Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, Page 219✿ Introduction to Some Deviant Sects
➊ Az-Zanādiqah (Plural of Zindīq)
Linguistic and Terminological Meaning:
"Zindīq" is derived from the Persian word “Zan-Dīn”, meaning “woman's religion.”
According to al-Fayrūzābādī in al-Qāmūs:
“A Zindīq is one who believes in dual deities—light and darkness—denies the Hereafter and divine lordship, or outwardly professes faith while inwardly concealing disbelief.”
In the Light of Hadith:
In Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ (2/207), under the narration of ʿIkrimah:
“Zindīqs were brought to ʿAlī رضي الله عنه, and he ordered them to be burned.”
Explanation by Mullā ʿAlī Qārī:
“Zindīq is one who denies the afterlife, the Creator, equates ḥalāl and ḥarām. There are two scholarly views regarding the acceptance of their repentance. The preferred view is that their repentance is not accepted judicially, though Allah may accept sincere repentance.”
Further Clarification:
According to Thaʿlab:
Zindīq and Barzīn are not Arabic words but refer to atheists and dualists.
Mawlānā ʿAbd al-Ḥaqq Dihlawī notes in his commentary on Mishkāt:
These were followers of the Zand (Zoroastrian scripture), who apostatized and claimed ʿAlī is God. They were given a chance to repent, but upon refusal, were burnt. Later, this method was abandoned after Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنه’s statement that “only Allah punishes with fire.”
➋ Aṭ-Ṭabīʿiyyīn (Naturalists)
Beliefs:
They claim that the universe came into existence by natural forces or chance, without divine intervention.
Reality:
These are, in essence, atheists, following speculation and conjecture without any firm evidence.
➌ Al-Qadariyyah (Deniers of Divine Decree)
Historical Background:
This sect emerged during the latter period of the Ṣaḥābah. The first to publicly deny Qadar was Maʿbad al-Juhani in Baṣrah.
Reported in:
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (1/27) – Maʿbad used to sit with al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī, but was expelled by him.
Later supported by ʿAmr ibn ʿUbayd, and eventually executed by Ḥajjāj ibn Yūsuf.
Further Details:
Imām al-Nawawī in his Sharḥ of Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim:
“Qadariyyah are divided; some deny Allah’s prior knowledge, others deny pre-decree before action. They claim man is the creator of his own deeds.”
— Refer to: Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā (8/288–289)
Statements of Imams:
Some among the Qadariyyah believe in commands, prohibitions, and accountability but deny Allah’s prior will. Imams Mālik, al-Shāfiʿī, and Aḥmad regarded them as disbelievers for rejecting divine foreknowledge.
Others believe in divine knowledge and the Preserved Tablet but negate the practical need for action.
➍ Al-Jabriyyah (Fatalists)
Beliefs:
Humans have no control—like inanimate objects. They have no will, intention, or agency.
Connection:
A subgroup of Qadariyyah with varied subsects.
Reference:
Al-Milal wa al-Niḥal by al-Shahrastānī (1/79)
➎ An-Nāṣibiyyah (Enemies of Ahl al-Bayt)
Definition:
Ibn Manẓūr in Lisān al-ʿArab (14/157):
“A Nāṣibī is one whose religion is based on hatred of ʿAlī رضي الله عنه.”
Poetic Reference by Ibn al-Qayyim:
“If loving the companions of Muḥammad is called 'Naṣb',
Then let mankind and jinn bear witness—I am a Nāṣibī!”
Rāfiḍīs’ Usage:
Rāfiḍīs often label Ahl al-Sunnah as Nāṣibīs, as stated in al-Ghaniyyah (1/85).
➏ Al-Ghulāt (Extremists)
Definition:
Ghulāt are individuals or sects who exceed limits in belief or practice, assigning divine attributes to creation or going beyond the boundaries set by Sharīʿah.
Conclusion:
Each of these six sects or tendencies represents deviant ideology that contradicts the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah. Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamāʿah has consistently warned against such deviations, emphasizing the moderate, scripturally grounded path.
ھٰذا ما عندي، واللّٰه أعلم بالصواب
