GEÇMİŞTEN GÜNÜMÜZE DÜRZİLİK

Abstract

The Druze is an esoteric-secret movement which mainly emerged from Shiite-Ismailite thought and systematized its teachings around the holy personality of al-Hâkim bi-Amr Allâh, the well-konwn Fatimid caliph. The emergence of Druze, the cult of al-Hâkim, the formative period of Druze mission, the activities of Druze propagators (du‘ât), their relationship with each other are all obscure matters which have been discussed by the researchers and interpreted in different ways. Apart from the esoteric nature of Druze teaching and religious texts that paved the way for the controversial perceptions, the ideologica-sectarian approach which is generally seen in the studies on the Druze make difficult to put the real identity of the sect. Therefore, the more detailed and academic studies on the history and teaching of Druze are needed. This article aims to shed light, in this sense, on the history and teaching of Druze sect.