“Les Druzes” (The Druze) by historian and researcher Wissam H. Halawi is one of the most recent notable publications in the “Que sais-je?” series. The long-established edition, which was officially published on November 19, 2025 in French by the French University Publishing House (PUF).The book extends over 128 pages** in line with the strict standard size of the series, through which the author provides a condensed and updated historical and knowledge summary about the Druze sect, which is classified as one of the most mysterious esoteric societies in the Islamic world.The book focuses on presenting a new approach to the cultural and political history of the Druze, going beyond traditional anthropological studies or just focusing theoretically on their sacred text, the “Messages of Wisdom.” The author, who is a professor of the social and cultural history of Islam at the University of Lausanne, examines the historical and social roots of the emergence of the movement in Fatimid Cairo during the eleventh century AD, then traces its spread and rural stability in the Levant. It also sheds light on the formation of their school of jurisprudenceAnd private law, reviewing the mechanisms and paths of transferring religious knowledge to them.
The book raises fundamental questions and answers them in a sober, scientific manner, especially with regard to the nature of the relationships that link Druze doctrine and jurisprudence to both Sunni and Shiite Islam, as well as the positions of the Druze community throughout history towards the central authorities and institutions of government. The author also addresses the unique legislative characteristics within the sect, such as the prohibition of polygamy and the prohibition of arbitrary divorce or mixed marriage, discussing the historical foundations.This societal differentiation comes at the intersection of historical and legal sources.
