Is Sectarianism Kufr and Shirk?

بسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیم

إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ، نَحْمَدُهُ وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ، مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ، وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، أَمَّا بَعْدُ

ٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ حَقَّ تُقٰتِهٖ وَ لَا تَمُوْتُنَّ اِلَّا وَ اَنْتُمْ مُّسْلِمُوْنَ۰۰۱۰۲وَ اعْتَصِمُوْا بِحَبْلِ اللّٰهِ جَمِيْعًا وَّ لَا تَفَرَّقُوْا ۔ ۔ ۔

[آل عمران: 102-103]

O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him. And hold firmly to the rope of Allah and do not be divided.

In these verses, Allah Almighty has commanded the believers to do three things.

* That you should not die in such a state that you are not a Muslim (obedient) to Allah. It means your whole life, your recognition should be Muslim, and your action must be obedient/submissive.

* That you must hold on to the rope of Allah, i.e. the Quran, live your life according to the principles and laws stated in the Quran and explained in the form of authentic hadiths. It means that your belief and actions must be by the Qur’an.

* The third commandment is that you should not divide into sects.

The sect derives from the word “difference”, which means to separate/split. In other words, a sect belongs to a group of individuals that disputes and segregate itself from the Jammat (assemblage of believer). To become sectarian means to separate, divide, split. Why? a sect is formed, Allah says:

وَ لَا تَكُوْنُوْا كَالَّذِيْنَ تَفَرَّقُوْا وَ اخْتَلَفُوْا مِنْۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ الْبَيِّنٰتُ١ؕ وَ اُولٰٓىِٕكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيْمٌۙ۰۰۱۰۵

[آل عمران: 105]

And do not be like those who split ˹into sects˺ and differed after clear proofs had come to them. It is they who will suffer a tremendous punishment.

وَ مَا تَفَرَّقُوْۤا اِلَّا مِنْۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ الْعِلْمُ بَغْيًۢا بَيْنَهُمْ

[الشورى: 14]

They did not split ˹into sects˺ out of mutual envy until knowledge came to them….

It is evident that splitting into sects was not out of ignorance, but due to their mutual indifferences and stubbornness, even though after the knowledge came, they divided into sects. It further states in the Quran.

كَانَ النَّاسُ اُمَّةً وَّاحِدَةً١۫ فَبَعَثَ اللّٰهُ النَّبِيّٖنَ مُبَشِّرِيْنَ وَ مُنْذِرِيْنَ١۪ وَ اَنْزَلَ مَعَهُمُ الْكِتٰبَ بِالْحَقِّ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ فِيْمَا اخْتَلَفُوْا فِيْهِ١ؕ وَ مَا اخْتَلَفَ فِيْهِ اِلَّا الَّذِيْنَ اُوْتُوْهُ مِنْۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَتْهُمُ الْبَيِّنٰتُ بَغْيًۢا بَيْنَهُمْ١ۚ فَهَدَى اللّٰهُ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا لِمَا اخْتَلَفُوْا فِيْهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِاِذْنِهٖ١ؕ وَ اللّٰهُ يَهْدِيْ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ اِلٰى صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيْمٍ۰۰۲۱۳

[البقرة: 213]

Mankind was [of] one religion [before their deviation]; then Allah sent the prophets as bringers of good tidings and warners and sent down with them the Scripture in truth to judge between the people concerning that in which they differed. And none differed over it [i.e., the Scripture] except those who were given it – after the clear proofs came to them – out of jealous animosity among themselves. And Allah guided those who believed to the truth concerning that over which they had differed, by His permission. And Allah guides whom He wills to a straight path.

It means they differed after clear evidence came. In reality, this difference was with what Allah had revealed. Clear Proof came but, one accepted it, the other denied and disagreed with it, stubbornness occurred due to mutual conflict, they left and became a separate group this is what is called a sect. Those who believed did not disagree with this, meaning they agreed with what Allah revealed, and they kept their belief and acted upon it accordingly.

In the verse of Surah Al-Imran 3:102 Allah Almighty had also commanded:

وَ لَا تَمُوْتُنَّ اِلَّا وَ اَنْتُمْ مُّسْلِمُوْنَ

…and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him].

Those who believe in Allah, His Messenger (ﷺ), and the Qur’an and Hadith, Allah has designated them as one nation and a group and has named them “Muslims”.

هُوَ سَمّٰىكُمُ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ١ۙ۬ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَ فِيْ هٰذَا

[الحج: 78]

He [i.e., Allah] named you “Muslims” before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation]

It is clear from these verses of the Qur’an that Allah Almighty has given the same name to those who embraced Islam in every era, i.e. “Muslims” (Muslimeen), the singular of that, is “Muslim”. Allah has commanded: O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him].

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

حَدَّثَنَا آدَمُ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي ذِئْبٍ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ كُلُّ مَوْلُودٍ يُولَدُ عَلَى الْفِطْرَةِ، فَأَبَوَاهُ يُهَوِّدَانِهِ أَوْ يُنَصِّرَانِهِ أَوْ يُمَجِّسَانِهِ، كَمَثَلِ الْبَهِيمَةِ تُنْتَجُ الْبَهِيمَةَ، هَلْ تَرَى فِيهَا جَدْعَاءَ ‏”‏‏.

( بخاری، کتاب الجنائز، بَابُ مَا قِيلَ فِي أَوْلاَدِ المُشْرِكِينَ )

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Every child is born with a true faith of Islam (i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone) and his parents convert him to Judaism or Christianity or Magianism, as an animal delivers a perfect baby animal. Do you find it mutilated?”

(Sahih Bukhari, Funerals (Al-Janaa’iz), Chapter: The (dead) children of Al-Mushrikun)

Therefore, every child born is Muslim, his parents turn him towards the religion that belongs to them. It happens even now the child is born on Fitrah natural disposition. His parents convert this surrendered believer to Sunni Shia Hanafi Maliki Shafi’i Hanbali Deobandi Barelvi Ahle-Hadith Salafi Aga-Khani, Bohri and the list goes on.

Sectarianism is a form of punishment from Allah:

قُلْ هُوَ الْقَادِرُ عَلٰۤى اَنْ يَّبْعَثَ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابًا مِّنْ فَوْقِكُمْ اَوْ مِنْ تَحْتِ اَرْجُلِكُمْ اَوْ يَلْبِسَكُمْ شِيَعًا وَّ يُذِيْقَ بَعْضَكُمْ بَاْسَ بَعْضٍ١ؕ اُنْظُرْ كَيْفَ نُصَرِّفُ الْاٰيٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَفْقَهُوْنَ۰۰۶۵

[الأنعام: 65]

Say, “He ˹alone˺ has the power to unleash upon you a torment from above or below you or split you into ˹conflicting˺ factions and make you taste the violence of one another.” See how We vary the signs, so perhaps they will comprehend.

This, what is happening today. The declarers of oath testimony (Kalma/Shahada) divided into sects beheading each other is currently a clear example of the war between Sunnis and Shias in Syria in which Russia has also openly bombed Sunnis. Many incidents in Pakistan occurred places of worship of some sects burnt down, on other occasions, people killed each other. It is the punishment of Allah that the sects taste the violence of one another.

Sectarians have nothing to do with the Prophet (ﷺ):

اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ فَرَّقُوْا دِيْنَهُمْ وَ كَانُوْا شِيَعًا لَّسْتَ مِنْهُمْ فِيْ شَيْءٍ١ؕ اِنَّمَاۤ اَمْرُهُمْ اِلَى اللّٰهِ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوْا يَفْعَلُوْنَ۰۰۱۵۹

[الأنعام: 159]

Indeed, you ˹O Prophet˺ are not responsible whatsoever for those who have divided their faith and split into sects. Their judgment rests only with Allah. And He will inform them of what they used to do.

Allah Almighty said those who belong to sects and divided their religion have nothing to do with the Prophet ﷺ. Think what will happen when such people look forward to seeking intercession from the Prophet ﷺ on the Day of Resurrection. It will announce by Allah that they have nothing to do with the Prophet ﷺ. Remember that the one who has nothing to do with the Prophet ﷺ will not be able to go to Paradise.

Sectarianism is act of polytheism:

مُنِيْبِيْنَ اِلَيْهِ وَ اتَّقُوْهُ وَ اَقِيْمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَ لَا تَكُوْنُوْا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِيْنَۙ۰۰۳۱مِنَ الَّذِيْنَ فَرَّقُوْا دِيْنَهُمْ وَ كَانُوْا شِيَعًا١ؕ كُلُّ حِزْبٍۭ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ فَرِحُوْنَ۰۰۳۲

[الروم: 31-32]

˹O believers!˺ Always turn to Him ˹in repentance˺, be mindful of Him, and establish prayers. And do not be polytheists—˹like˺ those who have divided their faith and split into sects, each rejoicing in what they have.

It is cleared in the Qur’an and Hadith that whoever dies on polytheism, his forgiveness is not possible with Allah Almighty, Paradise is forbidden for him forever, and his eternal abode is Hell. Allah forgive me for this استغفر اللہ من ذالک

We presented evidence from the Qur’an that sectarianism is a denial of the commandment of Allah Almighty and is an act of polytheism. The people who are part of the sects have nothing to do with the Prophet (ﷺ) peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Now we will present sayings of the Prophet (ﷺ) in regards to this matter.

حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو إِدْرِيسَ الْخَوْلَانِيُّ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ حُذَيْفَةَ بْنَ الْيَمَانِ يَقُولُ کَانَ النَّاسُ يَسْأَلُونَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّی اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنْ الْخَيْرِ وَکُنْتُ أَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ الشَّرِّ مَخَافَةَ أَنْ يُدْرِکَنِي

( بخاری ۔ کتاب الفتن ، باب الامر اذالم تکن جماعۃ )

Narrated Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman: The people used to ask Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) about the good but I used to ask him about the evil lest I should be overtaken by them.

فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا کُنَّا فِي جَاهِلِيَّةٍ وَشَرٍّ فَجَائَنَا اللَّهُ بِهَذَا الْخَيْرِ فَهَلْ بَعْدَ هَذَا الْخَيْرِ مِنْ شَرٍّ

So I said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! We were living in ignorance and in an (extremely) worst atmosphere, then Allah brought to us this good (i.e., Islam); will there be any evil after this good?”

قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ وَهَلْ بَعْدَ ذَلِکَ الشَّرِّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ

He said, “Yes.” I said, ‘Will there be any good after that evil?”

قَالَ نَعَمْ وَفِيهِ دَخَنٌ قُلْتُ وَمَا دَخَنُهُ قَالَ قَوْمٌ يَهْدُونَ بِغَيْرِ هَدْيِي تَعْرِفُ مِنْهُمْ وَتُنْکِرُ

He replied, “Yes, but it will be tainted (not pure.)” I asked, “What will be its taint?” He replied, “(There will be) some people who will guide others not according to my tradition? You will approve of some of their deeds and disapprove of some others.”

قُلْتُ فَهَلْ بَعْدَ ذَلِکَ الْخَيْرِ مِنْ شَرٍّ قَالَ نَعَمْ دُعَاةٌ إِلَی أَبْوَابِ جَهَنَّمَ مَنْ أَجَابَهُمْ إِلَيْهَا قَذَفُوهُ فِيهَا

I asked, “Will there be any evil after that good?” He replied, “Yes, (there will be) some people calling at the gates of the (Hell) Fire, and whoever will respond to their call, will be thrown by them into the (Hell) Fire.”

قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صِفْهُمْ لَنَا فَقَالَ هُمْ مِنْ جِلْدَتِنَا وَيَتَکَلَّمُونَ بِأَلْسِنَتِنَا

I said, “O Allah s Apostle! Will you describe them to us?” He said, “They will be from our own people and will speak our language.”

قُلْتُ فَمَا تَأْمُرُنِي إِنْ أَدْرَکَنِي ذَلِکَ قَالَ تَلْزَمُ جَمَاعَةَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَإِمَامَهُمْ

I said, “What do you order me to do if such a state should take place in my life?” He said, “Stick to the group of Muslims and their Imam.”

قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَکُنْ لَهُمْ جَمَاعَةٌ وَلَا إِمَامٌ

I said, “If there is neither a group of Muslims nor an Imam?”

قَالَ فَاعْتَزِلْ تِلْکَ الْفِرَقَ کُلَّهَا وَلَوْ أَنْ تَعَضَّ بِأَصْلِ شَجَرَةٍ حَتَّی يُدْرِکَکَ الْمَوْتُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَی ذَلِکَ

He said, “Then turn away from all those sects even if you were to bite (eat) the roots of a tree till death overtakes you while you are in that state.”

(Sahih Bukhari, Book of Afflictions and the End of the World, Chapter: If there is no righteous group)

It is evident from this hadith that there will be a time of evil in which there will be people who will be from our religion and will seem to be talking about religion like us, but whoever responds to their calls will lead them to hell. The Prophet (ﷺ) commanded his ummah to connect to the Jamaat al-Muslimeen in such conditions, stick to the group and their Imam who are Muslims. It is not the group name but attribution and is the party of Muslims. And when the companion asked: O Prophet (ﷺ), what should they do if there is no such a party and no such an Imam? He said, “Then turn away from all those sects even if you were to bite (eat) the roots of a tree till death overtakes you while you are in that state.”

لَتَتَّبِعُنَّ سَنَنَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِکُمْ شِبْرًا بِشِبْرٍ وَذِرَاعًا بِذِرَاعٍ حَتَّی لَوْ دَخَلُوا فِي جُحْرِ ضَبٍّ لَاتَّبَعْتُمُوهُمْ قُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ آلْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَی قَالَ فَمَنْ

( بخاری ، کتاب الاحادیث الانبیاء ، بَابُ مَا ذُكِرَ عَنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ )

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “You will follow the wrong ways, of your predecessors so completely and literally that if they should go into the hole of a mastigure, you too will go there.” We said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Do you mean the Jews and the Christians?” He replied, “Whom else?” (Meaning, of course, the Jews and the Christians.)

(Sahih Bukhari, Prophets, Chapter: What has been said about Bani Israel)

إِنَّ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ افْتَرَقَتْ عَلَى إِحْدَى وَسَبْعِينَ فِرْقَةً، وَإِنَّ أُمَّتِي سَتَفْتَرِقُ عَلَى ثِنْتَيْنِ وَسَبْعِينَ فِرْقَةً، كُلُّهَا فِي النَّارِ، إِلَّا وَاحِدَةً وَهِيَ: الْجَمَاعَةُ

It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

‘The Children of Israel split into seventy-one sects, and my nation will split into seventy-two, all of which will be in Hell apart from one, which is the Jammat (Assemblage of correct believer).”

(Sunan Ibn Majah, Tribulations, Chapter: The division of nations)

This what Allah has forbidden in Surah Al-Rum: And do not be polytheists وَلَا تَكُونُوا مِنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ in the very next verse one of the traits of polytheist mentioned as said: ˹like˺ those who have divided their faith and split into sects مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ فَرَّقُواْ دِينَهُمۡ وَكَانُواْ شِيَعٗاۖ’ This means, this is the very same polytheistic act that the Jews and the Christians performed, so, whosoever adopts this practice will also become one of the polytheists. It declared in the hadith that all of them will go to hell, except one. When it inquired about that particular one, said Al Jammat, meaning the group of Muslims. As the Prophet (ﷺ) commanded, affiliate with the Jammat of Muslims and its Imam, meaning during the time of sectarianism, the only ‘assemblage of Muslims’ will be the only group who will enter Paradise, called Al Jammat (the group). The group whose beliefs and deeds are only according to the commands of Allah and His Messenger. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

