The Illusion of Sectarian Superiority: A Call to Reflect

By New Age Islam Staff Writer 27 November 2024 Challenging the Roots of Division among Muslims through Quranic Guidance and Personal Accountability In the following, I present a translation of an Urdu article titled " Curse of Sectarianism among Muslims مسلمانوں میں فرقہ بندی کی لعنت written by Mr. Gulzar Sahrai. This article delves into the deep divisions within the Muslim Ummah caused by sectarianism, highlighting its damaging effects and urging readers to reflect on the pressing need for unity in light of the Quran and Hadith. This translation seeks to bring this crucial message to a broader audience, shedding light on a critical issue facing the Muslim Ummah today: the entrenched divisions that have fragmented our community into numerous sects. It aims to provoke reflection and inspire unity by addressing the following key points: 1. Current Divisions: Muslims are divided into multiple sects, with each claiming to possess the ultimate truth. These divisions weaken the collective strength of the Ummah and foster unnecessary conflicts. 2. Urgent Need for Unity: In today’s world, where Muslims face immense challenges—from political instability to social injustices—unity is more vital than ever. Allah ﷻ explicitly commands us to hold firmly to His rope and avoid division. 3. Improving Our Collective Status: Sectarianism stalls progress by fixating on internal disputes rather than addressing urgent global issues. A united Ummah can better embody the teachings of Islam, enhance its global standing, and contribute to the welfare of humanity. 4. Personal Responsibility: Salvation does not lie in merely belonging to a particular sect but in individual piety, understanding, and adherence to the Quran and hadith. This article underscores that personal reform and a sincere commitment to authentic Islam are the true paths to success. This translation reminds us that unity, guided by the Quran and Sunnah, is the key to the Ummah’s success. It is a call to rise above divisions and work collectively for the greater good of the Ummah and humanity at large. ----- Curse of Sectarianism among Muslims By Gulzar Sahrai, Tr. New Age Islam Dear Reader, The division among Muslims has become so deeply rooted that it is now almost inconceivable for one to imagine being a Muslim without subscribing to a particular sect. Each sect’s leaders harbour the delusion that their group alone is on the path of truth and destined for Paradise, while all others are misguided and destined for Hell. To justify this, they often refer to the hadith that predicts the division of the Muslim Ummah into 73 sects. However, this hadith is, in reality, a warning rather than a directive. The Quran explicitly commands the opposite, prohibiting division and calling for unity, as stated: ‘And hold firmly to the rope of Allāh, all together, and do not become divided.’ (Al-Quran al-Hakim, Surah Aal-e-‘Imran, Chapter 3, Verse 103) In another verse, the Quran further emphasizes: ‘Indeed, those who have divided their religion and become sects—you, [O Mustafa peace be upon him], 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.’ (Al-Quran al-Hakim, Surah Al-Anaam, Chapter 6, Verse 159) After these clear injunctions of the Quran, there remains no justification for sectarianism. Yet, those religious leaders who ordinarily reject direct derivation of rulings from hadith and advocate for adherence to a particular juristic school conveniently disregard the Quran’s explicit guidance in this matter. They misinterpret the hadith’s warning of division by focusing solely on its literal words, treating it as a directive rather than a caution. Not only do they accept it as such, but they also exert all their efforts to validate sectarianism. As a result, their followers remain deluded, believing that the sect they belong to is the only one on the path of truth and destined for Paradise. These sectarian leaders, whose vested interests thrive on this division, may never change, as it sustains their authority and livelihoods. However, the masses must reflect—what false sense of security are you living under? Even if we accept the literal words of the hadith and acknowledge that the foretold reality is bound to unfold—that only one sect will enter Paradise while the remaining 72 will end up in Hell—how can you be so certain that the sect you were born into is the one destined for Paradise? This belief is merely an assumption, not based on any scholarly research or evidence. If, Allāh forbid, the reality turns out to be the opposite, and the sect you adhered to all your life, blindly following its teachings, turns out to be among the 72 doomed sects, what will you do then? Have you ever considered this possibility? If not, it is time to reflect. Instead of remaining complacent in the delusion of having been born into the "saved" sect, focus on your personal reform. For this, it is essential to consciously connect with the Quran and hadith, strive to understand their teachings, and live your life accordingly. Your salvation lies in your individual deeds, not merely in being born into or affiliating with a particular sect. ---- Urdu Article: Curse of Sectarianism among Muslims مسلمانوں میں فرقہ بندی کی لعنت URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-sectarianism/illusion-sectarian-superiority-reflect/d/133834 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism