of the world tends to refer to them as druze or druse, a name which some believe was derived from an early preacher muhammad aldarazi. The druze religion is associated with an ethnic group living in the near east. The druze claim that an understanding of these is necessary, but that their al. This historymaking book, published with the approval of the shaykh alakl, spiritual leader of the worlds druze community of one million for the first time lifts the official veil of secrecy surrounding this esoteric branch of ismaili shiite islam. Mar 25, 2019 the druze speak mainly arabicthey have, however, a distinct, dialectthey use the uvular qaf and stress on theth druze in lebanon speak arabic as.
This book was recommended to me by my relatives in lebanon as the most accurate and well researched of all the books regarding the druze. This should aid english readers who would like to suggest literature for their friends who read arabic. Esoteric beliefs found an early foothold in western civilization through the ancient greek gnostics. As far as i am aware this is the first complete translation of a druze epistleor at least this one in. As in the case of determining the racial origins of the druze people, so in the case of ascertaining the origin of their religion, all kinds of theories, some curious and amusing, others fantastic and naive, have been proposed. Their religious texts are known collectively as kitab al hikma, the book of wisdom. By different authors at different times the druze religion. The little book of romanian wisdom english and romanian. Their holy book, known as the book of wisdom, is not easily. The druze holy book, known as the epistles of wisdom ras a.
My family is druze but i never knew what the faith was about having grown up going to a southern babtist church. Druze sacred texts include the quran and the kitab al hikma epistles of wisdom. Epistles of wisdom wikisource, the free online library. The druze faith is a monotheistic and abrahamic religion based on the teachings of hamza ibnali ibnahmad and alhakim biamr allah, and greek philosophers such as plato and aristotle. As a result, the faith went underground in hope of survival, as those captured were either forced to renounce their faith or be killed. The druze muwahhidun an introduction by hammud quteish. They also believe in the wisdom of classical greek philosophers such as plato. When alnajjars book was translated into english, makarem had to write another refutation, entitled the druze faith. It describes what is available in arabic on this web site. Another wellknown feature of the druze religion is a fervent belief in humanonly reincarnation for all the members of the community. Email citation provides a brief history of the druze faith, traditions, and society and a wealth of primary and secondary sources on the druzes history and their political significance in the middle east. They hold the quran to be sacred, but look upon it as an outer shell, holding an inner, esoteric meaning. Druze believe in prophets relative to the old testament, jesus and muhammad. The tawhid religion has derived a good deal of its wisdom and philosophy from greek culture, sufism and indian wisdom.
Melito, who lived in the second century ad, said that the book was considered canonical by jews and christians, and that na. The epistles of wisdom are also referred to as the kitab alhikma book of wisdom and alhikma alsharifa. Their holy book, known as the book of wisdom, is not easily accessible nor is it comprehensible to. Original translation of a druze epistle religious forums. A number of books and articles have been written about the druze, one of the most. The book of wisdom, or the wisdom of solomon, is a jewish work written in greek and most likely composed in alexandria, egypt. The little book of romanian wisdom english and romanian edition. A history of the druzes begins with an introduction to the early history of the druzes, focusing on the religious, political, and social features that fostered the druze community as a religious minority with its own particular characteristics, facilitating an understanding of the druzes today. Youll get this book and many others when you join bible gateway plus.
It is a collection of books, of which the first six are most commonly used. The druze are spread in numerous countries of the world. The little book of romanian wisdom english and romanian edition doroftei, diana, cross, matthew k. This evidence refutes the claims of certain books, namely, that the druze are of phoenician or greek or french origin. Druze originated in egypt at the end of the 10th century. Indeed, at first glance the content seems to be in clear breach of the druze doctrine. One of the druzes holy books is called the hikma book or the book of wisdom, largely compiled by a mysterious figure called almuqtana. Regular druze know minimal about their religion barely enough for them to practice anything.