لاَ يَزَالُ مِنْ أُمَّتِي أُمَّةٌ قَائِمَةٌ بِأَمْرِ اللَّهِ، لاَ يَضُرُّهُمْ مَنْ خَذَلَهُمْ، وَلاَ مَنْ خَالَفَهُمْ، حَتَّى يَأْتِيَهُمْ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ وَهُمْ عَلَى ذَلِكَ

( بخاری کتاب المناقب )

Narrated Muawiya: I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, “A group of people amongst my followers will remain obedient to Allah’s orders and they will not be harmed by anyone who will not help them or who will oppose them, till Allah’s Order (the Last Day) comes upon them while they are still on the right path.”

(Sahih Bukhari, Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (ﷺ) and his Companions, 3641)

It means, when this nation (ummah) encounters division, there will be a separate group amidst them which will always establish upon the commandments of Allah, i.e. the Qur’an and authentic hadiths until the day of judgement establish. It confirms that approaching the Day of retribution, there always remain a group on this planet who will determine upon the correct belief. There is no detail of whereabout of this group and wherein which era. Mu’adh ؓ used to deem this group in Syria that means it is not a consistent traditional group that will only be in Makkah or Madinah, but it can be anywhere around the globe.

Earlier, we gave shreds of evidence from the Qur’an that sectarianism is a denial of Allah’s orders that is (kufr) disbelief. In Surah Rome verse 31-32, Allah Almighty has spoken of this as shirk. Allah Almighty named the believers “Muslims” and announced that death should not come to you except that you remain to be a Muslim. People invented sects afterwards and called by various names and labelled themselves differently, such as Shia, Maliki, Hanafi, Shafi’i and Hanbali sects were formed in the beginning, then further divided into more sects. In the Hanafis sect Deobandis and Barelvis and then presently within Deobandis came Hayati and Mumati and subdivided further on, same happened with Bralevis. A sect named Ahl-e-Hadith formed, today there are many divisions within that sect all call themselves Ahl-e-Hadith. They dismissed the commandments of Allah but obeyed the scholars and muftis of their respective sect and factions and the “Muslims” that Allah named them they called by different names for themselves alongside the name Muslims and that is what Allah decreed it as shirk..

اِتَّخَذُوْۤا اَحْبَارَهُمْ وَ رُهْبَانَهُمْ اَرْبَابًا مِّنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ وَ الْمَسِيْحَ ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ١ۚ وَ مَاۤ اُمِرُوْۤا اِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوْۤا اِلٰهًا وَّاحِدًا١ۚ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ١ؕ سُبْحٰنَهٗ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُوْنَ۰۰۳۱

[التوبة: 31]

They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah, and [also] the Messiah, the son of Mary.And they were not commanded except to worship one God; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him.

(Surah At-Tawbah 31)

In Surah Ash-Shura, Allah says:

اَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكٰٓؤُا شَرَعُوْا لَهُمْ مِّنَ الدِّيْنِ مَا لَمْ يَاْذَنْۢ بِهِ اللّٰهُ١ؕ وَ لَوْ لَا كَلِمَةُ الْفَصْلِ لَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ١ؕ وَ اِنَّ الظّٰلِمِيْنَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ اَلِيْمٌ۰۰۲

[الشورى: 21]

Or have they partners [i.e., other deities] who have ordained for them a religion to which Allah has not consented? But if not for the decisive word, it would have been concluded between them. And indeed, the wrongdoers will have a painful punishment.

(Surah Ash-Shuraa 21)

What Allah Almighty said in the Qur’an is that they made their scholars and monks their lords. The fact is that the word of the Muftis from these sects obeyed instead of the word of Allah. Allah says

وَ مَثَلُ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا كَمَثَلِ الَّذِيْ يَنْعِقُ بِمَا لَا يَسْمَعُ اِلَّا دُعَآءً وَّ نِدَآءً١ؕ صُمٌّۢ بُكْمٌ عُمْيٌ فَهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُوْنَ۰۰۱۷۱

[البقرة: 171]

The example of (calling) those who disbelieve is such as someone is shouting at an animal that hears nothing but a call and cry. They are deaf, dumb and blind, so they do not understand.

(Surah Al-Baqarah 171)

Today the identical approach has been adopted by the people who are associated with sects, whatever scholar of their sect say they follow it blindly, no one questioned why have they given us these names Ahl-e-hadith, Salafi, Ashati Chakralvi, Allah has named believers Muslims, so whereby these so-called names came? The Muftis and scholars of Ahl-e-Hadith sect say: “Ahl al-Hadith” is (safati) an attributive name, they give evidence that in the Qur’an and Hadith there are other names besides Muslim such as Muhajir, Ansar, Ashab-al-Safa, Ahl al-Badr, Ahl-e-Uhud, Mujahideen, Hezbollah, Mumineen, Ahl-ul-Quran, etc.

