Islam - what's with the sects?

[charlesl]

Reading many of the threads below reminds me of my own recent experiences as one learning about Islam. I have found that there is considerable disagreement amongst Muslims which I regret, and find very hard to understand.

In my thirst for knowledge of the religion, I have found Muslims of one ethnic group, when I innocently ask them for insight, saying Muslims of another ethnic group are no 'real' Muslims. This has not happened only once, but several times. So who are the real Muslims, which sect is truly Muslim? As Muhammed Mubarak noted below, there are many to choose from.

Honestly, there are times when I consider that living according to the Quran is paramount and if the Muslims must indulge in petty character assasination, and insult others piety, I may be better off without them and live Islam on my own. To this day I cannot understand this sectarianism and the propensity for violence and discrimination I see in the Muslim world.

Then there is the subject of dawa. What dawa is this? A few websites are the only dawa I have ever seen. I worked for many years in Saudi Arabia and even there dawa was almost unheard of. Not one Muslim in the Kingdom ever tried to convince me of the veracity of Islam. In ten years in Jeddah, not one!!

In the end, I've read the Quran from cover to cover, and am very impressed. I'm humbled by this Book. I've read much of the Sunnah, a lot of wisdom there - some more relevant to our time than others. Ultimately I must make decisions soon and join the ummah or not. It would be an easy choice if the Book guides me, and I ignore the manifest failings of the Muslim world.

Hope this makes some sense. I'm not denigrating Islam here. In the long term I see Islam as the only hope for mankind, but the current situation is very disturbing and troubling.

[Consider]

Peace,

I hope I can give a just answer, allah willing, although I am not upto it at all.

Islam is a simple religion, and has six articles of faith. These articles of faith are the basis of our faith, and include belief in allah, his messengers, his books, angels, day of judgement+ hereafter, and destiny, the good and the bad of it.

We are supposed to follow the quran and the sunnah. Full-stop. But unfortuantely, there are many groups that have arisen.

Some groups neglect the sunnah and go just on the qur'an. Some groups dont believe in the punishement of the grave and the list goes on. Some of the things that the groups dont believe in are fundamentals of our faith. Neglecting the sunnah means neglecting the example of our prophet (pbuh). and so forth. Some things are so serious, that disbelieving in them could negate our faith.

Unfortunaltely, many groups feud on petty matters of our religion, creating innovations and disunity. It is all very well to say that muslims should be united, and they should be, but some of these groups or sects believe in such things and ignore such things in our religion, that their beliefs go against the teachings of the qur'an sometimes, and the sunnah, and against the beliefs that form the backbone of our religion.

There will be 73 sects on the day of judgement, of islam. And only one will be right. What we should be doing is going back to the quran and sunnah, to the authentic sources, and following the true islam, untainted. You have to follow what the majority of muslims follow, ahl as-sunnah wa al-jama'ah, not any splinter group.

I will allah willing, find some articles on this, but I would advise you, if you are learning about islam, to start on the bottom, the best place to start and as you go on and have more knowledge, you will be able to differentiate between the true believers and the deviants. Alhamdulillah, you have read the quran and the sunnah. That in reality is all you need. However, it is best to study under a more knowledgeable person as even the quran and the sunnah can be misinterpreted.

Islam is not a by-yourself religion. It is important to mix, even with people whose views you may disagree on, and this type of person who mixes with all types of muslims is better than one who stays at home to try to protect himself. This is from a hadith, and I will find it for you. Isnt this a test of your faith? a form of strengthening, and a form of helping others on the true path (da'wah) will allahs will, because allah guides whom he wills and no-one can do anything about it. Da'wah is also to muslims as well as non-muslims.

Some sites:

innovation in islam
http://www.islaam.net/display/display.php?id=155&category=19

Determining the right way
http://www.sunnahonline.com/ilm/aqeedah/0007.htm

A glimspe at the way of the companions
http://www.sunnahonline.com/ilm/aqeedah/0057.htm

Innovation in religion
http://www.islaam.com/Article.asp?id=45


May allah help you in search for the truth.

Peace.

[Bilal]

No need to follow sectors, only Allah judge us. We should follow the Koran and sunnah. I was considered as Sunni, but I beleive that I am just muslim without sectors.

[jamila]

Peace be unto you, Charles.

I think you have got your heart in the right place. I, too, was a new, confused Muslim, and found it hard to understand certain restrictions, especially on women, according to certain schools of thought. But I became a Muslim because I was convinced of Godhead, and hence His right (Allah being Godhead) of what he ordains - Our worship of Him. Once that settles in your heart, the differences in Fiqh between rival groups become that. Differences you are the judge over, as you acquire knowledge.

Bintemasood, as always, points you in the right direction. I think you will find that the followers of the Salaf, and the sources they derive their understanding of the deen from, will mesh with your own natural propensity to adhere to the Qur'an and Sunnah.

The Prophet Muhammad, May Allah exalt him above all men and grant him peace, in his last general address to the people. remended them thet he had left 2 things which, if clung to, would guide them on the straight way: Allah's Book (the Qur'an) and his (the Prophet's) sunnah (way/example). Allah Himself declares that any dispute we have should be taken back first to Allah, then to His Messenger (salah allahu alayhi wassalaam), to settle.

Hence the Statement of Shahada: "La ilaha Illa Allah. Muhammadan Al Rasulu Allah." There are no gods (worthy of being worshipped) but Allah (alone), and Muhammad is His (final) Messenger (to all mankind).

He also mentioned that if we do not know, we should take our query to those who do (do know the Qur'an and sunnah thoroughly).
He also asks the rhetoricval question. "Who is better? He who knows, or he who does not know?"

One other point. I don't understand the lack of dawah you encountered in Jeddah. I have had nothing but encouragement and eagerness to teach me Islam in my sojourn in Riyadh. There are many offices of 'Dawah" also, and bookshops galore which would send you to the right place. They are called 'Maktaba Jalliate al Islamia' in Arabic, or 'Offices for Islamic Propagation and Dawah' (in English).

I never regretted taking Shahada, and I recommend that you, too, take the oath of Shahada and join us in Islam, Inshallah!

jamila
If you need any addresses, I'll be happy to send you some.

[Bintul Huda]

Asalamunalaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

Peace to you charles,

I think it was Yusuf Islam who said that he was thankful to Allah that he found Islam before he found Muslims!

Another British convert to Islam, David Musa Pidcock once said that Islam is a great product with bad salesmen.

We muslims let Islam down on many fronts. Whilst we are proud to say we're Muslim and defend our religion (to the death sometimes), we fail to grasp the responsibilities that come with calling oneself a 'Muslim'. The global Islamic movement is at an all time low due to the Muslims losing sight on the fundamentals of Islam and engaging themselves in petty disputes, escalating in all out war between fellow Muslims based on differences in interpretations of Islamic scripture. You as a neutral observer, fairly new to Islam and its concepts can see that, but unfortunately the 'ummah' is so embroiled in debates as to who is right and who is wrong, that it has led to it to abandon the true spirit of Islam as embodied in the Qur'an.

Bint Masood says that Islam is a simple religion, and in many ways it is. But Islam calls upon a Muslim to intricately combine reason and doctrine and there is scope for different interpretations. We all go by the same book and agree upon the messengerhood of the last prophet, but things become much more complicated when you look into the way in which people read and understand the scriptures and who they consider as their scholars. In your studies of Islam, you no doubt came across the many theological debates and school schools of thought which have emerged since the advent of Islam. As the development of Islamic sciences such as philosophy, theology, jurisprudence etc. flourished, so the differences and disputes between Muslims started. In my opinion, difference is good and healthy; it allows us to think critically about things and form our own opinions based on reasoning. But when differences become the cause of enmity, hatred and eventually bloodshed, it becomes time to take stock of things and remember the fundamentals, lest we lose track of the most important aspects of life.

The problem is we all think we're right. When we are taught a particular ideology, and become convinced of its validity, it becomes almost impossible to accept the validity or at least legitimacy of anything else, and intolerance ensues. Who is the 'saved sect'? Well let’s examine what the Qur'an says:

Verily for the Righteous/ pious (muttaqeen) there will be victory.(78:31)

Except those who believe and do good, and enjoin on each other truth, and enjoin on each other patience.(103:3)

There is no clause to this statement. It doesn't say "only if you belong to such and such a group"......The saved group are those who have faith and work righteous deeds. True Islam may not necessarily be completely embodied in a particular group’s ideology, so the saved group may not be one of those who go by a particular name. If we as Muslims sincerely dedicate our lives to strengthening our faith, purifying our soul and making our way on life’s journey to the Ultimate end, which is God/ Allah, then by the mercy of Allah, we will meet Him on The Day of Judgement and be under His shade.

