Branches of Islam?

Question

Can somone name the branches of Islam, and quickly describe them, so i can tell the differences.

I know

Sunni,

Shiah,

Nation Of Islam.

I know the differences of those religions, but i have no clue what the other branches of islam are about.

by the way im Sunni, and i am NOT thinking of changing my ways, but i just want to know.

Answer 1

Well you know what Sunni is because you are one.

Shia's believe that Hazrat Ali (rz) was the rightful leader after the demise of the Prophet (sa).  They follow the same Qur'an and aqeedah as taught by the Prophet (sa).

Nation of Islam is an offshoot that has modified Islamic theology quite a bit.  Most notably they believe W Fard Muhammad was Allah incarnate.

Ahmadi Muslims are Sunni Muslims.  Their distinguishing belief is that they believe Imam Mahdi and Messih has come.  They follow the same Qur'an and Aqeedah as taught by the Prophet (sa).

Sufi is more of a mystic sect.

Some Muslims only accept the Qur'an and nothing else.

Hope that helps!

EDIT:

My pleasure brother, anything I can do to help. :)

love for all, hatred for none

Answer 2

Muslims:

1. Sunnis :-

    

(1) Hanafi.

              * Barailwi

              * Deobandi

(2) Shafi.

(3) Hannbali.

(4) Salafi\Ahle Hadith.....................Purest Islam.

(5)Malaiki

2. Shias :-

(1) Twelver

(2) Ismaili

                * Nizari --------also known as AghaKhanis

                * Mustaali

                * Druze.

(3) Zaidi.

(4) Jaafri.

(5)Alani.

(6)Alevi.

3. Kharijites.

4. Sufis.

5. Ahmedis---------believe in a False Prophet Guhlaam Ahmed Qadiyaan who claims himself to be Imam Mahdi and Prophet Isa's (as) 2nd coming at the same time.

There are many more types.........nearly 70 branches (sign of the day of Judgement).

Answer 3

Just fyi, the Nation of Islam has nothing to do with Islam.  It is a black movement (or at least that's what I know of it).  And I think I'm right in saying that they believe that black people are superior to others and that God is black.

This is shirk, the worst crime in Islam.

Answer 4

Sunni you already know.

-----------------------

Shia

Actually Shias are divided with many branches.

They do not believe in Bukhari, Muslim ,......

They believe in Usool-ul-Kaafi, and other books.

Some Shia branches believe:

1.None of the Prophets (a.s) had been bestowed with the Prophet Hood until He declared His belief in the fallacy character of ALLAH (Na'uzubillah). [Usool-ul-Kaafi, Vol#1, Pg#265 - Published Iran]

2. Ali (r.a) possesses same rights as were kept by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w) (Na’uzubillah). [Usool-ul-Kaafi, Vol#1, Pg#380 - Published Iran]

3. Imam has greater qualities than the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w) (Na’uzubillah). [Usool-ul-Kaafi, Vol#2, Pg#299-300 - Published Iran]

4 Imams are equal in the status with Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w) (Na’uzubillah). [Usool-ul-Kaafi, Vol#2, Pg#287 - Published Iran]

5. Ali (r.a) imprecated Talha (r.a) and Zubair (r.a) to ruin in life and thereafter (Na’uzubillah). [Usool-ul-Kaafi, Vol#2, Pg#189 - Published Iran]

6. The first three Caliphs (r.a) and other Sahabah (r.a) became apostate due to the denial of Ali (r.a)’s prophecy (Na’uzubillah). [Usool-ul-Kaafi, Vol#2, Pg#184 - Published Iran]

-------X----X--------X---------X------...

--------------------------------------...

These religious traditions are not recognized as sects of Islam by mainstream Islamic fiqh, but claim themselves to be Muslim. They are considered heretical by mainstream Muslims.

Ahmadiyya/Qadiyani

NOTE: ( 1qfactor is a Qadiyani )

----------------------------------

Members of the Ahmadiyya movement are followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad,

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad claimed to be

--->the Mujaddid of the 14th Islamic century,

--->the promised Messiah ("Second Coming of Christ") and Mahdi, ( we muslims no that Isa(as) and Imam Mahdi are two different persons. Isa(as.) did not die, will come from 4th sky, he cannot born again. Qadiyanis believe that Mirza is Isa(as) and Mirza is Mahdi.