Explanation:

Mujahideen:

Mujahideen is not the name of any other group of Muslims but it is the attribute of Muslims, the meaning of (jihad) struggle implies to those who strive, fight in the way of Allah, all the Companionsؓ were Mujahids, this is not a separate sect or a party. Was there any Companion who added titles to their name such as Mujahid or Sipah-e-Allah, Sipah-e-Islam, Sipah-e-Muhammad, how someone calls themselves Ahl-e-Hadith after this evidence?

Muhajir/Emigrants:

Emigrants are those who after embracing Islam left their homes and migrated in the way of Allah due to hardships and sufferings atrocities. It was neither a party nor a special group. This exodus occurred on different occasions. Allah the Almighty has called these people Muhajir whereas none of them entitled Muhajir with their names or designated themselves by this title.

Ansar:

Ansar are those people who hosted these emigrants, it was one of their acts because of this action, they were called “Ansar”. But there is no proof that any companion labelled this title to their names. As today outside at the different places of worship, people addressed themselves by “Maslak Ahle Hadith”, “Maslak Barelvi” or any other. Were the masjids of “Ansar” severed likewise

Hizbu Allah:

In Surah Al-Mujadilah, Allah says:

لَا تَجِدُ قَوْمًا يُّؤْمِنُوْنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَ الْيَوْمِ الْاٰخِرِ يُوَآدُّوْنَ مَنْ حَآدَّ اللّٰهَ وَ رَسُوْلَهٗ وَ لَوْ كَانُوْۤا اٰبَآءَهُمْ اَوْ اَبْنَآءَهُمْ اَوْ اِخْوَانَهُمْ اَوْ عَشِيْرَتَهُمْ١ؕ اُولٰٓىِٕكَ كَتَبَ فِيْ قُلُوْبِهِمُ الْاِيْمَانَ وَ اَيَّدَهُمْ بِرُوْحٍ مِّنْهُ١ؕ وَ يُدْخِلُهُمْ جَنّٰتٍ تَجْرِيْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْاَنْهٰرُ خٰلِدِيْنَ فِيْهَا١ؕ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ وَ رَضُوْا عَنْهُ١ؕ اُولٰٓىِٕكَ حِزْبُ اللّٰهِ١ؕ اَلَاۤ اِنَّ حِزْبَ اللّٰهِ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُوْنَؒ۰۰۲۲

( مجادلہ : 22 )

You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day having affection for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred. Those – He has decreed within their hearts faith and supported them with spirit¹ from Him. And We will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him – those are the party of Allah. Unquestionably, the party of Allah – they are the successful.

(Surah Al-Mujadila 22)

In the same Surah, Allah also mentioned the group of Satan before:

اَلَمْ تَرَ اِلَى الَّذِيْنَ تَوَلَّوْا قَوْمًا غَضِبَ اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِمْ١ؕ مَا هُمْ مِّنْكُمْ وَ لَا مِنْهُمْ١ۙ وَ يَحْلِفُوْنَ عَلَى الْكَذِبِ وَ هُمْ يَعْلَمُوْنَ۰۰۱۴

( مجادلہ : 14 )

Have you not considered those who make allies of a people with whom Allah has become angry? They are neither of you nor of them, and they swear to untruth while they know [they are lying].

(Surah Al-Mujadila 14)

اَعَدَّ اللّٰهُ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا شَدِيْدًا١ؕ اِنَّهُمْ سَآءَ مَا كَانُوْا يَعْمَلُوْنَ۰۰۱۵

( آیت : 15 )

Allah has prepared for them a severe punishment. Indeed, it was evil that they were doing.

(Surah Al-Mujadila 15)

اِتَّخَذُوْۤا اَيْمَانَهُمْ جُنَّةً فَصَدُّوْا عَنْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ فَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِيْنٌ۰۰۱۶

( آیت : 16 )

They took their [false] oaths as a cover, so they averted [people] from the way of Allah, and for them is a humiliating punishment.

(Surah Al-Mujadila 16)

لَنْ تُغْنِيَ عَنْهُمْ اَمْوَالُهُمْ وَ لَاۤ اَوْلَادُهُمْ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ شَيْـًٔا١ؕ اُولٰٓىِٕكَ اَصْحٰبُ النَّارِ١ؕ هُمْ فِيْهَا خٰلِدُوْنَ۰۰۱۷

( آیت : 17 )

Never will their wealth or their children avail them against Allah at all. Those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.

(Surah Al-Mujadila 17)

يَوْمَ يَبْعَثُهُمُ اللّٰهُ جَمِيْعًا فَيَحْلِفُوْنَ لَهٗ كَمَا يَحْلِفُوْنَ لَكُمْ وَ يَحْسَبُوْنَ اَنَّهُمْ عَلٰى شَيْءٍ١ؕ اَلَاۤ اِنَّهُمْ هُمُ الْكٰذِبُوْنَ۰۰۱۸

( آ یت : 18 )

On the Day Allah will resurrect them all, and they will swear to Him as they swear to you and think that they are [standing] on something. Unquestionably, it is they who are the liars.

(Surah Al-Mujadila 18)

اِسْتَحْوَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الشَّيْطٰنُ فَاَنْسٰىهُمْ ذِكْرَ اللّٰهِ١ؕ اُولٰٓىِٕكَ حِزْبُ الشَّيْطٰنِ١ؕ اَلَاۤ اِنَّ حِزْبَ الشَّيْطٰنِ هُمُ الْخٰسِرُوْنَ۰۰۱۹

( آ یت : 19 )

Satan has overcome them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah. Those are the party of Satan. Unquestionably, the party of Satan – they will be the losers.