This page is an aid for our english readers who do not know the arabic language. The druze faith is said to abide by islamic principles, but they tend to be separatist in their treatment of druze hood, and their religion differs from mainstream islam on a number of fundamental points. The epistles of wisdom february 25, 2007 arabic the first volume. The druze practice a religion related to islam and christianity but more based on philosophy.
Much wisdom that has been lost and would add a lot of value to a generation whose values have tanked to an all time low in our country. Arabic language books, messages, stories, and topics. Druze believe on one god monotheism and reincarnation. Feb 03, 2008 druze have their own holy book which is the book of wisdom.
History druze religion has its origins in the second decade of the 11th century, when aldarazi and hamzah ibn ali declared the sixth fatimid caliph to be the incarnation of the godhead. The druze scripture is the rasail alhikmah epistles of wisdom, most of which was composed by hamzahs successor, baha aldin almuqtana. Druze sacred texts include the kitab al hikma epistles of wisdom. Hardcover verified purchase this is a superb book about the druze faith written by a well known scholar and professor sami nasib makarem. Druze to take hikma wisdom from any lamp or candle they chose. Druze have their own holy book which is the book of wisdom. It has been grouped among the septuagint, or the seven wisdom books of the bible. The epistles of wisdom is the foundational text of the druze faith. This book is considered secret and only religious sages. As far as i am aware this is the first complete translation of a druze epistleor at least this one in particularinto the english language. The druze faith is a monotheistic and abrahamic religion based on the teachings of high islamic figures like hamza ibnali ibnahmad and alhakim biamr allah, and greek philosophers such as plato and aristotle. The epistles of wisdom or rasail alhikmah is a corpus of sacred texts and pastoral letters by teachers of the druze faith. Druze and the chouf mountains ali karim travelog middle east. The origins of the druze people and religion by philip khuri.
High has granted him in his book about you, notably the right to dispose of. The epistles of wisdom were written in the arabic language and contain one hundred and eleven epistles in total. Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples log in dictionary. The druze is a small religious group primarily found in the middle eastern countries of syria, lebanon and israel. Druze hold the quran to be sacred, but look upon it as an outer shell, holding an inner, esoteric meaning. Dated from qada 411 february 16 to march 18, 1021, this piece was written a few days after the disappearance of alhakim, 27 sawwal 411 february 1021. The druze faith incorporates elements of gnosticism, neoplatonism. Do the druze use any other texts along with the epistles of. Although the druze religious books describe addarazi as the insolent one and as the.
It has been grouped among the septuagint, or the seven wisdom books of the bible a priest named st. Thus, their places of worship are usually very modest, and their religious figures ajawid lead very modest lifestyles. The druzes have a distinct set of beliefs and practices, and their manuscripts, kutub alhikma wisdom books, are a collection of epistles and correspondence between luminaries. Enrich your faith and grow in spiritual maturity with the incredible bible study and devotional books listed below. The book of wisdom druze the majority of the druze lack this comfort. It is one of the seven sapiential or wisdom books of the septuagint old testament, which includes job, psalms, proverbs, ecclesiastes, song of solomon song of songs, and sirach. The book of wisdom, often referred to simply as wisdom or the book of the wisdom of solomon, is one of the deuterocanonical books of the bible. The druze challenge of survival opinion the harvard crimson. While you are on a holy land tour, it is an amazing opportunity to meet israeli druze to learn about the fascinating druze lifestyle. Druze is a monotheistic religion and are often referred to as people of monotheism. The druze challenge of survival opinion the harvard. Since then, other esoteric beliefs have been trickling in from all over world, but one of them that has evaded our understanding until recent times are those of the druze.
Sami makarem has published sections of the works in english with commentary from a druze compendium. The book of wisdom also called wisdom of solomon or just wisdom is one of the books of the old testament. Their religious texts are known collectively as kitab al hikma the book of wisdom. The full druze canon or druze scripture includes the old testament, the new testament, the quran and philosophical works by plato and those influenced by socrates among works from other religions and philosophers. The text, unrevealable to druze nonbelievers or foreigners, is shrouded in a collective pact to keep quiet.