Sects in Islam
Islam is based on the belief in one God (Allah) and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as conveyed in the Quran and Hadith. However, differences in interpretation and leadership led to the formation of various sects.
What is a Sect?
A sect is a subgroup within a religion that holds distinct beliefs or practices. In Islam, sects emerged due to differences in leadership, interpretation of religious texts, and rituals. Despite these divisions, all Muslims share core beliefs in one God, the Prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH), and the Quran.
| Sect | Leadership Belief | Key Practices | Perspective on Religious Authority | Similarities with Other Sects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunni | Caliphs were the rightful successors of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). | Follow four major schools of thought (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, Hanbali), five daily prayers, Friday prayers, Hadith & Sunnah. | Hadith and Quran are the primary sources of Islamic jurisprudence. | Believe in One Allah, Quran as the final revelation, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the last prophet. |
| Shia | Leadership should stay within the Prophet’s family (Imams from Ahlul Bayt). | Observe Ashura, commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, follow Ja’fari school of thought, perform Mut’ah (temporary marriage). | Imams are divinely appointed and infallible leaders. | Same core beliefs as Sunnis: One Allah, Quran, finality of Prophethood. |
| Ibadi | Leadership should be based on merit, not family lineage. | Similar to Sunni prayers but emphasize simplicity in worship, reject excessive luxuries. | Reject extremism and emphasize justice and community welfare. | Shares practices with both Sunni & Shia sects but maintains political neutrality. |
| Ahmadiyya | Believe Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was the promised Messiah and Mahdi. | Follow Islamic pillars, stress peace and non-violence, believe in continuous spiritual guidance. | Believe that divine revelation continues in a non-prophetic form. | Share basic Islamic practices but differ on the finality of Prophethood. |
| Sufism | Not a sect but a spiritual path found within both Sunni & Shia traditions. | Focus on meditation, dhikr (remembrance of Allah), poetry, spiritual connection. | Emphasize inner purification and mystical experiences over formal religious authority. | Present in both Sunni and Shia traditions; follow Islamic rituals but focus more on spirituality. |
Additional Notes on Minor Sects:
- Zaydi Shia – Closest to Sunni Islam, found mostly in Yemen.
- Ismaili Shia – Follow Aga Khan as their leader, emphasize esoteric interpretations.
- Twelver Shia – Largest Shia sect, believes in 12 divinely appointed Imams.
- Barelvi & Deobandi (Sunni Subsects) – Differ on approach to Sufism and reverence for saints.
- Wahhabism (Salafi Movement) – Prominent in Saudi Arabia, aims for strict monotheism and Quranic literalism.
- Ahmadiyya – Considered non-Muslim by mainstream Sunni/Shia scholars due to beliefs about Mirza Ghulam Ahmad.
Quranic Verses on Sectarianism:
Islam discourages division and calls for unity:
- Surah Al-Imran (3:103): “Hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided…”
- Surah Al-An’am (6:159): “Those who divided their religion and became sects – you, [O Muhammad], are not associated with them…”
- Surah Ar-Rum (30:32): “Of those who divided their religion into sects, each faction rejoicing in what it has.”
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