Islam and Sect

There are no different sects in Islam, whether Sunni, Shia, or any other. These names are man-made, but there is only one sect, and that is Islam. You can refer to yourself simply as a Muslim, as both terms mean submission or surrender to the will of God. Islam is based on the Qur’an and Hadith. Apart from these, you should avoid using any other books or names. The evidence is here:

📖Quran 6:159
Indeed, those who have divided their religion and become sects—you, [O Muhammad], are not [associated] with them in anything. Their affair is only [left] to Allah; then He will inform them about what they used to do.

This verse is not only about sects among Muslims but also about Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and all others who today do not believe in Islam. Their forefathers were Muslims, but they divided, so it applies to them too. It also applies among Muslims who have become divided and use different names.

Warning Against Seventy-Three Sects

📖Sunan Abi Dawud 4596
Narrated AbuHurayrah: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: The Jews were split up into seventy-one or seventy-two sects; and the Christians were split up into seventy one or seventy-two sects; and my community will be split up into seventy-three sects.

This Hadith from Sunan Abi Dawud 4596 states that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prophesied the splitting of his community into seventy-three sects. This Hadith serves as a warning about the divisions that would arise among Muslims in the future. It highlights the importance of being aware of these sects and adhering to the teachings and principles of the Prophet Muhammad. This isn’t as if God is forcing you to be divided, but rather, it is you who are acting against God and His Prophet. This Hadith was an advance warning because the Prophet was inspired by God, so he knew the future. God, has seen the future, inspired this to Prophet Muhammad, that the community would be led by liars in different sects. The Prophet already warned us, so we should not follow any of these sects.

To further emphasize the significance of following the Prophet’s teachings, I can provide additional references:

1. Sahih Muslim 2531: This Hadith narrated by Abu Burda states that the Prophet Muhammad led his companions in prayer, and they expressed their desire to continue praying with him. The Prophet acknowledged their good intentions and, while looking at the sky, made a comparison between the stars providing security to the sky and himself being a source of safety and security to his companions. He mentioned that when he would be gone, his companions would serve as a source of security for the Ummah (Muslim community), as they were promised.
2. Sahih al-Bukhari 3606: In this Hadith narrated by Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman, he asked the Prophet Muhammad about the possibility of evil after the present good. The Prophet confirmed the occurrence of future evil and described that there would be people who deviate from his teachings and lead others astray. He mentioned that these individuals would be from within the Muslim community and speak the same language. Hudhaifa inquired about the course of action in such circumstances, and the Prophet advised him to adhere to the group of Muslims and their leader. In the absence of a specific group or leader, he instructed to distance oneself from all the different sects, even if it meant isolating oneself until meeting Allah in that state.

These references demonstrate the importance of following the Prophet Muhammad’s example and guidance through the actions of his companions. They serve as a reminder to seek unity within the Muslim community, adhere to the teachings of the Prophet, and avoid divisive sects or groups that deviate from his tradition. By following the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad and his companions, Muslims can strive for unity, sound guidance, and the preservation of the true teachings of Islam.

Additional Information

The mentioned Hadith is a prediction made by Prophet Muhammad. He had knowledge that people would create their own sects according to their free will. In anticipation of this, Prophet Muhammad warned us in advance about the existence of 73 sects and also provided guidance on how to protect ourselves from them.