(Surah Al-Mujadila 19)

Now we can see that all those who are believers are “Allah’s party (hizbu Allah)”, and all those who are not believers are “Satan’s party (hizbu shaytan)”. It indicates that Hizbu Allah is not (safati) an attributive name of Muslims but every believer belongs to Hizbu Allah the party of Allah.

Believers (Mumineen):

In Surah Al-Hujurat, Allah says:

قَالَتِ الْاَعْرَابُ اٰمَنَّا١ؕ قُلْ لَّمْ تُؤْمِنُوْا وَ لٰكِنْ قُوْلُوْۤا اَسْلَمْنَا وَ لَمَّا يَدْخُلِ الْاِيْمَانُ فِيْ قُلُوْبِكُمْ١ؕ وَ اِنْ تُطِيْعُوا اللّٰهَ وَ رَسُوْلَهٗ لَا يَلِتْكُمْ مِّنْ اَعْمَالِكُمْ شَيْـًٔا١ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْمٌ۰۰۱۴

( الحجرات : 14 )

The bedouins say, “We have believed.” Say, “You have not [yet] believed; but say [instead], ‘We have submitted,’ for faith has not yet entered your hearts. And if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not deprive you from your deeds of anything. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”

(Surah Al-Hujurat 14)

Mu’min is an attribute of a Muslim. It is not the separate group or a sect upon which detach faction could be formed in Islam and presented by another name. The one who is a believer will be called a Muslim. “Ahle Badr”, the warriors of Badr, “Ahle Uhud”, the warriors of Uhud were those companions who participated in those battles but, even on these bases, they did not have separate sects or masjids.

Ahle Al-Sufah:

عن أبي هريرة قال کان أهل الصفة أضياف أهل الإسلام لا يأوون علی أهل ولا مال والله الذي لا إله إلا هو إن کنت لأعتمد بکبدي علی الأرض من الجوع وأشد الحجر علی بطني من الجوع۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔

( ترمذی ، أبواب صفة القيامة والرقائق والورع عن رسول اللهﷺ )

Abu Hurairah narrated: “The people of As-Suffah were the guests of the people of Islam,they had nothing of people nor wealth to rely upon. And By Allah, the One Whom there is none worthy of worship besides Him – I would lay on the ground on my liver (side) due to hunger, And I would fasten a stone to my stomach out of hunger……

(Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Chapters on the description of the Day of Judgement, Ar-Riqaq, and Al-Wara’,
Chapter: A Narration About the People of As-Suffah, 2477 )

It clarifies that the “Ahle al-Suffah” were people who either migrated or had no shelter. They use to dwell in annexed portions. For this reason, they were called “Ahl al-Suffah”.

Ahle Al Hijra (People of the cell):

This refers to those who live in a cell.

The point to mention here is that all of them were Muslims. They did not change their names and identities. Even after the death of the Prophet (ﷺ), all these remained the same no one called themselves Siddiqui, Umeri, Uthmani or Alavi. Shaytan caused a rift between them, they lined up against each other for a while, but it never happened that they would have classified themselves as different Muslims from their rivals. In addition to these traits, Allah Almighty has also mentioned other qualities such as Sadiq, those who wake up at night, those who guard their chastity, despite all, no attributive name found such as “Ahlul Hadith”. The fact is that only those who believe in the Qur’an and Hadith are called “Muslims”.

Previously, we gave evidence from the Qur’an and Hadith about sectarianism and its consequences. We like to mention something now that mislead people that the name Allah Almighty has given us “Muslims” means obedient, so we are obedient to Him but, our recognition is Ahlul-Hadeeth or something else. This, because disbelief and polytheism have overcome this nation, so how can we be recognized? Somehow only those who disbelieve and associate partners with Allah make their distinction separate. Ones who believe in Allah and His prophet ﷺ keep the same name that Allah has given them. Acknowledge yourself and keep your name Muslim so that people can recognize you. Some people say that the meaning of Muslim is obedient, and we are obedient to Allah, and our identity is Ahlul-Hadeeth. We ask those people to read the words of Allah carefully:

هُوَ سَمّٰىكُمُ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ١ۙ۬ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَ فِيْ هٰذَا

[الحج: 78]

هُوَ سَمّٰىكُمُ: He [i.e Allah] named you الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ: Muslims]]

He [i.e., Allah] named you “Muslims”

(Surah Al-Hajj 78)

Here, we are not just talking about obedience, but the name designated to you. So it became clear that this is a religious name, just as someone has a personal name by which he is known, in the same manner, the one who believes in Allah and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ will be called Muslim. If some calls himself Shams, people will not address him Suruj as in Urdu or call him as Sun in English thou in every language he will be called Shams. Similarly, Muslim is a religious name so, it is obligatory to accept this name.

