Sects in Islam

Question:

WAS THERE A SYSTEM OF SECTS IN ISLAM DURING THE TIME OF OUR PROPHET LIKE AS IS NOW??? EXAMPLE:-SUNNI WAHABI ETC

Answer:

Bismillahi ‘r-Rahmani ‘r-Raheem,

Allahumma Salli `ala Muhammad,

As-Salamu `Alaykum,

During this era, the Islamic `aqida was pristine and pure. It was pure in the hearts of the Believers (the Companions), there were no blemishes or anything mixed with it and the Prophet (s) said:

“The best of this Ummah is the generation to which I have been sent. Then those who come after them, then those who come after them, then those who come after them. Then there will come a people whose witness precedes their oaths, or their oaths precede their witness.” (hasan hadith narrated by at-Tirmidhi)

But he (s) also warned that:

“The Jews separated into 71 sects, and the Christians into 72, and my nation will divide into 73 sects.'” (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)

The division amongst the Muslims was dormant at the time the revelation was revealed when Allah said,

ٱلۡأَعۡرَابُ أَشَدُّ ڪُفۡرً۬ا وَنِفَاقً۬ا وَأَجۡدَرُ أَلَّا يَعۡلَمُواْ حُدُودَ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ۬

وَمِنَ ٱلۡأَعۡرَابِ مَن يَتَّخِذُ مَا يُنفِقُ مَغۡرَمً۬ا وَيَتَرَبَّصُ بِكُمُ ٱلدَّوَآٮِٕرَ‌ۚ عَلَيۡهِمۡ دَآٮِٕرَةُ ٱلسَّوۡءِ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ۬

{The Arabs of the desert are the worst in unbelief and hypocrisy and most fitted to be in ignorance of the command which Allah hath sent down to His Messenger: but Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (97) Some of the desert Arabs Look upon their payments as a fine, and watch for disasters for you: on them be the disaster of Evil: for Allah is He who heareth and knoweth (all things).}  Surat at-Tawba 9:97-98

The Arab Bedouins mentioned here were those of the Najd. They finally manifested themselves during the time Sayyidina`Ali (r) from the Khawarij, which means the first to separate from the Jama`ah after the Prophet (s) advised the nation to stay with the Jama`ah:

“Allah will never allow my Ummah to unite upon misguidance and incorrect beliefs. Allah’s mercy, blessings and protection are with the largest group of Muslims. And he who deviates from this largest group of Muslims will be thrown into Hell.” (Tirmidhi)

“He who deviates from the largest group of Muslims, even as much as a hand span, has himself cut off his connection with Islam”. (Abu Dawud)

Ismaeel Dhul-Qarnayn

About Imam Ismaeel Dhul-Qarnayn

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