The Unitarians are pure Arabs who have preserved the purity of Arab blood and their origins by restricting marriage among themselves. They are a conservative society that inherits beautiful and authentic customs and traditions. Their title, “Banu Maarouf,” means that they are people of values, virtues, and good deeds such as generosity, honesty, integrity, chivalry, courage, magnanimity, aiding the distressed, helping the needy, and other noble acts. Among the most important traits that the majority of them possess and which are clearly manifested in them, are the following:
– Honesty: This is the primary religious duty and a symbol of goodness. The word “I said” among Unitarians in general, and especially among their clergy, is a binding proof, like an agreement or a signed deed guaranteed by witnesses. There is no need for swearing or writing contracts for many of them. Buying and selling operations still take place in some villages solely through words and promises. In correspondence with the commitment to one's word in social dealings, there is a commitment to positions and principles on the political level.
– Courage: This is a near-universal trait among Unitarians, derived from their natural mountainous environment and their socio-cultural environment. In their belief, life is finite: "He who is born for nine months does not die at ten," and "He who has an allotted time will not be killed by hardship." Their courage appears in many fields, most importantly in wars of defense of self, dignity, and land. It has been praised by many, such as the leader Ibrahim Pasha the Egyptian, who said that he fought many nations "and never saw a group stronger in spirit or firmer in position than the Druze."
– Generosity: Like courage, this is a near-universal trait among Unitarians. Among its manifestations are hospitality, open homes, the spread table, feeding the hungry, and sheltering strangers. One of the most prominent examples associated with humanity and patriotism is the hosting by the Unitarians of Jabal al-Arab in Syria during the Great War of a number of needy people from various regions and sects equivalent to half their own population, at a time when bread was scarce, its price was high, and a third of the population of Mount Lebanon died of hunger. The hosting of their brothers by the Unitarians of Mount Lebanon is documented in history in many regions during critical periods. Their generosity has been praised by many, including the Prince of Poets, Ahmed Shawqi, who said of them and their defense of the homeland the following:
But they are protectors and hosts of guests, like the spring of purity, rough yet refined.
– Tolerance: Aspects of this include pardoning crimes and insults, and waiving rights, which is easy for Unitarians once the necessary courtesies are offered. There is also religious tolerance, which is evident in their coexistence and maintaining the best relations with members of other sects and denominations, in addition to political tolerance, which was strengthened by the absence of any special political project of their own when they were at the peak of their glory and power, and by the absence of any political party of their own when sectarian and denominational parties multiplied in Lebanon.
– Pride and Dignity: Muhammad Kurd Ali says in his discussion of the Unitarians: “They have not lost their Arab origins, and their nature is pride and dignity. They refrain from everything that touches dignity and distance themselves from immoral and illegal acts, even if it were a path to wealth and influence. They prefer death over insult and humiliation. They consider begging a disgrace; therefore, their poor endure the harshest conditions of need, poverty, and destitution and do not hold out their hand to beg.”
The Unitarian woman is distinguished by honor, chastity, virtue, and modest dress. We consider her primary mission to be proper upbringing, and she must be encouraged to commit to this mission.
