Divisions in Islam: A Brief Overview

We concluded in the previous portion of this series that Muslims have traditionally used two main sources to arrive at truth: The Qur'an and the example (sunnah) of the Prophet Muhammad, upon whom be peace and blessings. All major groups agree on this point and further believe that the Qur'an is the word of Allah and has not been altered or manipulated since its revelation over 1400 years ago. The earliest divisions within the Ummah, however, are primarily the disputes over the methods of narrating Prophetic traditions.

Over the years, these divisions became religious "sects" that became permanent fixtures in the Ummah. Other divisions arose from factors outside of the two sources mentioned earlier. Among those divisions are:

1. Political Factions - Those who support various leaders for political vs. religious reasons

2. Racial, Ethnic, and National divisions - Racial and National identity placed higher than Islamic ID

3. Social groups and class systems - The rich feel superior to the poor and neglect spending in charity.

4. Theological differences - The learned scholars have often differed on more than just jurisprudence

5. Interpretation and Jurisprudence - Scholars are followed according to their way of interpreting texts

The list can certainly be longer, but we will concentrate on these dividing factors because they are the most significant among Muslims today.

Geography alone testifies to the fact that the largest dividing factor currently affecting Muslims is Political Authority. There are at least 55 countries where Muslims make up the majority and countless more where Muslims make up a minority. In 1924, the last remnants of the khilafa (Islamic State) were carved up and distributed among European colonial powers. Political leadership became necessary after these countries separated from the colonial powers and became "independent nations." In reality, they had not achieved independence. Their future had been mapped by the influence of western political thought. As a result, the pride in race, ethnicity, and nationality became greater among Muslims, although these ideas are foreign to Islam.

As the westernized Muslim nations grew, they experimented with various western political ideologies such as socialism, capitalism, fascism, and even democracy. The result of this was widespread poverty, starvation, social injustices, crime, and civil unrest. Many revolutionary groups began forming in places such as Egypt, Algeria, the Sudan, and other places in attempts to reinstate Islam as the main factor in political affairs of their respective countries. Many Muslims never lost their desire to establish justice through Islam. Many leaders were assassinated and many governments were overturned. One corrupt government, however, usually was succeeded by another equally corrupt government under the guise of Islam.

In 1979, the people of Iran decided to make a change. Under the leadership of Imam Khomeni, they removed injustice (the shah) from power and established the Islamic Republic of Iran. The western powers saw the danger of this and immediately took action. Iraq, supported by the US, attacked Iran. In defense, Iran fought for several years feeling that they were upholding Islam. In reality, both countries were upholding the wishes of the western powers: to keep Muslims divided. It was portrayed as a battle between sunni and shi'ite, though this played no role in Iraq's decision to initiate the war (Iraq being home to a significant number of shi'a).

It was through this division that theological differences resurfaced. Suddenly the divisions that had taken place immediately after the death of the Prophet (saws) were now being magnified by a division initiated by the US and its allies. Instead of ignoring the attempts to divide us, gullible Muslims have latched on to this concept of divide and conquer.

The current generation of Muslims must now decide between seeing their differences as matters of jurisprudence and interpretation or seeing them as "the saved sect" vs. "the sects condemned to hell-fire." Their choice could very well determine the fate of the Ummah. Allah knows best.

"And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah's favour on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make His Signs clear to you: That ye may be guided." Qur'an 3:103

NOTE: This is only a brief overview of the divisions among Muslims. A more in-depth look at the events in history that shaped the Ummah can be found in many collections of books. For more information on obtaining any of these books. Please contact oneummah@oneummah.net