Say: I am only a mortal like you; it is revealed to me that your god is one Allah, therefore whoever hopes to meet his Lord, he should do good deeds, and not join any one in the service of his Lord.(18:110)

If each and every Muslim worked to perfect him/ herself, they would not have any time to sit and judge the validity of other people’s faith. And if Muslims we willing to learn from or at least listen to other Muslims, regardless of what sect they belonged to, the ummah as a whole would be strengthened.

I have friends who have converted to Islam and have become disillusioned due to the actions of Muslims. Its great that you have been attracted to the purity of Islam without all the baggage that belonging to a ‘group’ carries with it. If you believe in what you have read and feel you have found the path to the One, then follow your heart and God will help you find the Truth. Don’t ever be shaken by the behaviour of ‘Muslims’ if it is contrary to what you believe Islam stands for. There are many wonderful Muslims out there, I pray that you may be acquainted with them.

And who is better in speech than him who prayeth unto his Lord and doeth right, and saith: Lo! I am of those who are muslims (41:33)

Ma’salama
Peace to you

[muawiyah]

both bintmassood and jamila are correct may allah bless them for their virtous efforts of preaching and explaining the right path-the path of the salaaf ,to the the masses. charles the true islam is to follow the quran, and the authentic ahadith and take the example of the prophet's life and adopt the manners of the prophet's household and companions. following this way is the right path. there are many deviated sects and cults who associate themselves with islam but in reality have nothing to do with it, if you learn about their teachings and beliefs it will be clearly understood that they go contrary to what the Quran and the authentic sunnah of the prophet states. examples of these cults and false islamic sects are:
Shi'ites(ithna ashari or jaffri sect)
Nusayri(alawities)
Ismalilites
Ahmediyyah or Qadiyanis
Farrakhanism
Bahaullah or bahai sect
Boharas
AghaKhanis
al-Fatiha so-called Muslim Gays
Sufism
Bareilwiyat
Quranites (those who follow the quran only)
Qadariyyah
Baatiniyah
Jahmeeyah
Surooreyah
Murjiah
Rashid Khilifaites(19-ers)
Habashis
Khawarij
al-Mahkamah al-Oolaa;
al-Azaariqah;
an-Najdaat;
ath-Thu'aalabah;
al-'Ajaaridah;
al-Abaadhiyyah;
as-Safriyyah
al-Ibaathiyyah;
ash-Shamraakhiyyah;
as-Salaydiyyah;
as-Sirriyyah;
al-'Azriyyah;
al-'Ajradiyyah;
ash-Shakkiyyah;
al-Fadhaliyyah;
al-Bayhasiyyah;
al-'Atwiyyah;
al-Fadeekiyyah;
al-Ja'diyyah;
ash-Shaybiyyah;
al-Hurooriyyah;
al-Khamariyyah;
ash-Sharaah
THESE ARE THE CULTS AND FALSE ISLAMIC SECTS THAT ARE AWAY FROM THE GUIDANCE THAT IS THE QURAN AND THE SUNNAH.the reason why some of the brothers and the sisters try to expose,condemn and refute these cults especially Shi'ites is because to fulfil the duty of making clear to the adherets of those deviated sects what the true path or the true islam is. and to show them that they are in a total loss if they maintain their astray paths. let us take the example of the al-fatiha cult, the adherets of this cult thinks islam permits homosexuality and they practice it openly whereas if some one refers to the Quran and the Sunnah, he/she will find that Islam is strongly against homosexuality and calls for capital punishment on those who practice it. take another example of the Shi'ites. The adherets of this sect honor certain sages of the prophet's household and exalt them to such an extent that they attribute them with features that go against the teachings of the Quran and the sunnah, moreover they have cursing the prophet's companions as a tradition whereas the holy quran and the sunnah talk good and praise and promise bounties to the companions of the prophet. likewise deviations have occured and the other sects as mentioned above have come into being. again i thank all the brothers and sisters who are taking the pain of preaching the truth to others who are unaware of it. jazakumullahu khairan wasalaamu alikum wa rahmatulla