Accepting sectarian religions also falls into the category of shirk:

Earlier, we mentioned two verses of the Quran, please read them again:

[التوبة: 31]

(Surah At-Tawbah 31)

In Surah Ash-Shura, Allah says:

[الشورى: 21]

(Surah Ash-Shuraa 21)

Narrated ‘Adi bin Hatim: “I came to the Prophet (ﷺ) while I had a cross of gold around my neck. He said: ‘O ‘Adi! Remove this idol from yourself!’ And I heard him reciting from Surah Bara’ah: They took their rabbis and monks as lords besides Allah (9:31). He said: ‘As for them, they did not worship them, but when they made something lawful for them, they considered it lawful, and when they made something unlawful for them, they considered it unlawful.'”

(Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Chapters on Tafsir)

The Qur’an states that Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islām. (Surah Al-Imran: 19) and said And whoever desires other than Islām as religion – never will it be accepted from him. (Surah Al-Imran: 85). Why this distance from the group of Muslims? Why it was necessary to form its own jurisprudence and separate groups, obviously they disagreed with the Qur’an and Hadith, apparently continued to believe in prayer and fasting, Hajj and Zakat, but due to changes in beliefs and some practices, they all became separate religions.

Adopting these sectarian religions is also a polytheistic act because these religions have no endorsement from Allah Almighty. Allah Almighty has named those who believe in Allah and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, those who only believe in the Qur’an and Hadith as Muslims. Ahl-e-Hadith, Deobandi, Barelvi, Ahl-e-Sunnah-wal-Jamaat, Shia, Hanafi, Maliki, Shafii, Hanbali are all sectarian names. Allah has not prescribed it anywhere..

The Qur’an states, Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islām. (Surah Al-Imran: 19) and said And whoever desires other than Islām as religion never will it be accepted from him. (Surah Al-Imran: 85). So why this distance occurred from the assemblage of Muslims?. Why was it necessary to form its jurisprudence and separate groups? The answer to this is that they conflicted with the Qur’an and Hadith. In appearance, they continued to offer prayer keep up with fast, Hajj and Zakat, but due to changes in beliefs and some practices they all became separate religions.

Differences between Islam and sectarian religions:

The very first difference between Islam and these sectarian religions is of ‘name’. Their name is different from those given by Allah and, that is the sign of their religions. Allah says Follow, [O mankind], what has been revealed to you from your Lord (Surah Al-A’raf: 3) but they obey and follow their scholars.

In the Qur’an Surah Az-Zumar, verse 42, and Surah Mu’minun verse 99-100, Allah has said that the soul of the deceased will not return to this world before the Day of Resurrection but, most sectarian religions believe that the soul returns to the body after his death.

It is stated in the Qur’an Surah Maryam verses 15 and 33 that the Prophets ( علیہم السلام) will also resurrect on the Day of Judgement. The vast majority of sects based on weak narrations believe that Prophets ( علیہم السلام) are alive in their graves and perform Salat.

The Qur’an mentions the prayer of blessing (Durood) for the Prophet ﷺ but all sects have changed its meaning they have made it something that is presented to the Prophet ﷺ. However, it is a supplication, so every supplication is presented before Allah the Almighty.

Futhermore is a common belief in some sects that our deeds are presented to Allah Almighty as well as to the Prophet ﷺ. (نعوذوباللہ من ذالک)

Based on this belief, they attempt to prove that the Prophet ﷺ is alive in his grave in Medina, although Fatimaؓ and other Companions believed that the Prophet ﷺ is alive in paradise after his death.

Islam sources from the Qur’an and Hadith states that martyrs are alive in paradise after their death, whereas many sects describe martyrs alive in this worldly grave.

The religion of Islam says that Allah is the one, there is no one like Him. He has no wife, no children and no one in the universe like him. Contrarily, in some sectarian religions, it is believed that Muhammad ﷺ is a part of Allah and in some other sects, it is a belief that our Imams are also part of the same light. It is association in Allah’s essence and declared by Allah as abuse to Himself.

The Qur’an states that the corpse decays, eventually turn into dust, but some sects have spread the belief that they are alive they can hear us and solve peoples problems.

Islam states that Allah hears undeviatingly and commands that you should invoke Him directly, but most sectarian religions say to beseech Allah through interceding or by some means.

Islam teaches to invoke only Allah for help but, in many sectarian religions, it is justified to call upon others in absentia than Allah.

It has been told in Islam that for man is what he has earned by himself. After death, he will get the reward for charity he has done beneficial knowledge passed on, supplications of good children and except good deeds, he will get nothing. On the contrary, in sectarian religions, the belief is the reward of good deeds done by the living ones passed on to the dead.

There are no ceremonies in Islam such as Qul, nor is there third (soyam), the tenth (daswan) or fortieth (chaliswan) day of mourning or anniversary (barsi) contrarily most sectarian religions give prime importance to these ceremonies.
In Islam, every good action is for the sake of Allah. It is prohibited to earn salary remuneration or gifts on Qur’an, Adhan, leading Salah (prayer) or teaching the Qur’an. But all sectarian religions controlled by the Maulvis Muftis allows the wages permissible in religion.

The Monotheism of Allah is the first foundation of Islam whereas, Mysticism (Sufism) is at a very high level amongst many sectarians religions, wherein the basis of belief is annihilations of man in essence of Allah or intermingle of Allah in man, and that everything in the universe is the part of Allah. It is as if monotheism is shattered and dispersed.

In Islam, the ‘divine throne’ of Allah is considered in this universe the most eminent stage, and the Kaaba has the noblest position on this earth but, the Deoband religion exalts the soil of the grave of Prophet ﷺ pre-eminent of them all.

