QUESTION:
I am reaching out to seek your expertise and guidance on understanding the various subsets within Islam. I am eager to learn more about the different sects, their beliefs, practices, and historical contexts. Additionally, I would appreciate your insights on the distinguishing features of each sect and any recommendations you might have on which sect might align best with certain values or perspectives.
ANSWER:
The following narration will be used to commence this explanation:
أخبرنا أبو العباس قاسم بن القاسم السياري بمرو ثنا أبو الموجه حدثنا أبو عمار: ثنا الفضل بن موسى عن محمد بن عمرو عن أبي سلمة عن أبي هريرة: أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: افترقت اليهود على إحدى و سبعين فرقة أو اثنتين و سبعين فرقة و النصارى مثل ذلك و تفترق أمتي على ثلاث و سبعين فرقة (المستدرك)
“Hadrat Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: ‘The Jews were divided into 71 or 72 sects, as similar was the case with the Christians. My Ummah will be divided into 73 sects.”
[Al-Mustadrak]
After Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam left this world, many differences arose amongst the Ummah. Within a short period of time, the Aqeedah (religious creed, belief) of some who were misled changed from the Haqq (truth), and in turn they misguided others. As a result, different groups were formed. Those which had differences amongst themselves, branched out into several other groups. The prophecy of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam manifested. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam clearly mentioned that 72 of these sects will go to Jahannam, whilst one will be admitted to paradise. The successful group will be the one who follows the Jama’ah. This group is the followers of Ahle-Sunnah Wal-Jama’ah, which will be explained further below.
Hereunder are some of the deviated groups:
1. Shias:
Background:
The entire ummah was united until the beginning of the caliphate of Hadrat Uthmaan Radiallahu Anhu. Disunity then crept in gradually. One of those who were responsible for its proliferation was a Jewish scholar by the name of ‛Abdullāh ibn Saba’. Initially he claimed that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam will return to this world, but the people of the Hijaz, Syria and Iraq paid no attention whatsoever to this claim. He then went to Egypt where he began making similar statements, and also started holding extreme sentiments about Hadrat Ali Radiyallāhu Anhu. He instilled in the minds of people that Hadrat ‛Alī Radiallāhu Anhu was eligible for the caliphate but was deprived of this right. He then initiated many complaints against Hadrat ‛Uthmān Radiallāhu Anhu until the latter was oppressively martyred. The movement of the Jewish ‛Abdullāh ibn Saba’ on one hand went to extremes in its love for Hadrat ‛Alī Radiallāhu ‛Anhu, and bitter hatred towards Hadrat Mu‛āwiyah Radiallāhu ‛Anhu on the other. Together with this, the view was propounded that the children of Hadrat ‛Alī Radiyallāhu ‛Anhu are eligible for the caliphate. Moreover, after Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu ‛Alaihi Wasallam, the system of Imāmat has to continue so that the Ummat may continue to be guided. The majority of present-day Shias hold such beliefs which render them out of the fold of Islam. Shi’ism has very little in common with the correct mainstream Islam. The unbridgeable divide between the two is entrenched in some of the core fundamentals of this sect, such as:
- The Twelve Imams- According to their beliefs, Allah had chosen twelve men to succeed Nabi (Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam). The Twelfth Imam however disappeared at the age of five. He is believed to be the awaited Mahdi.
- The status of The Imams-These Imaams possess more knowledge than the Ambiyaa. They are superior to the Ambiyaa and the entire creation.
- The Noble Quran has been distorted. – Their scholars believe The Qur’an is incomplete and distorted in its present form.
- Vilification and apostasy of the Sahabah. – The Sahaaba were guilty of wilfully distorting and corrupting Islam. They turned renegade after the demise of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam except the immediate household of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. They also believe that the noble wives of Rasululullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam were responsible for his death.
- The permissibility of Muta. – (similar to adultery and fornication).
- Virtues of Taqiyyah. – (The promoting lies and deceit).
