Islam vs. the Sects
mohammad
As we all know, Muslims are a very divided people. We find all the
excuses in the world to create division amongst ourselves. We divide
ourselves on according to race, sect, our pre-Islamic cultures,
political opinions, ancestry and even on the imams we follow! Brothers
and sisters, none of these excuses for separation are considered valid
by Allah, and therefore we should not consider them valid either.
A good Muslim is one who is without denomination, faction, or any other
special loyalty. The prophet (SAWS), in his final speech to the whole
Ummah, said that between Muslims, there are no races or tribes. We have
divided the Ummah which our nabi (SAWS) tried so hard to keep together.
Allah warns us, in verse 105 of surah #3 not to allow ourselves to
dissociate. The verse reads:
The approximate meaning in English is:
"And be not like those who are divided amongst themselves and fall into
disputations after receiving clear signs: for them is a dreadful
punishment in store".
Islam, being a flexible religion, allows for a variety of opinions and
customs, as long as they do not contradict the religion. As mentioned,
religious disagreements between the so-called sects of Islam can be
resolved by turning to the Quran, not by segregation. The Quran is the
book of guidance for ALL OF mankind. How can we convince anyone of this
if we cannot even be united amongst ourselves! We are making a mockery
of ourselves to non-muslims by refusing to follow the simple
instructions of our own holy book! Allah's disapproval of disunity
among Muslims is evident in verse 103 of surat Al-Imran:
The approximate meaning is:
And hold fast, all of you, to the rope of Allah, and do not separate.
And remember Allah's favour unto you: how you were enemies and He made
friendship between your hearts so that you became brothers by His
grace: and how you were upon the brink of an abyss fire, and He did
save you from it.
Thus, Allah maketh clear His revelations unto you that haply you may be
guided.
The ayah refers to how the Meccans and Medinians were united by the
grace of Allah. This example illustrates how Islam was, and should
still be, a uniting force between Muslims despite any superficial
differences which may exist between us. The ayah also tells us that the
Quran contains very clear guidance. Given that, there is no reason why
any two Muslims should not practice Islam the same way, the way Allah
has instructed.
The most shameful division among Muslims is that of denomination; the
major ones being sunni, sheea, and ismaeli. These are all artificial
divisions which have absolutely nothing to do with Allahs revealed
deen. Who are we to cut up Allahs deen into little pieces, especially
when Allah has forbidden us to do so? This is a crime committed by
nearly 1 billion Muslims. A study of the history of these sects reveals
that they were created PURELY by political disagreements. Later,
innovations in religion lead to religious differences. An honest study
of the Quran easily reveals these innovations. Nowhere in the Quran is
there any mention of sunni, sheea, or ismaeli, and so we must make
these terms alien to our vocabulary!
The Quran is very clear in this matter. Allah has declared that
sectarianism is Haram. As Muslims, we are prohibited even from
involvement with people who restrict themselves to a so-called
subdivision of Islam. This point is mentioned in verse 159 of surah #6:
As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, thou
hast NO PART IN THEM IN THE LEAST, their affair is with Allah, He will
in the end tell them the truth of all that they did.
It is interesting to note that when Quran refers to those who will
inhabit the jahannam, Allah often mentions that they will see the truth
of all that they did or that they will receive just treatment for all
that they used to do. These endings are never mentioned for those
people who will enter Paradise. They are reserved especially for the
sinners; those sinners who will be punished. So you be the judge: What
do you think is in store for those people just described? Verses 27-28
of surah #45 of the Quran make this comparison too, but they also
stress that on the Day of Judgment, followers of all sects will be in
the same category. These verses read as follows:
...The Day that the Hour of Judgment is established, that day will the
dealers in falsehood perish, and thou will see EVERY sect bowing the
knee, every sect will be called to its record: This day shall ye be
recompensed for all that ye did.
It is obvious that sinners are being described. Bowing the knee is a
phrase used to describe the position of the wrongdoers on the Day of
Judgment. In the example given, the sinners are those people who claim
loyalty to ANY so-called sect of Islam.
A Muslim is defined as one who follows the religion of Allah, Al-Islam.
Divisions exist to separate differences. If we divide ourselves, it is
due either to some worldly difference between us or a difference in
faith (as mentioned, neither is justifiable). A deliberate alteration
of faith does not create a sect of Islam, it creates a distinct faith
which the followers may claim to be a sect of Islam. Thus, there is a
great danger involved in attributing oneself to one of the many
so-called sects of Islam. Loyalty is allowed only for Allah, His
messenger, and to those people who claim loyalty to Allah and his
Messenger (SAWS) (i.e. the Muslims). Those of us who declare loyalty to
a specific sect had better beware; sect of Islam is a contradiction of
terms. You can have one or the other, not both! In accord with this,
verse 32 of surah #30 of the Quran reads:
And be not like those who join gods with Allah, those who split up
their religion and become (mere) sects, each party rejoicing in that
which is with itself!
The words, "that which is with itself" refer to those differences which
people use to justify their separation from Islam. Notice that
polytheism, the greatest sin, is prohibited along side with division of
religion. This pairing, like everything else in the Quran, is
deliberate. It is meant to demonstrate the magnitude of this crime.
All of us must refuse to attribute ourselves to any of the man made
divisions of Islam. If anyone asks you if you are Sunni, or Sheea, tell
them that you are a Muslim, who believes in the seven beliefs, and
practices the five pillars. Tell them that you strive to live according
to the way Allah has instructed in the Quran.
Take a moment to reflect upon these questions: To what sect did
Mohammed (SAWS) belong to? Whose example was the best example of how a
Muslim should live his/her life? If the prophet (SAWS) were alive
today, what would his opinion be on this subject? Should we, being
followers of Islam, not try to keep our opinion consistent with the
prophets (SAWS)? How can a non-Muslim be attracted to Islam knowing
that there are so many versions of it, and if a non-Muslim decides to
embrace Islam, wouldn't his/her joining of a sect ruin such a beautiful
decision? During the time of our beloved prophet (SAWS), Muslims called
themselves just that, Muslims. Nobody was a Sheea, or a Bohra, or an
Ahmedi, or a Sunni, or an Ismaeli, or a Qadiani or a Duruz, or a Bahai,
or an Ansarullah, or anything. All Muslims were equal. Everyone proudly
proclaimed the Shahada:
Ash-hadu Allaa ilaaha ill-Allahu WaHdahu laa shareeka lah,
wa Ash-hadu Anna MuHammadan abduhu wa rasooluh!
I now call upon all of you to immediately renounce any special
religious loyalty which you may posses. For the love of Allah, the one
who created you and blessed you with his deen, forget that you belong
to any group and be proud that you are Muslim. And renouncing the sect
is not enough if we continue to practice Islam with our differences. We
must investigate what caused the formation of the sect and what
characteristics of the sect are incompatible with Islam. We must seek
knowledge of our religion in order to practice it as perfectly as we
are capable. It is obvious that anyone who belongs to a sect and claims
to be Muslim believes that their sect represents true Islam. I have two
things to say to that. First of all, merely labeling oneself as one
kind of Muslim or another is Haram as it is division in the most direct
sense. Secondly, look up the date the Islam was revealed and then look
up the date that your sect of the religion was born. After finding that
they are not equal, dont even dare to claim that your sect is true
Islam. That would be an insult to the Rasoolullah (SAWS).
As a final reminder, I will introduce another quote from the Holy Quran
that again points to the fact that unity among Muslims is an
indispensable, fundamental part of Islam:
The approximate meaning is:
"Verily, you are one Ummah. I am your Lord, worship me"