The Hadith of Seventy-Three Sects Refers Only to the Muslim Ummah
Source: Fatawa ‘Ilmiyyah, Vol. 3, Issues of Tawheed and Sunnah, p. 16
Question:
Respected Hafiz Sahib! Please explain the following Hadith:
The Noble Prophet ﷺ said:
"My Ummah will be divided into seventy-three sects; all of them will be in the Fire except one."
(Mishkat: 172)
In this Hadith, the “sects” mentioned — does this refer to sects within the Muslim Ummah only, or does it also include Jews and Christians? In our circle, there is a difference of opinion on this matter. Some say it refers to Muslim sects, while others believe it includes all nations such as Jews, Christians, Hindus, idol worshippers, fire worshippers, etc.
Kindly provide a detailed answer in light of the sayings of the Hadith scholars and commentators.
Jazakum Allahu Khayran.
Alhamdulillah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
According to Islamic Shariah, the term "Ummah" is divided into two categories:
◈ This includes all non-Muslim nations, such as:
◈ All of them are obliged to accept the religion of Islam and abandon disbelief and polytheism.
◈ Those individuals who have recited the Kalimah and accepted the religion of Islam or claim to have done so.
◈ The condition is that they must not reject the fundamental necessities of Islam. If they do so, they will be declared disbelievers or apostates.
◈ For example: Murji’ah, Shia, Khawarij, and various innovated sects.
◈ Note: Groups like the Qadianis, Mirzais, and Baha’is are excluded from the Ummah al-Ijabah.
In this Hadith, the “Ummah” refers specifically to Ummah al-Ijabah, meaning the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ. This has been clearly stated by the commentators of Hadith and other scholars.
Below are ten authoritative references confirming that the Hadith refers only to the Ummah al-Ijabah:
➊ Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi (Chapter before Hadith 2640)
Chapter: "What has been mentioned regarding the splitting of this Ummah.”
➋ Ma‘alim al-Sunan by al-Khattabi (Vol. 4, p. 295, Kitab Sharh al-Sunnah)
➌ ‘Aaridat al-Ahwadhi (Vol. 10, pp. 108-109, under Hadith 2640)
➍ al-Kashif ‘an Haqaiq al-Sunan (Sharh al-Tibi on Mishkat al-Masabih, Vol. 1, p. 368, Hadith 171)
➎ Fayd al-Qadir by al-Munawi al-Sufi (Vol. 2, p. 26, Entry 1223)
➏ Hashiyat al-Sindi ‘ala Sunan Ibn Majah (Vol. 2, p. 479, Hadith 3991)
➐ Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi (Vol. 3, p. 367, Hadith 2640)
Statement: "al-Murad min ‘Ummati’ al-Ijabah”
Translation: “By ‘my Ummah’ is meant the Ummah of Response.”
➑ Mir‘at al-Mafatih (Vol. 1, p. 270, Hadith 171)
➒ Injaz al-Hajah Sharh Sunan Ibn Majah (Vol. 11, p. 397, Hadith 3991)
➓ Consensus of the Scholars: The Hadith refers solely to the sects within the Muslim Ummah, such as:
For further reference:
From all the above references, it is clear that in this Hadith, the “Ummah” refers exclusively to the sects within the Muslim Ummah that are affiliated with Islam.
Jews, Christians, or other disbelievers and apostates are not included in this Hadith.
Source: Fatawa ‘Ilmiyyah, Vol. 3, Issues of Tawheed and Sunnah, p. 16
Seventy-Three Sects and the Ummah of Response – Explanation of the Hadith
Question:
Respected Hafiz Sahib! Please explain the following Hadith:
The Noble Prophet ﷺ said:
"My Ummah will be divided into seventy-three sects; all of them will be in the Fire except one."
(Mishkat: 172)
In this Hadith, the “sects” mentioned — does this refer to sects within the Muslim Ummah only, or does it also include Jews and Christians? In our circle, there is a difference of opinion on this matter. Some say it refers to Muslim sects, while others believe it includes all nations such as Jews, Christians, Hindus, idol worshippers, fire worshippers, etc.
Kindly provide a detailed answer in light of the sayings of the Hadith scholars and commentators.
Jazakum Allahu Khayran.
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
According to Islamic Shariah, the term "Ummah" is divided into two categories:
① Ummah al-Da‘wah (The Ummah of Invitation)
◈ This includes all non-Muslim nations, such as:
- Jews and Christians
- Hindus
- Fire worshippers
- Qadianis (Mirzais), etc.
◈ All of them are obliged to accept the religion of Islam and abandon disbelief and polytheism.
② Ummah al-Ijabah (The Ummah of Response)
◈ Those individuals who have recited the Kalimah and accepted the religion of Islam or claim to have done so.
◈ The condition is that they must not reject the fundamental necessities of Islam. If they do so, they will be declared disbelievers or apostates.
◈ For example: Murji’ah, Shia, Khawarij, and various innovated sects.
◈ Note: Groups like the Qadianis, Mirzais, and Baha’is are excluded from the Ummah al-Ijabah.
Meaning of the Hadith:
In this Hadith, the “Ummah” refers specifically to Ummah al-Ijabah, meaning the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ. This has been clearly stated by the commentators of Hadith and other scholars.
Below are ten authoritative references confirming that the Hadith refers only to the Ummah al-Ijabah:
Evidence from the Explanation of the Hadith:
➊ Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi (Chapter before Hadith 2640)
Chapter: "What has been mentioned regarding the splitting of this Ummah.”
➋ Ma‘alim al-Sunan by al-Khattabi (Vol. 4, p. 295, Kitab Sharh al-Sunnah)
➌ ‘Aaridat al-Ahwadhi (Vol. 10, pp. 108-109, under Hadith 2640)
➍ al-Kashif ‘an Haqaiq al-Sunan (Sharh al-Tibi on Mishkat al-Masabih, Vol. 1, p. 368, Hadith 171)
➎ Fayd al-Qadir by al-Munawi al-Sufi (Vol. 2, p. 26, Entry 1223)
➏ Hashiyat al-Sindi ‘ala Sunan Ibn Majah (Vol. 2, p. 479, Hadith 3991)
➐ Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi (Vol. 3, p. 367, Hadith 2640)
Statement: "al-Murad min ‘Ummati’ al-Ijabah”
Translation: “By ‘my Ummah’ is meant the Ummah of Response.”
➑ Mir‘at al-Mafatih (Vol. 1, p. 270, Hadith 171)
➒ Injaz al-Hajah Sharh Sunan Ibn Majah (Vol. 11, p. 397, Hadith 3991)
➓ Consensus of the Scholars: The Hadith refers solely to the sects within the Muslim Ummah, such as:
- Khawarij
- Shia
- Murji’ah, etc.
For further reference:
- al-Farq bayn al-Firaq by ‘Abd al-Qahir al-Baghdadi
- Ghuniyat al-Talibin by ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, and others.
Conclusion:
From all the above references, it is clear that in this Hadith, the “Ummah” refers exclusively to the sects within the Muslim Ummah that are affiliated with Islam.
Jews, Christians, or other disbelievers and apostates are not included in this Hadith.