[Re: Deviated sects and the straight path of Islam Pg:39]
2. Salafis (Ghair Muqallideen):
Background:
When the British came to India and the war for freedom of 1857 exhausted the British government, they developed a policy of causing confusion among the Muslims. They felt that as long as Muslims fight against each other, it will be easy for them to continue their rule. This is why they instigated several sects among the Muslims in the name of religion. The Ghair Muqallid sect was one such sect. Initially, this sect referred to itself as “Muhammadī” but its opponents referred to it as “Wahhābī” and “Ghair Muqallid”. Anyone who was a fighter or revolutionary was referred to as a Wahhābī by the British. The senior benefactor of this sect, Maulānā Muhammad Husayn Batālwī, strove with the British government to have their name changed to “Ahl-e-Hadīth”. Sir Charles Acheson who was the lieutenant-governor of Punjab at the time, had cordial relations with Maulānā Muhammad Husayn Batālwī. It was through his efforts that he had the name changed to “Ahl-e-Hadīth” so that the British do not consider them to be their opponents by labelling them as Wahhābīs. This sect was then used to the full in its loyalty to the British.
Some of the beliefs and doctrines of current day Salafis:
- Rejection of Taqlīd.
- Rejection of Ijmā‛ of the Ummat.
- Rejection of 20 Rakaats of Tarāwīh.
- Rejection of three divorces in one assembly.
- Recitation of Quraān behind the Imām.
- Abstaining from placing the hands below the navel in Salāh; placing them on the chest.
- Raising of hands in different postures of Salāh.
- Saying Āmīn in a loud voice.
- The three days of Qurbānī.
- Performing Masah on ordinary socks.
[Re: Deviated sects and the straight path of Islam Pg:232-236]
3. Qadiyanis:
Background:
The Quraan, Hadith and Ijma (consensus) of the Ummat, are unanimous with regard to Muhammad Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu ‛Alaihi Wasallam being the final Prophet. This point is explained more than 100 times in the Qurān. At the same time, Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu ‛Alaihi Wasallam made the following prediction:
The Final Hour will not take place until about 30 Dajjāls and impostors are sent. Each of them will claim to be Allāh’s Messenger.
Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu ‛Alayhi Wasallam made this prediction, and towards the end of his life, Musaylamah the impostor, made a claim to prophethood. Similarly, Aswad ‛Ansī, who was a resident of Yemen, and a conniving Christian woman by the name of Sajā‛ bint Hārith of Iraq, both announced that they were prophets after the demise of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu ‛Alaihi Wasallam. Others also made claims to Prophethood after this. Then towards the end of the 18th century, a person by the name of Mirzā Ghulām Ahmad Qādiyānī claimed that he was a prophet. In 1857, the British colonialists snatched away the throne and kingdom from the Muslim rulers of India, and took complete control of the country through their plots and plans. They feared that the Muslims may regain control, so they planted the seeds of confusion and mayhem among the Muslims in order to weaken them. Mirzā Ghulām Ahmad Qādiyānī was one such person whom the British used to attack the fundamental pillars of Islam. Sometimes they made him claim prophethood, sometimes he was made to speak ill of the Prophets ‛Alaihimus Salām, and at other times, efforts were made to prove the Qur’ān and Hadīth wrong. Finally, the British who feared that the Muslims would resort to Jihād, made Mirzā Ghulām Ahmad Qādiyānī claim that Jihād was no longer applicable. He made this announcement repeatedly: “Every person who pledges allegiance to me and believes me to be the promised messiah, must firmly believe that Jihād is Harām in our times.” There were times when he used to say: “O friends! Give up thoughts of Jihād. Fighting and killing is now forbidden in Dīn.” The British accomplished their goal of causing disunity and confusion among the Muslims, and were able to rule of the sub-continent for a long period of time. The Qādiyānī sect came into existence in 1840 in the Indian province of Punjab.