[charlesl]

Thank you for all your kind answers. I'm very impressed with the quality and sincerity of posts on this forum. It is, by far, the most helpful site I've seen. As a former, and very disillusioned Catholic (there must be millions of us out there) it is with some caution that I approach another religion. Initially, I was attracted by the simplicity of the message that Islam brought to the world. The Quran is fairly straightforward in its deliverance. The Sunnah I find a little more difficult to equate at the same level. I believe I read that Sheik Ahmed Zaki Yamani (former Saudi oil minister) stated that the Sunnah were statements by the Prophet that were aimed at a particular time in Islamic history which may, or may not, continue to have profound relevance today. But I find great value in the Sunnah to enhance understanding Quranic injunctions and ideals.

I must admit that I am still very concerned about sectarianism within Islam. It would seem that many, many millions of Muslims who consider themselves 'good' Muslims are in for a very disappointing Judgement Day. However, Bintul Huda, does provide some hope for them in her quotations from the Quran. I've taken all your views on-board and am continuing my pursuit of understanding a much more complex religion than I initially imagined.

Regarding dawah in Jeddah, as Jamila responded to, I must say that while there are official dawah organizations there (as I now know) - I never experienced any interest or contact from them. I admit I wasn't overtly looking for, or expecting any, at the time. I'm merely saying they were not very aggressive at all to present Islam to foreign workers and their families. Even among my Saudi co-workers there was little interest in propagating the faith. In fact, many seemed somewhat embarassed about it for some reason. I found, as you would expect, a broad spectrum of Saudi adherents. While many Saudis I knew were terrible examples for the religion, and humanity, I found that the best Saudis were those who humbly lived by their religion. In fact, they were some of the finest people I've ever known anywhere. It seemed to be a common denominator - those who really lived the religion were outstanding individuals.

Anyway, thanks again and appreciate your assistance. May God reward you all.

[Ruqayyah]

[Ithis is the first time ive used this site(or been involved in any forum!) wish me luck!!!
ive been aMuslim for 8years ans have asked myself similar questions in the past. Islam is a simlple religion, which is why often representatives of other religions call it a 'simple' mans religion. Their answer to why many Africans have accepted it. what an awful a conclusion. The point im trying to make is that Allah has made it simple for us. We make it hard for ourselves. Allah has said that he only has to see a small ounce of faith(or the like), and he will grant us Jannat.
Also I learnt today, a man came to our beloved Prophet (pbuh) and asked him about the day of reckoning. The Prophet(pbuh) said "what have you done in preperation"? The man said "nothing. Only thet I love Allah and his messenger". The Prophet(phuh) replied, "then you will be with the believers". The people were overjoyed at hearing this.
Of course we have to also obey Allah ta'alas laws. But through stories like these Allah is inviting us to Islam and the way of all of the beloved Prophets by making the accepting easy. The rest will come (inshallah) with imaan and love for Allah ta'ala
It is related that there will be 73 sects in the end and only one will enter into Jannat first time. This used to woory me imensley. I have since learnt that like the Prophet(pbuh) we must be humble and none of us can be sure that ours is the right way. Only Allah knows. I dont think the sect will have a name, not a man-made one anyway. It will include all those from all peoples who completely reject shirk and pray humbly to be on the right deen and be raised with the Prophet and his Ummah. Inshallah, Allah Ta'ala could never refuse such a dua.
Hope I helped a little. Rukaya.

[AbuMubarak]

Preserving the Usool

By Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-'Uthaymeen
[al-Ibaanah] [1]


The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) explained
clearly to the people – completely and clearly – what their Lord had
revealed for them; both the detailed matters and the important ones.,
the apparent matters and the hidden ones, to such an extent that he
(sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) taught them what they needed to know
with respect to matters of eating, drinking, marriage, clothing and
housing. So he taught them the etiquette of eating, drinking and
relieving one's self; the etiquette of marriage; the etiquette of
clothing and of entering and leaving the house, just as he taught
them what they needed to know with regard to the worship of Allaah –
the Mighty and Majestic – such as: purification, Prayer, zakaat
(alms), fasting, Pilgrimage (Hajj) and other than this.

