Al-Mu'akkar al-Akbar (the Ultimate Mind)
Supreme Being, Creator
Supreme deity
Place of Origin: Cairo, Fatimid Caliphate (present-day Egypt)
Origin Date: Early 11th century (circa 1017-1018 CE)
Domain: The entire universe and all aspects of existence.
Symbols: The Druze star (often depicted with five colors) is a symbol of their faith, but it does not specifically represent Al-Mu'akkar al-Akbar.
Attributes: Transcendence, unity, wisdom, and the ultimate source of all existence.
Epithets: None specifically associated with Al-Mu'akkar al-Akbar.
Equivalents: There are no direct equivalents in other religions, as the concept is unique to the Druze faith.
Religion: Druze faith
Sacred Texts: Epistles of Wisdom (Rasa'il al-Hikma)
Iconography: Al-Mu'akkar al-Akbar is not depicted in art or sculpture, as the Druze faith emphasizes the transcendence and incomprehensibility of God.
Relations: Central to the Druze faith, with historical figures like Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah seen as manifestations of divine wisdom.
Description
Al-Mu'akkar al-Akbar is the central concept of God in the Druze faith, emphasizing the unity and transcendence of the divine. The Druze believe in a single, transcendent God who is beyond all human comprehension and anthropomorphic representations. This belief is central to their monotheistic theology and esoteric practices.
Narratives
The Druze faith's foundational texts, the Epistles of Wisdom (Rasa'il al-Hikma), elaborate on the nature of Al-Mu'akkar al-Akbar and the spiritual journey of the soul towards unity with the divine.
Worship Practices
The Druze do not have elaborate rituals or temples for worship. Their practices are largely esoteric and reserved for initiated members known as the "Uqqal" (the Knowledgeable Ones). Worship involves study, meditation, and adherence to ethical principles.