WHY ARE MUSLIMS DIVIDED INTO SECTS / DIFFERENT SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT? Question: When all the Muslim follow one and the same Qur’an then why are there so many sects and different schools of thoughts among Muslims? Answer: 1. Muslims Should be United It is a fact that Muslims today, are divided amongst themselves on the basis of Region such as shaik, mughal,pathan,sayyed. And some on the basis of practices. The tragedy is that such divisions are not endorsed by Islam at all. Islam believes in fostering unity amongst its followers. The Glorious Qur’an says: “And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves;” [Al-Qur’an 3:103] Which is the rope of Allah that is being referred to in this verse? It is the Glorious Qur’an. The Glorious Qur’an is the rope of Allah which all Muslims should hold fast together. There is double emphasis in this verse. Besides saying ‘hold fast all together’ it also says, ‘be not divided’. Qur’an further says, “Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger” [Al-Qur’an 4:59] All the Muslim should follow the Qur’an and authentic ahadith and be not divided among themselves. Islam is the symbol of universal brotherhood: Al-Qur’an 4:1 2. It is Prohibited to make sects and divisions in Islam The Glorious Qur’an says: “As for those who divide Their religion and break up into sects, thou hast no part in them in the least: Their affair is with Allah: He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did.” [Al-Qur’an 6:159] In this verse Allah (swt) says that one should disassociate oneself from those who divide their religion and break it up into sects. But when one asks a Muslim, “who are you?”, the common answer is either ‘I Am a Sunni, or ‘I am Shia’. Some call themselves Hanafi, or Shafi or Maliki or Humbali. Some say ‘I am a Deobandi’, while some others say ‘I am a Barelvi’. And Al-Qur’an 23:53 Initially all people were in only one deen. Later on when conflicts arises Allah had sent down his messengers with clear instructions(books) To remove conflicts. some people were convinced &changed bcoz of Allah’s Hidaayath. Still some remained as it is. Al-Qur’an 2:213 3. Our Prophet was a Muslim One may ask such Muslims, “Who was our beloved prophet (pbuh)? Was he a Hanafi or a Shafi, or a Humbali or a Maliki?” No! He was a Muslim, like all the other prophets and messengers of Allah before him. It is mentioned in chapter 3 verse 52 of Al-Qur’an that Jesus (pbuh) was a Muslim. Further, in chapter 3 verse 67, Al-Qur’an says that Ibrahim (pbuh) was not a Jew or a Christian but was a Muslim. 1.HAZARAT NOOH ALIHISSALAM is a muslim Al-Qur’an 10:72 2.IBRAHIM Alhissalam is a muslim Al-Qur’an 3:67; 2:131 3.yousuf Alihissalam is a muslim Al-Qur’an 12:101 4. Qur’an says call yourselves Muslim a. If anyone poses a Muslim the question who are you, he should say “I am a MUSLIM, not a Hanafi or a Shafi”. Surah Fussilat chapter 41 verse 33 says “Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness, and says, ‘I am of those Who bow in Islam (Muslim)?’ ” [Al-Qur’an 41:33] The Qur’an says “Say I am of those who bow in Islam”. In other words, say, “I am a Muslim”. b. The Prophet (pbuh) dictated letters to non-Muslim kings and rulers inviting them to accept Islam. In these letters he mentioned the verse of the Qur’an from Surah Ali Imran chapter 3 verse 64: Say ye: “Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah’s Will).” [Al-Qur’an 3:64] Al-Qur’an 21:92,93 Definition of “ MUSLIM” Muslim is a person who submits his will to Almighty(ALLAH). In other words who leads his life according to the commandments (Qur’aan & authentic hadeeth) of ALLAH(swa) Unfortunately today mosque’s are being constructing on the basis of jamaath, Indeed masjid is the symbol for unity. Most of the people those who have little/half knowledge used to say that my jamaat is sunnat,and some says am Hadeet jamaat. And making sects/groups in DEEN. All such people should know that both HADEETH&SUNNATH both are same and having equal weight ¬ different. What is Hadeeth? HADEETH refers to “SENTENCE” which is in the form of theoretical. i.e, Sentence of prophet