Among These New Gods, the Greatest is Partisanship (Sectarianism)

Written by: Fazal Akbar Kashmiri

Islam strictly prohibits sectarianism. Allah the Almighty says:

وَ اعۡتَصِمُوۡا بِحَبۡلِ اللّٰهِ جَمِيۡعًا وَّ لَا تَفَرَّقُوۡا۪ [آل عمران: 103]"

And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided."

[Aal-e-Imran: 103]

From this verse, it is clear that if everyone collectively holds firmly to the rope of Allah (Quran and Hadith), they will be freed from the curse of sectarianism forever. However, it is unfortunate that in this Ummah, there have always been people who, due to stubbornness and obstinacy, have caused the Muslim Ummah to be divided into factions. A study of the Quran reveals that whoever abandons selfish desires and solely follows the Quran and Hadith has found the straight path and attained the ultimate goal. Allah the Almighty wants this Ummah to be a single, united community, but people are intent on dividing it. Allah the Almighty says:

اِنَّ هٰذِهٖۤ اُمَّتُكُمۡ اُمَّةً وَّاحِدَةً ۫ۖ وَّ اَنَا رَبُّكُمۡ فَاعۡبُدُوۡنِ 92 وَ تَقَطَّعُوۡۤا اَمۡرَهُمۡ بَيۡنَهُمۡ ؕ كُلٌّ اِلَيۡنَا رٰجِعُوۡنَ [الانبيآء :92،93]"
Indeed this, your religion, is one religion, and I am your Lord, so worship Me. But they divided their affair among themselves, and all to Us will return."

[Al-Anbiya: 92-93]

In another place, Allah says:

اِنَّ الَّذِيۡنَ فَرَّقُوۡا دِيۡنَهُمۡ وَ كَانُوۡا شِيَعًا لَّسۡتَ مِنۡهُمۡ فِيۡ شَيۡءٍ ؕ اِنَّمَاۤ اَمۡرُهُمۡ اِلَي اللّٰهِ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُهُمۡ بِمَا كَانُوۡا يَفۡعَلُوۡنَ ﴾ [الانعام : 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."

[Al-An'am: 159]

The long history of differences and sectarianism clearly shows that if the Muslim Ummah wants to stay away from this division, it must hold firmly to the Quran and Hadith. Remember, there is blessing in unity and agreement, while disagreement, division, and sectarianism are curses and causes of disgrace for this Ummah, and those who engage in them will face a disgraceful punishment in the hereafter. The mentioned verse refers to heretical sects and followers of desires.
Allah the Almighty says:

قُلۡ هُوَ الۡقَادِرُ عَلٰۤي اَنۡ يَّبۡعَثَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ عَذَابًا مِّنۡ فَوۡقِكُمۡ اَوۡ مِنۡ تَحۡتِ اَرۡجُلِكُمۡ اَوۡ يَلۡبِسَكُمۡ شِيَعًا وَّ يُذِيۡقَ بَعۡضَكُمۡ بَاۡسَ بَعۡضٍ ؕ اُنۡظُرۡ كَيۡفَ نُصَرِّفُ الۡاٰيٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَفۡقَهُوۡنَ﴾ [الانعام :65]"

Say, 'He is the power to send upon you a punishment from above you or from beneath your feet or to confuse you [so you become] sects and make you taste the violence of one another.' Look how We diversify the signs that they might understand."

[Al-An'am: 65]

Dear readers, observe the history of sectarianism. It becomes evident that when schools of thought emerged under the names of personalities, the central points of obedience and devotion (the Quran and Hadith) were altered. Individual personalities and their sayings and ideas were given primary importance, while the words of Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) were considered secondary. This marks the beginning of the tragedy of the Muslim Ummah's division, which has grown steadily stronger over time.

In the current era of turmoil, new groups are emerging everywhere. If forming groups was proven by the Quran and Hadith, it would be a commendable act, but the opposite is true. This is why new sects are continuously emerging.

In light of the firm evidence from the Quran and Hadith, we have understood that partisanship (forming organizations) is an un-Islamic act and the root of all evils. Partisanship and group formation are no less than a dangerous conspiracy against Islam. Such groups fall prey to bigotry, and their basis for love is group loyalty. People are evaluated solely based on their group allegiance, and the more obedient one is to the leader, the higher their rank in the group. However, obedience to these leaders is neither obligatory nor Sunnah nor recommended. Thus, these groups and factions are idols in comparison to the oneness of Allah. Today, work is being done for the sake of organizations, not for the pleasure of Allah.

اِلّا من رحم ربك

The reasons for division are two: love for status or love for wealth. Sayyiduna Ka'b bin Malik Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates from his father that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:"Two hungry wolves, if let loose among sheep, do not cause more harm than a man’s eagerness for wealth and status causes to his religion."

[Tirmidhi: 2376, and it is Hasan]

If the fear of Allah replaces the love for wealth and status, organizations cannot be formed. In summary, the present-day paper organizations and the system of leadership within groups have no Shariah basis. This is a significant trial of the present era. This issue is highly detrimental and dangerous from a Shariah perspective. It damages the belief of loyalty and disavowal. Just as Hanafi, Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools divide the Ummah, so too have scholars written about numerous Shariah harms of partisanship. Therefore, avoid group bias and extend full Shariah love to other right-believing brothers.
 
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