The Straight Path: A Muslim with No Sect

The straightest path an individual can take in life is that of Islam. Not Islam laced with whims and caprices; an Islam endorsed by the Prophet (SAW), an Islam with great emphasis on unity, compassion and progress.

In some sphere, Muslims are divided between two houses; the house of segregation and the house of integration.

The house of segregation is anchored in the idea that Muslims must separate into sects and sub-sects and embrace insularity. Members of the house of segregation do not mind drawing blood to maintain their stand. For most of its members, the notion of ‘survival of the fittest’ is sacrosanct.

The house of integration believes separation is insidious, and Muslims must work in synergy to make laudable progress. The major Muslims in the house of integration are those identify as Muslim and Muslim alone. They refuse to do nomenclatures and most importantly; they reject the Sunni/Shia tags albeit having certain spiritual preferences.

Observations and small scale surveys show that the vast majority of people who believe in Allah and His Messenger (SAW) actually belong to the house of integration. It has gotten heated in recent years between the two houses with the house of segregation being they major aggressors.

Muslims who refuse to be tagged have come under vicious attack by sectarianists (members of the house of segregation). These Muslims, who are apparently the majority, are called weak Muslims. In some cases, they are targets of excommunication rhetoric despite having more scriptural points to stand on. Secterianists endeavor to engender despair and despondency in ‘pure’ Muslims by means of acerbic and pejorative remarks.

This piece is an espousal for the position of the house of integration.

What the Qur’an Says About Sects

A good way of discerning the moral standard of something is observing the ilk of things it is linked to. All the times Allah (SWT) talks about usury in the Qur’an, it is mentioned in relation to His disobedient slaves. Even without outright denouncements, this connotes disapproval for that activity. The same is applies to the creation of sects; it is always mentioned apposite the deviants and innovators.

Allah says in Suratul An-Am (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."

In another set of verses, Allah says in Suratul Rum (30:30-32) “So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created [all] people. No change should there be in the creation of Allah. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.

[Adhere to it], turning in repentance to Him, and fear Him and establish prayer and do not be of those who associate others with Allah.

[Or] of those who have divided their religion and become sects, every faction rejoicing in what it has."

This 32^nd verse shows how feeble minded sectarianists are; they rejoice over peanuts when they could actually get whole pies if they would collaborate with others.

In another verse, Allah tells us the true reason behind people deciding to break away from the community to create sects; quest for power, wealth and influence.

Allah says in Suratul Shura (42:40) “And they did not become divided until after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between themselves. And if not for a word that proceeded from your Lord [postponing the penalty] until a specified time, it would have been concluded between them. And indeed, those who were granted inheritance of the Scripture after them are, concerning it, in disquieting doubt.”

Arguments of the Sectarianists

Proponents of sectarianism however put forth some defense for their stance.

They site that Muhammad (SAW) already predicted the formation of sects ergo; it is silly for anyone to resist their existence. The statement in reference here is the Hadith below.

The Prophet (SAW) said, “My Ummah will split into seventy-three sects, all of whom will be in Hell except one group.” They said: Who are they, O Messenger of Allah? He said: “(Those who follow) that which I and my companions follow.”

To refute this concept perception is like taking candy from a baby. Simple study of Islam shows that a prediction is not necessarily an approval.

As part of signs of the Last Hour, Muhammad (SAW) predicted that “The buttocks of the women of the tribe of Daws will again sway in circumambulation (tawaf) around the idol Dhul-Khulsah" (Sahih Bukhari, Vol 9: book 88: 232)

What do we espy from this? Should there be an attempt by a group of harlots to obtain ingress to the Ka’abah, would we approve of it because it was already predicted? Others might but, Muslims would definitely not.

Still on this Hadith, we see that you have to follow that which Muhammad (SAW) and the Sahaba followed to be counted among the saved. Last time I checked, asides the name ‘Muslim’, Muhammad (SAW) and the Sahaba never had any other name. In other words, Muhammad (SAW) never had a Sunni or Shiite acquaintance.

Another argument put forth to endorse sectarianism is that every Muslim automatically belongs to a sect because ‘no sect’ is also a sect.

This point of view is in the least blasphemous. What is the idea being expressed here? They might not realize it but, what they are saying is that ‘Allah contradicted Himself by telling Muslims not to do what He knows is legal’.

The Identity 'Muslim' is Mentioned in the Qur'an

It is the height of ignorance and avarice to insult people for choosing to identify as ‘Muslim’. Allah (SWT) Himself gave us the name ‘Muslims’. Muslims are the only religious people in the world whose identity is mentioned in their scripture.

Allah says in Suratul Hajj (22:78) “And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. [It is] the religion of your father, Abraham. Allah named you “Muslims” before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer and give zakah and hold fast to Allah. He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper.”

Logical Reasons to Reject Sects

Hatred and Animosity: Sects thrive on the exuberance and ingenuousness of the youth. The easiest way to keep the youth engaged in sectarianism is to ennoble hatred for members of other sects.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Do not envy each other, do not outbid each other, do not hate each other, do not turn away from each other, and do not outsell each other. Rather, be servants of Allah as brothers. The Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. He does not wrong him, nor humiliates him, nor look down upon him. Righteousness is here,” and he pointed to his chest three times. The Prophet said, “It is enough evil for a man to look down upon his Muslim brother. The entirety of the Muslim is sacred to another Muslim: his life, his wealth, and his reputation.”

There is no sect in the world that does not violate this Hadith.

Similarities between Cultism and Sectarianism: Drawing similarities between cultism and sectarianism might seem hyperbolic but, on a closer look; it is pellucid that the same forces that drive cultism drive sectarianism.

• Cultists Kill Each Other: It is no news that members of different sects kill one another. The Taliban and ISIS kill each other in Afghanistan, ISWAP and Boko Haram kill each other in Nigeria; and of course- the Sunni/Shi’a war is constantly on.
• Cultist Do Not Care About The Society: Cultists do not mind setting the community on fire so long as their cult is saved; the same applies to sectarianists. Muslims are among the most deprived and destitute people in the world yet; you never see any sect taking it upon itself to obviate any of the numerous indabas. All they care about is their membership base.
• Rich Heads and Poor Followers: As was mentioned inter alia, sects are never formed with the interest of the community at heart. They are formed to enrich and ennoble a selected few; the so-called heads.

Dear Muslims, hold on to the path of truth so that you will be saved. Hold on to the Pillars of Islam, the Articles of Faith, curtail sinning and seize every opportunity to be of use to the community; Muslim or non-Muslim.

I conclude with this Hadith.

Jabir reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “The believer is friendly and befriended, for there is no goodness in one who is neither friendly, nor befriended. The best of people are those who are most beneficial to people.”

May Allah grant us ease.