All religions have holy places that enjoy a special status different from other places. It is customary for the followers of each religion to establish structures, houses of worship, and rituals in these places to perform their religious practices. Believers feel close to God in these places, where they turn to Him and beseech Him, asking Him to bestow upon them His favor and blessings, or expressing their remorse for the sins and transgressions they have committed, seeking His forgiveness.
Holy Places in the Druze Monotheistic Faith
In the Druze Monotheistic faith, a place does not derive its sanctity from itself, but rather from the religious figure who worked there, was associated with it, or is buried there. According to the Monotheistic faith, God's blessing permeates the places where prophets, messengers, and righteous saints—whom the Creator has blessed and distinguished from the rest of His creation—lived or were buried.
Importance of Holy Places
Holy places have great importance in the life of a Druze believer, as they help strengthen their faith and purify their soul. However, we must remember that drawing close to God is not a physical, material approach, but a psychological one; the value and status of the physical place are symbolic and originate from the blessing and spiritual energy associated with the holy figure to whom it is linked.
The Spiritual Influence of Holy Places
Holy places possess an inherent spiritual power that can influence the mood and soul of the Druze believer. This power is manifested in what is called "sensing," an expression that reflects the internal feeling that overcomes a Druze person regarding the presence of God while visiting one of the holy places or shrines.
There are about 130 holy places and shrines for the Druze throughout the Middle East, including 70 in Palestine, 40 in Lebanon, 16 in Syria, and one in Jordan. These holy places and shrines are located within villages, on mountain tops, in caves, and near water springs and wells.
