Mysterious Ways Trivia Quiz

Answer: Islam

The idea behind the Druze religion came from discourses between Muhammad bin Ismail Nashtakin ad-Darazī, often referred to as "the insolent one", and Hamza bin Ali, the first missionary of the religion. While records from this time period are not complete, it is clear that the two knew each other and considered themselves rivals. From ad-Darazī's name came the name of the religion, Druze.

Both Muhammad ad-Darazī and Hamza bin Ali were raised as Ismaili Muslims, however, through their discourses they reached an enlightenment about a new religion. Since ad-Darazī is generally not seen in a favourable light, this is probably why opponents to the Druze religion sought to demean it by naming it after him.

Answer: The People of Monotheism

The Arabic word "tawhid" refers to unity, specifically of God. Therefore, the Druze believe themselves to be the people who believe in the unitarian existence of God, having a belief in the one alone and denying all other beliefs for themselves. Another term that the Druze refer to themselves as is "Al-Muwahhidun" which has a similar meaning to "Ahl al-Tawhid".

Answer: No

The Druze religion is closed to new converts. In order to be a Druze, one has to be born to two Druze parents. If a Druze marries outside of their religion, something that is frowned upon and largely forbidden, their children are not considered a part of the Druze faith.

The period where conversions into the faith were allowed was called the "Divine Call" and occurred between the years 1017 and 1043. Though there were two interruptions, this was the time that people were allowed to enter into the Druze teachings. The Druze believe that there will be a second Divine Call when Caliph Al-Hakim's soul will return to Earth and usher in a Golden Age.

Answer: Lebanon

Jabaal al-Druze was named for the significant Druze population that has been living there since around the 11th century. The Tanoukhiyoun tribes that were living there converted en-masse to the Druze religion and became a backbone of the faith. Jabaal al-Druze is a part of Mount Lebanon, a range that is in Lebanon and runs north-south through the country.

The mountains were historically used for their mighty cedar trees. The Cedars of God World Heritage Site was created to protect the remaining trees.

Answer: Jethro

A central figure in the Druze faith is Nabi Shu'ayb, which is traditionally seen as Jethro from the Bible. He was the father-in-law of Moses and the person who took Moses in when he was fleeing from Egypt after Moses had murdered the Egyptian taskmaster that was beating a Jew. He is seen as the spiritual founder of the Druze religion, even though he was not a contemporary at the time that the faith was started. His tomb is said to be near the Sea of the Galilee in Israel and many Druze make a pilgrimage there yearly.

All of the quoted names in the questions were names of songs by the band Jethro Tull.

Answer: 7

While the Druze may have come from the Muslim faith, they totally reject the Five Pillars of Islam. On the other hand, while they revere some of the ancient Jews as prophets, they do not follow the Ten Commandments. On the other hand, they do have their seven precepts of faith, which form a basis for the religion:
1. Honesty
2. Mutual helpfulness
3. Belief in other religions
4. Distancing one's self from evil and Iqbal, the Devil
5. Accepting the oneness of God
6. Acceptance of God's will and acts
7. Submission to God's will at all times

Answer: Star

The Druze star represents the "Five Limits" which make humans special and the life of moderation that the Druze try to live. Arranged on the star, in a clockwise manner, the top branch is green and it represents intelligence, the next one is red representing the soul, then yellow for the Word, or logic. Blue comes next and it represents the past or the first creation of intellect, and finally white which represents the future or the Divine Presence.

Answer: Khalwat

The Druze house of worship is called a khalwat or a khalwa. The Khalwat al-Bayada, located in Lebanon, is the primary place of worship for all Druze. The word 'bayada' refers to 'white', essentially emphasizing the purity of the place. It was built in the place where Muhammad bin Ismail Nashtakin ad-Darazi is supposed to have made camp during the Druze call, a time period in the 11th century.

It offers religious retreats and teachings for all who wish to learn.

Answer: Yes

One of the main spiritual beliefs is that the spirit of mankind must be paired with a body, thus, at the moment of death, the spirit immediately transfers over to another body. The spirit can only be transferred to another human, never any other living being. Only the spirit of God is unitarian and does not have a body.

The idea of reincarnation is one of the main beliefs of the Druze. They also believe that heaven and hell are earthly qualities of spirit, heaven being fulfillment, happiness, and the opportunity to reunite with the Creator, whereas hell is bitterness, loneliness, and getting out of the cycle of rebirth.

Answer: Venezuela

The Druze are still mainly located in the Middle East, with the majority residing in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. Outside of the Middle East, however, there is a very large Druze population in Venezuela which, in 2020, was estimated to have about 60,000 individuals. Other than there, many Druze emigrated to the United States and to Canada, with a few in Australia and Germany as well.

The Druze tend to be fiercely loyal to the country they reside in and also to their families, some of which can be very large.