Mohammed(pbuh) is called “HADEETH” What is SUNNAH/SUNNATH? Sunnath refers to “practical/procedure” i.e, how to do a fundamental(namaaj,roja,jakaat,haj) of islam in practically.. When the HADEETH which is in the form of sentence/theory is put into action then we call it as SUNNATH. Some used to say that “ I follow only QUR’AN but not HADEETH.. Such people should remember that both QUR’AN&HADEETH are word/books of ALLAH and having equal importance. And they can’t be a complete muslim until unless they follow both. The book HADEETH is the description of fundamentals(NAMAAJ/SALAAT,ROJA,ZAKAT,HAJ) of QUR’AN. Some people used to say proudly that “I am SAYYED and some says I am PATHAN/SHAIK/KHAADRI,,,,,,…..etc. Such people should remember that “ALLAH will never judge/ gives importance based on our region, color, caste, economical status, our designation on the earth… But Allah judges /gives importance to our NIYYAT, Riches deeds (nayke AAMAAl),TAQWAA,PARHEJGAAR. AL-QUR’AN 49:13; 3:110 We’ve to respect our parents but we should not blindly follow our parents without justifying/analyzing their path in the light of Qur’an& Authentic Hadeeth. Ibrahim Alihissalam is the good example for this which is mentioned in the Quran 43:26,27,22,23; 2:170,171 ; 31:20,21; 9:23,24; 3:28,118 5:51; 31:20,21; 58:22 Consequences of blindly followers Al-Quran 31:20,21; 7:38,39; 25:26-29; 34:32,33; 41:29 5. Respect all the Great Scholars of Islam We must respect all the great scholars of Islam, including the four Imaams, Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Shafi, Imam Humbal and Imam Malik (may Allah be pleased with them all). They were great scholars and may Allah reward them for their research and hardwork. One can have no objection if someone agrees with the views and research of Imam Abu Hanifa or Imam Shafi, etc. But when posed a question, ‘who are you?’, the reply should only be ‘I am a Muslim’. Some may argue by quoting the hadith of our beloved Prophet from Sunan Abu Dawood Hadith No. 4579. In this hadith the prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said, “My community will be split up into seventy-three sects.” This hadith reports that the prophet predicted the emergence of seventy-three sects. He did not say that Muslims should be active in dividing themselves into sects. The Glorious Qur’an commands us not to create sects. Those who follow the teachings of the Qur’an and Sahih Hadith, and do not create sects are the people who are on the true path. According to Tirmidhi Hadith No. 171, the prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said, “My Umma will be fragmented into seventy-three sects, and all of them will be in Hell fire except one sect.” The companions asked Allah’s messenger which group that would be. Where upon he replied, “It is the one to which I and my companions belong.” The Glorious Qur’an mentions in several verses, “Obey Allah and obey His Messenger”. A true Muslim should only follow the Glorious Qur’an and the Sahih Hadith. He can agree with the views of any scholar as long as they conform to the teachings of the Qur’an and Sahih Hadith. If such views go against the Word of Allah, or the Sunnah of His Prophet, then they carry no weight, regardless of how learned the scholar might be. If only all Muslims read the Qur’an with understanding and adhere to Sahih Hadith, Inshallah most of these differences would be solved and we could be one united Muslim Ummah. Conclusion: The solution for all the problems is mentioned in the glorious QUR’AN 1)“obey ALLAH and obey his messenger” Al-Qur’an 4:159 Here obey refers to “follow” the books QUR’AN& Authentic Hadeeth. 2) O ye believers! Be obedient to Allah& his messenger, khalifa’s too. If any conflict arises in case of any matter ,turn that problem towards Allah& his Messenger, if you really believe in Allah& day of judgement. It’s the best way. Here turn that problem towards Allah&his messenger refers to check, analyze& understand Qur’an&Authentic Hadeeth if any conflicts arises. frm a wel wisher of muslim ummah
Posted on: Tue, 20 Aug 2013 06:59:56 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015