In one sentence, there are no sects or denominations in real Islam. However, in practical life, one comes across a multitude of sects, all claiming to be Islamic. To explain the true teaching of Islam regarding sects the discussion is started with a historical perspective.
Story of Musa (Moses) and Haroon (Aaron)
When Moses went to the mountain, he left Aaron in charge of the Israelites. After few days when he returns, he finds out that his nation has started worshiping a calf. The incident makes him very angry and in the fit of rage he asks his brother:
“O Aaron! What prevented you (from stopping them) when you saw that they had gone astray? [20: 92]”
Aaron who also is a rasool of Allah, answers:
“O son of my mother! Do not reproach me so harshly. I did not stop them so sternly because I feared that on your return you might accuse me of causing a split amongst the children of Israel, and that I did not care for your word. (I tolerated their temporary ignorance, but in fact have saved them from sectarianism.) After hearing this explanation Moses was satisfied about Aaron’s behavior [20: 94].”
The purpose of this incident’s inclusion is not merely to recall an event in history, but to educate in lucid and strong words the implications of creating a split within the Islamic nation in the name of sects. Quran regards idol worshipping as shirk but creating a sect is such a big shirk (sin) that Aaron accepted the temporary idol worshipping by his people. Quran then goes on to explain that these people apologized and their repentance was accepted by Allah [see 2: 45]. But when they divided into different groups and parties then nothing saved them [see 7: 168] and death and destruction lingered on them throughout the ages [see 3: 111].
Important Note: This verse [20:94] should not be taken out of context or misconstruened to achieve the aim of fallacizing that Quran permits idol worship. The story, very clearly is only a cautionary and instructive tale, trying to clearly explain only one thing – the disapproval of sects within Islamic Nation.
In another verse Quran explicitly says:
“You should remain extremely careful not to indulge in shirk. You should not be amongst those who break the unity of their Deen and who instead of remaining one entity, get split into various sects [30: 32].”
Every Sect is non-Muslim
Quoting from Quran:
“Deen is one way to be followed by a united Ummah. Those who create differences in the Deen and divide themselves into sects, O Rasool, you should have nothing to do with them. Their affairs will be decided according to the laws of Allah Who will make them realize what they had been doing [6: 160].”
“Accordingly, after becoming the upholders of the principle of Tauheed, you should remain extremely careful not to indulge in shirk. You should not be amongst those who break the unity of their Deen and who instead of remaining one entity, get split into various sects. After people split into sects, every group thinks it is on the path of truth and is therefore content with its own way. Remember getting split into sects or factions amounts to shirk. Never fall prey to it [30: 32 also see 3:104, 6:160, 23: 53,42:13].”
The incident of Masjid Zarar (مسجد ضرار) is well known to every Muslim. Within lifetime of Muhammadۖ, while in Medina a group of Muslims built a mosque, calling it Zarar. At that moment there was a mosque already in Medina; Masjid-e-Nabvi. Only because they built a second mosque within the limits of the first mosque and instead of going to Masjid-e-Nabvi where everyone was going, a specific group went only to Masjid Zarar, Allah revealed the ayah that not only those Muslims who had created a mosque for themselves should be punished but the mosque also brought down.
“There are some amongst the hypocrites who have erected a mosque to show that they are true believers. But the purpose of building this mosque is to do damage to the Divine Order, promote Kufr and cause a split amongst the Momineen. This is not a mosque but a base for operations of those who had in the past fought against the Divine system. When asked about their intentions these people will swear that their motive was good, but Allah bears witness that they are nothing but liars [9: 107].”
Which sect is Muslim?
In reality there are scores of sects within the Muslim Ummah of today. At this point, once might ask as how to determine which sect is Muslim and which is not. It is simple. For one: the true Islamic followers would never call themselves by a sectarian name, no matter what. Secondly, their lifestyles will follow each and every word of Quran. This is the only way to judge one’s Islam.
Many of the so-called Ulema, Maulanas, Muftis and other “protectors of religion” knowing the words of Quran and its teachings towards sectarianism have long aired the opinion that:
There might be some differences, arising between two people based on the interpretation of a particular injunction in Quran and that would lead to two groups of people with different thoughts i.e. the famous “Schools of Thoughts”. It is these benign and philosopher rich schools of thoughts which are today called the sects. Though it is not possible to have two opinions over the injunctions of Quran, as Quran is very easy to understand [see 22: 40, 54: 16]) but for argument’s sake, let’s assume that such a hypothetical situation might arise. We know Quran is not a religious book. It is a book of laws. Hence, this problem of different interpretations would arise within two government officials. As is the case with any government system, both of them would send their arguments and thoughts to the person in charge of their office who, then would decide in his personal capacity that which one of them is truly Quranic. Once he has made the decision, both of the two would have to agree upon and implement the law in the country. If one decides to oppose it and takes practical steps, this will be nothing short of mutiny or rebellion. In the context of today’s world when an army personnel tries to take practical steps based on a resolution on which he does not agree with the governing officials it is called a coup and when a bureaucrat takes some practical steps of imposing his ideology it is called treason.
We take another example to further elucidate this point. If in USA ten senators try to impose communism, hypothetically of course, then when they are caught, they will be charged with treason.
As described in the above two examples, the same logic is applied in an Islamic Country. The only thing the government official can do is to take the case to higher ranking official and then to the next rank. If no one listens to him, then he has to bring in more convincing arguments for his point. If his arguments are valid and they point to some defect which hinders the development of human personality then it will be implemented without a question. In all likelihood, in an Islamic State, the probability of differences rising based on different interpretations of Koran is slim, very slim. However, if some people regard Koran as merely a “religious scripture” and then individually start interpreting, then one can only guess how many differences might arise. This way of course is un-Islamic (emphasis on “Religious Scripture”).
Sects as Punishment
As a matter of fact, Quran calls the act of being divided into sects as a sign of punishment from Allah. And Allah only punishes those who are non-Muslims, even if they consider themselves Muslims.
“O Momineen! You should not be like those who fell into factions and differed amongst themselves after clear guidance had come to them. For them there is grievous torment [3: 104].”
It should not be judged from this that Allah forcibly implies His will on mankind, thus washing away any notions of free-will. Actually it is because of the acts of man that they divide into sects followed by a multitude of problems and anxieties. It is these problems which are called punishments from Allah.