Islam forbids wife for man after giving divorce three times, wherein the sect of Ahl al-Hadith tried to change this in Islam by uttering divorce three times in one go. That is how the religion of this sect works, and others have implemented ‘halala’ system in their religions.

Mourning, beating chest, bewailing has nothing to do with the Prophet ﷺ (Hadith) thou in Shia religion doing it is considered to be a reward.

Islam prohibits sacrifices and offerings in the name of anyone other than Allah but, in many sects especially, in Barelvis and Shias, it is considered quite sacred and eaten.

The knower of the unseen (Alimul Ghaib) (unseen things, or knowledge of the future) is an attribute of Allah Almighty only but, in many sectarian religions, the other Prophets علیہ السلام and especially the last Prophet ﷺ considered to know the unseen as well. In one or two sects, even the current drug addicted pir (shamans) and several individuals are also considered the knower of the unseen.

The Scholars and pirs (shamans) of different sects have engaged this ummah wearing amulets, which is against Islam and declared as an act of polytheism based on the hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

The Prophet ﷺ and his companions in their entire life did not raise their hands after prayers or at any funeral or after any dars as congregational supplication but, today this act is significant in many sectarian religions.

Remember this saying of Allah:

يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوا ادْخُلُوْا فِي السِّلْمِ كَآفَّةً١۪ وَّ لَا تَتَّبِعُوْا خُطُوٰتِ الشَّيْطٰنِ١ؕ اِنَّهٗ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِيْنٌ۰۰۲۰۸

[البقرة: 208]

O you who have believed, enter into Islām completely [and perfectly] and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.

(Surah Al-Baqarah 208)

The declaration of faith is to accept, follow and obey Allah. It is the vow to become a complete Muslim. The fundamental requirement is to cleanse faith from polytheistic beliefs, false ideologies and Illusionistic philosophies. Renounce and reject (taghut) entirely every evil theology that transgresses or rebels against Allah and demands loyalty and obedience. Creates steadiness in faith and then fulfilling all demands live the life that refrains from innovations and rituals. Interacts and cooperates with society only on those matters free from polytheism deviation traditions, impiety and wickedness of all kinds. Without any exception to believe in some of the Quran and reject some others

اِخْرَاجُهُمْ١ؕ اَفَتُؤْمِنُوْنَ۠ بِبَعْضِ الْكِتٰبِ وَ تَكْفُرُوْنَ بِبَعْضٍ١ۚ فَمَا جَزَآءُ مَنْ يَّفْعَلُ ذٰلِكَ مِنْكُمْ اِلَّا خِزْيٌ فِي الْحَيٰوةِ الدُّنْيَا١ۚ وَ يَوْمَ الْقِيٰمَةِ يُرَدُّوْنَ اِلٰۤى اَشَدِّ الْعَذَابِ١ؕ وَ مَا اللّٰهُ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُوْنَ۰۰۸۵

( البقرہ : 85 )

So do you believe in part of the Scripture and disbelieve in part? Then what is the recompense for those who do that among you except disgrace in worldly life; and on the Day of Resurrection they will be sent back to the severest of punishment. And Allah is not unaware of what you do.

(Surah Al-Baqarah 85)

Islam is a complete way of life that accords obedience and submission to Allah. Therefore believers are urged to fully embrace and take Islam seriously at the individual and congregational level and put all aspects of life in the framework of Islam, then take all matters such as marriage, death business relationships with relatives and friends following Islamic law. No pressure should be accepted in the implementation of Sharia nor to ignore certain Shari’ah limits and restrictions and the commands of Allah and His Messenger in social affairs or for worldly interests in order to please friends and relatives.

اَلْيَوْمَ اَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِيْنَكُمْ وَ اَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِيْ وَ رَضِيْتُ لَكُمُ الْاِسْلَامَ دِيْنًا١ؕ فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ فِيْ مَخْمَصَةٍ غَيْرَ مُتَجَانِفٍ لِّاِثْمٍ١ۙ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْمٌ۰۰۳

[المائدة: 3]

This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islām as religion. But whoever is forced by severe hunger with no inclination to sin – then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

(Surah Al-Ma’idah 3)

It means, the religion of Islam brought by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ completed by Allah Almighty. Now nothing can be added or subtracted to it. It was said for this same religion of Islam to enter into it completely. It means, whatever the situation is, you have to embrace it and act upon it. Now there will not be any involvement of any other religion. It will not happen that whatever Allah Almighty has declared haraam forbidden will be accepted lightly, for example, sacrifices in the name of divinities other than Allah. Allah Almighty says that the soul of the decease returns not to this worldly body before the Day of Resurrection. The religions of Sectarians oppose this and affirm that the soul returns, and thus, they shunned the true Islam and mixed it up, and such a religion is not acceptable in the sight of Allah.

وَ مَنْ يَّبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الْاِسْلَامِ دِيْنًا فَلَنْ يُّقْبَلَ مِنْهُ١ۚ وَ هُوَ فِي الْاٰخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخٰسِرِيْنَ

[آل عمران: 85]

And whoever desires other than Islām as religion – never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.

(Surah Ali’ Imran 85)

So read this verse again:

(Surah Ash-Shuraa 21)