He taught them what they needed to know with regard to the social
behaviour with the people, such as kindness to parents, keeping ties
of kinship, good companionship with friends and neighbours and other
than this. He taught them how to conduct themselves in matters of
buying and selling, pawning, leaving deposits, leasing, renting,
giving and receiving donations, and other such matters, to such an
extent that Aboo Dharr (radiyallaahu 'anhu) said, ``Indeed the
Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) passed away and
there is not a bird flapping its wings in the sky, except that he
mentioned to us some knowledge about it.'' [2]

FOUNDATIONS OF THE RELIGION:

Salmaan al-Faarisee (radiyallaahu 'anhu) narrated that it was said to
him, `Your Prophet taught you everything, even how to relieve
yourselves?' So he said to them, ``Yes indeed! And he has
prohibited us from facing the qiblah (direction of Prayer) whilst
relieving ourselves…'' [3] Along with this, he taught them the
foundation of all these acts of worship, manners and social
interractions. This foundation being what the worshippers hold
as 'aqeedah (belief) concerning Allaah – the deity who is worshipped
and who alone deserves to be worshipped – regarding His Dhaat
(Essence), His Names, His Attributes and His Actions; and what
follows from this with regards to His universal Laws and His
prescribed Laws, which is based upon His ultimate Wisdom and utmost
Mercy. The Companions learnt all of this from the Prophet
(sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) clearly and without any ambiguity,
and all of this was built upon the complete Tawheed of Allaah (to
single out Allaah alone for worship), having as its foundations two
great pillars: Affirmation and Negation. As for Affirmation, then it
is affirming what is due to Allaah – the Most High – from the rights
of His Lordship, worship and His Names, Attributes and Actions. As
for Negation, then it is negating any partners to Allaah – the Most
High – in all that is due to Him.

THE PEOPLE OF THE SUNNAH:

Those who followed them in goodness (i.e. in 'aqeedah and manhaj)
from those who reached the period of the Companions, or those who
came after them from the Imaams of guidance – who deserved the
Pleasure of Allaah – remained upon this path – as Allaah – the Most
High – said,

``This first to embrace Islaam from the Muhaajireen (those who
migrated from Makkah to al-Madeenah) and the Ansaar (those who lived
in al-Madeenah and aided them after migration) and those who follow
them in goodness (correct 'aqeedah and manhaj). Allaah is well-
pleased with them, as they are well-pleased with Him. He has
prepared for them gardens underneath which rivers flow, to dwell
therein forever. This is the supreme achievement.'' [Sooratut-Tawbah
9:100]

Then they were followed by those who came later, being blind to the
truth. So they went astray and led others astray; either due to
inabilities and shortcomings, or due to enmities and oppression.
They innovated into the Religion of Allaah – the Most High – that
which did not belong to it, in matters of 'aqeedah
(beliefs), 'ibaadah (acts of worship) and sulook (manners). They did
this by either altering the texts of the Book and the Sunnah; and if
it were possible, they rejected them entirely!

[samadams]

It seems when you take the hate and killing out, you are left with sufism? Is this correct?

Sam

[Bilal]

samadams

Sufism is pure spiritual group.

[Ruqayyah]

Dont they make themselves dizzy, in order to be at one with God. They also believe you can absorb and home in on spiritual forces from the graves of their mystics. They mostly meet up, men and women together and read zikr in a chanting fashion.(which is good apart from the mixing). They light fireworks on the Prophets birthday. Some call out to the Prophet like he can hear and answer them.

[AbuMubarak]

i see much sarcasm on this thread

May Allah prevent us from being sarcastic and purify our intention to learn the correct understanding of this deen

[Ruqayyah]

Astughfirullah. Im sorry if i seemed to be displaying sarcasm. I didnt realise that my post could be viewed as such until I re read it. I have been concerned about the Sufi's through personal experience and was merely inquiring to whether my fears were justifiable. I have a few friends who are Sufis

[AbuMubarak]

i was just wondering, to those of this forum, what is the meaning of the words of the prophet (sas) when he said that he has left us two things (quran and sunnah)

and what is wahn?

i am not against sufis, shia, or any other group, i am FOR and WITH those who want to hold on to the rope of Allah and not be divided by adding to this deen, which causes the confusion

[locked]

2002 was quite a good year, most threads were done then. Now it's just a case of bringing them back to life ;)

charesl, I couldn't have said it better myself.