The line in the Sand: Part 8

 

Chapter 8: Groups and Sects

Following a madhab carries benefits, the first of which is that a great learned person already collated the rulings of Islam into one. Something for which to be grateful. There are matters of aqeedah (belief) that further categorise Muslims into groups. The four imams of the madhabs still known today, did not differ on matters of aqeedah, so a misguided person or group cannot hide behind their madhab on this issue.

However, even during the time of the four imams, issues of aqeedah raised its head. Being exposed to foreign ideas and influences, some people inclined to a different way of thinking. Before this, problems started arising with the rise of the Khawarij and the Shi’i. While initially the shi’a were based purely on political difference, with time it evolved into a sect of its own, away from Ahlus-sunnah. The focus here will not be on these groups. Rather the focus is on those who use speech and logic in their arguments rather than Quran and Sunnah. Yet, these people will claim to follow Quran and Sunnah. For the moment, let’s leave the topic of “who is Ahlus sunnah” hanging. These posts are issues with which you need to get to grips through addressing with, and learning from, credible scholars. The difference between groups owning the title, is that while true followers of Quran and sunnah seeks proof from these main sources, the other group will incline to speech and logic. On these groups, differences of Aqeedah arose. These are serious matters which you need to carefully learn and consider. The point is what are your main sources. Do you love Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and follow him? If you follow him, then is it not important to get his view on the matter? Did not his companions understand his teachings better than us? There arose people and groups who inclined to using speech and logic. This was something that was denounced by the great imams. Effectively, at the hands of one earlier group, many scholars were killed because they rejected them and their teachings. One such teaching was that the Quran was created. They were eventually marginalised, but new groups came and merely reformed some things while inclining to their methodology.  

There are more issues to discuss. For the moment, consider what causes differences and which differences are serious, and which are not. If you remain unaware of these differences, it may be good. But it is more likely that your ignorance of these differences may not give you certainty of the line in the sand. Furthermore, which differences require rigidity and which not. Understanding these differences will be helpful. Many are afraid to ask the questions for fear of exposing their ignorance. Perhaps the question we should all ask is, “what will be my position in front of Allah on the Day of Resurrection?”. Today there are many terms used for groups or sects and how many have any idea what it means. Sometimes people have been grouped together by people outside such a group. Labels are attached, sometimes derogatory or slanderous. Nevertheless, some of the names and labels used are: Ahlus sunnah, asharias, mu’tazilah, Deobandi, Barelvi, Salafi, Wahhabi, sufi. And within these group may be groups.

The line in the sand is key to your way forward or must you reverse to get onto the straight line? This is not a judgement call, but merely a “dare to think” or shall I say “Dare to learn” call. We all have work to do. The most amazing part of these posts is that I am really addressing myself. The flip side of that is that the next person is but a mirror to oneself, so we reflect and learn.

See next: https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-line-in-sand-part-9.html

See previous:  https://capemuslimspeak.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-line-in-sand-part-7.html