What is the Difference Between Druze and Islam?

Druze and Islam are two distinct religions, although the Druze faith was influenced by Islam. The main differences between Druze and Islam include:

1. Origins: The Druze faith was founded in the early 11th century as a breakaway branch of Isma'ili Islam, while Islam is a major world religion with over 1.6 billion followers.
2. Beliefs: The Druze faith is not considered Islamic by Muslims. The Druze believe in reincarnation and do not accept converts to their faith, while Islam does not believe in reincarnation and allows for conversions.
3. Rituals: The Druze have stripped away the ritualism of Islam, such as the Hajj, obligatory prayers, and fasting. They believe that God is not above existence or outside the world, but that God is the whole of existence itself.
4. Leadership: The Druze religion portrays their leader as God, whom they pray to and believe will reemerge at the end of times. In contrast, Islam believes in one God and that Muhammad was the last prophet of God.
5. Marriage and Divorce: Marriage outside the Druze faith is rare and strongly discouraged, while Islam allows for divorce and polygamy.
6. Geographical Distribution: The Druze faith is primarily found in the Levant region, with around one million Druze residing in Jordan, Israel, Syria, and Lebanon.
7. Persecution: The Druze have historically faced persecution from different Muslim regimes, including massacres, demolishing of Druze prayer houses, and forced conversion to Islam.

In summary, the Druze faith is an independent religion with distinct beliefs and practices that have been influenced by Islam. However, it is not considered a branch or sect of Islam and has its unique characteristics.

Comparative Table: Druze vs Islam

The Druze and Islam are two distinct religions with some similarities. Here is a table outlining the differences between them:

Druze and Islam both believe in one God, whom they call 'Allah'. However, the Druze faith is considered separate from Islam and is not regarded as Islamic by Muslims. The Druze emphasize the oneness of God and the inseparable complex nature of the universe and God.