--->Prophet (Sometimes, say subordinate prophet). However There can not be any prophet after Muhammad(saws), there is even not any conception of subordinate prophet in Islam.

---------X-------------X-----------X--...

You should read

----------------

Ahmadiyya Jamaat and their followers today pretend to be the champions of Islam, claiming to have exemplary character. They go to extra length to advertise that Muslims have labelled them Kaafir whereas they are very peace-loving sect of Islam, who has never labelled anyone KAAFIR. They raise the slogan: LOVE FOR ALL, HATRED FOR NONE. However in real life all these claims fly in the face. The founder of Ahmadiyya Movement, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani, has this to say about the Muslims (non-Ahmadi Muslims)

"Except for the CHILDREN OF PROSTITUTE, whose hearts have been sealed by God, everyone else believes in me and has accepted me."  (Aina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam, Roohani Khazain vol.5 p.547)

  

"God has revealed to me that anyone to whom my message has reached and he has not accepted me , he is not a muslim." (Letter of Mirza to Dr. Abdul Hakeem Khan Patialvi)

  

"I have God's inspiration that he who does not follow you and will not enter your Ba'ith and remain your opponent, he is disobedient of God and His Prophet, Hellish." (Advertisement in M'ayaar-ul-Akhyar by Mirza Ghulam p.8)

  

"Thus remember as God has informed me, it is forbidden and absolutely forbidden to pray behind any disbeliever and hesitant; but is should be that your imam should be one of you." (Arbaeen No 3, Roohani Khazain vol.17 p.417 footnote)

  

Some one asked a question and Mirza has replied to it. Both are mentioned in his book, Haqeeqat-ul-Wahi. I quote:

"Question: Huzoor-e-aali has mentioned in thousands of places that it is not at all right to call KAFIR a Kalima-go (one who recites a Kalima) and an Ahle-Qibla. It is quite obvious that except those Momineen who become Kafir by rejecting you, just by not accepting you no one becomes a Kafir. But you write to Abdul Hakeem Khan that anyone who has received my message and he has not accepted me, he is not Muslim. There is contradiction between this statement and the statements in previous books. Earlier in Tiryaq-ul-Quloob etc you had mentioned that no one becomes Kafir by not accepting you and now you are writing that by rejecting me he becomes a Kafir.

Answer: This is strange that you consider the person who rejects me and the person who calls me Kafir as two different persons, whereas in the eyes of God he is the same type; because he who does not accept me is because he considers me a fabricator.... apart from this, he who does not accept me, he does not believe in God and His Prophet as well, because there is God's and his Prophet's prophecy regarding me"  (Haqeeqat-ul-Wahi, Roohani Khazain vol.22 p.167)



"It is our obligation that we do not consider non-ahmadis as muslims and do not pray behind them, because for us they have rejected one prophet (Mirza Ghulam) of God. This is a religious matter and no one has any right to do anything in it."  (Anwar-e-Khilafat, by Mirza Mahmood, Khalifa 2, p.90)

  

"All muslims who are not included in the initiation of Maseeh Mowood, even if they have not heard the name of Maseeh Mowood, they are Kafir and out of the fold of Islam. I admit that these are my beliefs." (Aina-e-Sadaqat, by Mirza Mahmood, 2nd Khalifa, p.35)  

"Every one who accepts Moses but not Eesa or accepts Eesa but not Mohammad or accepts Mohammad but not Maseeh Mowood, he is not only Kafir but a hardened Kafir and is out of the fold of Islam. (Kalimat-alFasl by Mirza Basheer Ahmad s/o Mirza Ghulam p.110)

  

Question: "Is it permitted to say May God Bless the departed soul, forgive him and send him to Paradise for a person who was not included in Ahmadiyyat?"