Some of the beliefs and doctrines of the Qadiyanis:
- The final Prophet is not Muhammad Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu ‛Alaihi Wasallam but Mirzā Ghulām Ahmad Qādiyānī.
- Divine revelation used to descend like rain on Mirzā Ghulām Ahmad.
- The teachings of Mirzā Ghulām Ahmad are now a salvation for all humanity.
- The one who does not accept the prophethood of Mirzā Ghulām Ahmad is a Kāfir who is destined to Hell.
- Mirzā Ghulām Ahmad performed one million miracles. (While Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu ‛Alaihi Wasallam performed 3 000).
- Mirzā Ghulām Ahmad holds a position higher than Muhammad Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu ‛Alaihi Wasallam.
[Re: Deviated sects and the straight path of Islam pg:125-128]
4. The group that will attain salvation is referred to as the Ahl-us-Sunnah Wal-Jama’ah.
Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu ‛Alaihi Wasallam said:
تفرق امتي على ثلاث وسبعين فرقة (ترمذي ج٢ص٩٢)
My ummah will be divided into 73 sects.
Another narration states:
كلهم في النار الا ملة واحدة (ترمذي ج٢ص٩٣)
All of them will be in the Hellfire except for one sect.
Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu ‛Alaihi Wasallam says in another narration with reference to this sect which will attain salvation:
ما انا عليه و اصحابي
The path on which I and my Companions are upon.
This group is known as the Ahl as-Sunnah Wal Jamā‛ah. The word “Ahl” in this context refers to followers and adherents. The word “Sunnah” means a path. In the definition of Islam, the word “Sunnah” refers to Rasūlullāh’s way of life and course of action. The word “Jamā‛ah” means a group. Here it refers to the group of Sahābah Radiallāhu ‛Anhum. ‛Allāmah Sayyid Sulaimān Nadwī Rahimahullāh states with reference to the meaning and import of Ahl as-Sunnah Wal-Jamā‛ah: “It refers to that group of people whose beliefs, actions and issues revolve around the authentic Sunnah of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu ‛Alaihi Wasallam, and the way of the Sahābah Radiallāhu ‛Anhum. To put it in other words, it refers to those who – in their beliefs, principles of life, acts of worship and mannerisms – adopted the path which Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu ‛Alaihi Wasallam trod throughout his life and which the Sahābah radiyallāhu ‛anhum after him made their objective and eventually reached their destination.
The Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jamaah first accept Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam as their leader. Subsequently, he himself said:
The path on which I and my Companions are upon.
And so, they also accept the Sahābah Radiallāhu ‛Anhum as the criterion of truth, especially the Khulafā’ Rāshidīn regarding whom Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu ‛Alaihi Wasallam said:
Hold on firmly to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly-guided khulafā’ after me. Grasp it firmly and hold it tightly with your teeth.
Thereafter, the Ahl as-Sunnah Wal-Jamā‛ah accepts the four Imāms – Imām Abū Hanīfah, Imām Shāfi‛ī, Imām Mālik and Imām Ahmad Rahimahullāh – to be on the truth and believes that it is essential to follow the rulings of any one of them. Furthermore, according to the Ahl as-Sunnah Wal-Jamā‛ah there are four sources of Islamic law: (1) Qur’ān, (2) Sunnah, (3) Ijmā‛ (consensus of opinion of the Ummah), (4) Qiyās (when there is no apparent solution to certain juridical issues, a solution is found through analogical reasoning with issues for which there are solutions).
Shāh Walī Allāh’s Statement on The Successful Group: The successful group is the one which adopts – as regards beliefs and practices – that which is obvious from the Qurān and Sunnah and which was practised on by the major body of Sahābah and Tābi‛īn.
[Re: Deviated sects and the straight path of Islam Pg: 19-24]
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Maulana Ahmed Saeed
Date: 21 Dhul Qadah 1445 / 30 May 2024
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb
