Selections from the Druze Sacred Teachings, Part 1 of 2

The core of the Druze faith includes truthfulness and honesty in all circumstances, a belief in the oneness of God, and the importance of self-reflection and accountability before God at all times.

Today, it is an honor to present excerpts from the Druze sacred writings as found in the book “Origins of the Druze People and Religion,” by Philip K. Hitti.

AL-ḤĀKIM’S ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE USE OF WINE

“In the name of Allah, the compassionate, the merciful.

[…] Declare a general prohibition for everybody against the use of intoxicating liquor, and to deny them the right of insisting upon the drinking of intoxicating liquor which is the center of all sorts of evil and the conductor to all kinds of detestable and abhorrent acts.

The Commander of the Believers has therefore ordained, expecting from Allah success, that this edict be written so that it be read to the privileged classes as well as to the common people, whether they be high in rank or low, making illegal the use of any kind of intoxicating liquor, no matter what its brand, name, color or taste may be (liquor being used here to include every kind of drink, whether it be intoxicating in large or in small quantities), and prohibiting all resort to the sayings and opinions justifying its use together with all interpretations and excuses which the rabble hold fast to; for the Commander of the Believers has declared all that illegal, after having heard all things connected with it. He has prohibited the use of intoxicating liquor, its purchase, storage, manufacture, and extraction to the end that the whole empire may be purified of its evil effects.”

EXCERPT FROM THE CHARTER FOUND POSTED ON THE WALLS OF THE MOSQUES ON THE OCCASION OF THE DISAPPEARANCE OF OUR LORD AL-IMĀM AL-ḤĀKIM

“[…] O you people! The word of Allah (may He remain high!) is the most eloquent preacher, and what is clear from this sermon to you is your poverty and your need for the pardon of Allah (may He remain high!) and the pardon of His friend, the Commander of the Believers, upon whom Allah’s peace is more abundant than upon you. Oblivion leads to negligence, negligence leads to rebellion, and rebellion leads to perdition. For Allah (may His name remain blessed and high!) has said: ‘But if they, having wronged themselves had come to thee asking Allah’s forgiveness, and if the Apostle had asked forgiveness for them, they would surely have found Allah a forgiving and merciful one.’ The greatest of all sayers [Allah] has also said: ‘Excepting those who shall repent and believe and do righteous works,’ ‘for verily Allah loves those who seek His indulgence and loves those who wish to purify themselves.’ Allah (may He remain blessed and high!) has moreover said: ‘And when my worshipers ask thee concerning me, [say] I am [a short distance] unto them, ready to answer the supplication of him that calls, when he calls unto me.’”