Answer: "The KUFR of non-Ahmadis is proven by evident signs and it is not permitted to ask for forgiveness for non-believers (KUFFAR)."  (Al-Fazl Qadian vol.8, No. 59, 7th Feb 1921)

  

"Non-Ahmadis are the disbelievers therefore their funeral prayers should not be offered, but if an infant of non-ahmadi dies, why should we not pray his funaral prayer, he is not a disbeliever of Maseeh Mowood? I ask the inquirer, that if this is true than why don't we offer funeral prayer of a Hindu or a Christian child? How many people offer their funeral prayer?" (Anwar-e-Khilafat, Mirza Mahmood, 2nd Khalifa, p.93)

  

"It is the order of Hazrat Maseeh Mowood and firm order that no ahmadi should give his daughter to non-ahmadi. It is obligatory on every ahmadi to carry it out..... there is great loss in it, besides this marriage is not permitted." (Barakat-e-Khilafat by Mirza Mehmood p.73)

  

"Our prayers are separate from Non-ahmadis, it is forbidden to give our girls to them, we are stopped to offer their funeral prayers. Now what is left that we can participate with them? There are only two kinds of relations - religious and worldly. For religious relations, it is the gathering for prayers and for worldly relations, it is the marriage and both are forbidden for us." (Mirza Basheer Ahmad s/o Mirza Ghulam, Kalimat alFasl p.169)

  

"The point is now quite clear. If it is 'Kufr' (infidelity) to deny the Gracious Prophet (Muhammad pbuh), it must also be 'Kufr' to deny the Promised Messiah, because the Promised Messiah is in no way a separate being from the Gracious Prophet; rather he is the same (Muhammad incarnate). If anyone is not deemed a Kafir for denying the Promised Messiah, then anyone else who denies the Gracious Prophet also cannot be considered a Kafir. How is it possible that denying him in his first birth as Prophet should be regarded as Kufr, but denying him in his (reincarnated) second birth as prophet should not be regarded as Kufr, when, as claimed by the Promised Messiah, his (Mirza's birth as Muhammad incarnate) spiritual attainment is stronger, complete and severe." (Kalimatul Fasl, pages 146-147, as cited in the Review of Religions, dated March-April 1915)

  

"Any person who believes in Moses but does not believe in Christ, or believes in Christ but does not believe in Muhammad, or believes in Muhammad but does not believe in the Promised Messiah, is not only a Kafir, but a 'pakka' (confirmed) Kafir, and (he is) out of the fold of Islam." (Kalimatul Fasl, page 110, by Mirza Bashir Ahmad, M.A.)

  

"All such Muslims who did not swear allegiance to the promised Masih (Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian), even though they did not hear the name of the Promised Masih, are Kafir and debarred from the fold of Islam." (Aiena-e-Sadaqat, page 35, by Mirza Mahmud Ahmad Qadiani).

----------------------

Druze

The Druze are a small distinct traditional religion that developed in the 11th century. It began as an offshoot of the Ismaili sect of Islam, but is unique in its incorporation of Gnostic, neo-Platonic and other philosophies. Druze are considered heretical and non-Muslims by most other Muslims because they are believed to address prayers to the Fatimid caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, the third Fatimid caliph of Egypt, whom they regard as "a manifestation of God in His unity." The Druze believe that he had been hidden away by God and will return as the Mahdi on Judgement Day. Like Alawis, most Druze keep the tenets of their Faith secret, and very few details are known. They neither accept converts nor recognize conversion from their religion to another. They are located primarily in the Levant. Druze in different states can have radically different lifestyles. Some claim to be Muslim, some do not, though the Druze faith itself abides by Islamic principles.

Zikri

Zikri is claimed to be based around the teachings o

Answer 5

Check out this link:

http://www.geocities.com/islampencereler...

Beware of 1qfac. He believes the impostor Mirza is a Prophet after Muhammad (P.B.U.H).

Answer 6

A Brief Overview of some Deviant Sects

AUTHOR: Imaam Muhammad bin Saalih Al-'Uthaimeen

SOURCE: His explanation of Lum'at-ul-'Itiqaad of Ibn Qudaamah (pg. 161-163)

PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

There are certain signs that indicate people of innovation, such as.

1. They attribute themselves to something other than Islaam and the Sunnah, due to what they have introduced from innovations in speech, action and belief.

2. They cling fanatically to their opinions and do not turn to the truth, even if it is clearly conveyed to them.

3. They hate the scholars of Islaam and the Religion.

From their groups are:

1. Ar-Raafidah - They are the ones who go to extremes with regard to the Members of the Household (Aali Bait). They declare the companions that opposed them as being disbelievers or they accuse them of evil (fisq). They are divided into many sects, among which are the extremists, who claim that 'Alee is god, and among which are other than them. Their innovation first appeared during the Khilaafah of 'Alee bin Abee Taalib when 'Abdullaah bin Saba' said to him: "You are God." Due to this, 'Alee commanded that they be set on fire. However, their leader, 'Abdullaah bin Saba', escaped to another city.

