I came across this really nice article by a young blogger Brave Struggler. Do check out her blog. She doesn’t blog much but when she does, its simply amazing, mashaAllah.

Sect Systems in Islam
By: Brave Struggler
People are very defensive where religion is concerned and what they believe in. That is only human since religion keep you going and give you sense of purpose in this life. Here is the problem though. Initially there was only one faith that started all the way back from Prophet Adam and Eve (may Allah be pleased with them). They feared and loved Almighty. Off-course Allah tallah added rules and regulations as time passed by and societies came to be. For example the Ten Commandments given to Prophet Moses (may Allah be pleased with him). People however always distort religion to meet their own individual needs and desires. Thus religion is not extreme but it is people who make religion extreme. From my perspective the minute you start distorting God’s rulings you are no longer within the religion of Allah.I have received many comments that if you don’t belong to a specific sect (e.g. Sunni) then you are not a Muslim. I guess, people tend to change the sect name to what they themselves are. This is a very important issue that needs to be addressed in light of Islam and Qur’an.
First thing, let’s look at the prophets (peace be upon them), none of them were rigid and fixed on their individual mentalities. They were above anything else, accepting, forgiving and acted as a guide towards people. What I am trying to say is that as a Muslim you have to look at the truth NOT the truth that you WANT TO BELIEVE IN BUT THE TRUTH ITSELF. Once you have separated your wants and desires from what are God’s rulings only then in that state can you practice Islam. That is exactly the reason people get offended or aggressive towards one another because they have mingled Islamic requirements with their own perspectives (which might not have anything to do with Islam or Allah tallah).

Coming to this whole sect business, personally I have looked into this when I started looking into other religions as Allah tallah has encouraged in the Qur’an over and over again (ex: To seek the people of knowledge, this verse have been stated again and again in the Qur’an). Furthermore, just think if there is God, then He would want people to know the truth and to practice the truth. I mean not to practice the truth because they have seen their parents do it or because that is how it is suppose to be. Prophets were always seeking and Qur’an gives the same advice to everybody else. Only through seeking, pondering and thinking about something can you truly believe in it and thus practice it with your whole essence.

What the Qur’an states about sects:

As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, you have no part of them in the least. Their affair is with Allah; He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did.” (6:159)

“Surely, this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher. Therefore serve me and no other. But they broke their religion into sects among them; yet they will all return to Us.” (21:92-93)

“And surely this brotherhood of your is a single brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher. Therefore fear Me and no other. But people have broken their religion into sects, each group rejoicing in that which is with them. But leave them in their confused ignorance for a time.” (23:52-54)

“Turn back in repentance to Him, and fear Him. Establish regular prayers, and be not among those who ascribe partners to God — those who split up their religion, and become mere sects, each party rejoicing in that which is with itself!” (30:31-32)

“The believers are but a single Brotherhood. So make peace and reconciliation between your two contending brothers, and observe your duty to God, that you may receive mercy.” (49:10-11)

Brothers and sisters who are confused or who hold on to their sect system, I would advice you to open your hearts and look at the Qur’an and the how Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) practice the Qur’an. Religion is there to bring people together and NOT to separate them. Sects on the other hand divide and create “you are wrong and I am right” attitude. I hope and pray that this reaches you.

Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) did not follow such a thing and personally I think he would have been very saddened to see what happened after he passed away.

Islam is very simple. Almost all aspects of life are covered in the Qur’an and Sunnah. Let’s suppose you find something that you have doubt about, something that is not covered by the Qur’an and Sunnah. What do you do, in such a situation? In one of the Hadith Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) mentions that if you have doubt about something it is better to leave it than to indulge in it. If you cannot leave it, personally I would just perform Istikharah, it is not like there is a curtain between you and God. If you ask Allah tallah with a sincere heart, He always replies back.

Islam has Nothing To Do With Sects ) Keep this in mind, the next time someone asks you what is your sect or group. If you are actually trying to practice Islam, then your answer should vary from being a Muslim to a Mumin.

One more thing, I understand there are different schools of thought, however they differ on very small things. They are there to advice and guide you. They are NOT there so that you can put down another Muslim brother/sister. These days, our own people are too busy with harming each other (backbiting, insulting, physical harm, sexual harm and lastly killing). What is even more amazing is that they justify all the wrong they do and even more amazing than that is they still call themselves Muslims. One such example is a constant war between Sunni and Shai? What is up with that? As I said before, if you declare that you are Sunni or that you are Shai you are stepping outside the rules and regulations that were given and practiced by Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him).

Lastly, I want to leave one hadith with you, I hope it enlighten some lost souls before their time is up in this world:

Narrated Abu Bakrah: “I heard Allah’s Messenger saying: ‘When two Muslims fight (meet) each other with their swords, both the murderer as well as the murdered will go to the Hell-fire.’ I said: “O Allah’s Messenger! It is alright for the murderer but what about the murdered one?’ Allah’s messenger replied: ‘He surely had the intention to kill his companion.’ ”

Kind Regards