They hold various views concerning the Attributes of Allaah, so among them are those who perform tashbeeh, those who perform ta'teel and those who are in conformity (with the correct view of the attributes). They are called the Raafidah because they rejected (rafd) Zayd bin 'Alee Ibnul-Husayn bin 'Alee bin Abee Taalib, when they asked him about Abu Bakr and 'Umar and so he said "rahimahullaah" for both of them.

So they rejected him and distanced themselves from him. And they named themselves Shee'ah because of their claim and notion that they are taking sides (tashayu') with the Aali Bait and that they support them and that they are reclaiming their right to Imaamship.

2. Al-Jahmiyyah - They attribute themselves to Al-Jahm bin Safwaan who was killed by Saalim or Salim bin Ahwaz in the year 121H. Their views concerning the Attributes of Allaah are composed of ta'teel (denial) and nafee (negation). Concerning Al-Qadar, they hold the opinion that mankind is coerced to do deeds (al-jabr).

Their view concerning Eemaan is that of Irjaa, which means that they believe Eemaan is merely the confirmation of the heart, and that statements and actions are not part of Eemaan. So according to them, someone who commits a major sin is a believer with complete Eemaan (i.e. Eemaan does not increase or decrease). So they are the Mu'atazilah, Jabariyyah and Murji’ah all in one and they are divided into many sects.

3. Al-Khawaarij - They are the ones who set out to kill 'Alee bin Abee Taalib (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) due to his rulership. Their methodology consists of freeing themselves from 'Uthmaan (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) and 'Alee (radyAllaahu ‘anhu), setting out against the Imaam if he opposes the Sunnah and declaring disbelief upon the one who commits a major sin. They believe that this type of person will remain in the Hellfire forever. They are divided into numerous groups.

4. Al-Qadariyyah - Their methodology consists of negating Al-Qadar from the actions of the servant and that his desire and ability are independent from the Desire and Ability of Allaah. The first to manifest this view openly was Mu'bad Al-Juhnee, in the last part of the era of the Sahaabah. He learned it from a Majoosee man from Al-Basrah.

They are divided into two groups, one that is extreme and one that is not extreme. The extremist group rejects the attributes of knowledge, desire, ability and creating from Allaah in favor of the actions of the servant. This type of people has now become extinct or close to it. Those that are not extreme believe that Allaah is knowledgeable of the actions of the servant. However, they reject its occurring by His desire, ability and creating. This is what their belief is founded upon.

5. Al-Murji'ah - They believe that actions are deferred from Eemaan (Al-Irjaa). Thus actions, according to them, are not part of it. Eemaan is simply the complying of the heart. Thus the sinner, according to them, is a believer with complete Eemaan, even if he does what he does from the disobedient acts or he abandons what he abandons from the obedient acts. And if we ruled that someone that abandoned one of the commandments of the Religion is a disbeliever, then that would be due to the absence of the complying in his heart not due to his abandonment of that deed. These are the views of the Jahmiyyah. And it, along in comparison with the views of the Khawaarij, are the two opposite extremities.

6. Al-Mu'atazilah - They are the followers of Waasil bin Ataa', who withdrew ('Itizaal) from the gathering of Al-Hasan Al-Basree. He determined that the sinner is in a level between two levels. Thus, he is neither a believer nor a disbeliever, yet he will reside eternally in the Hellfire. 'Amr bin 'Ubaid followed him in that and their views concerning the Attributes of Allaah are based on ta'teel, like the Jahmiyyah, and concerning Al-Qadar, like that of the Qadariyyah.

They reject the relation of the Qadaa and the Qadar of Allaah to the actions of the servant. In regards to the one who commits a major sin, they hold that he will remain in the Hellfire forever and that he is extracted from the fold of Eemaan into a level between the two levels of belief and disbelief. Thus they oppose the views of the Jahmiyyah in regards to these two principles.

7. Al-Karaamiyyah - They are the followers of Muhammad bin Karaam, who died in 225H. They incline towards tashbeeh and hold the belief of Irjaa. They are further divided into numerous groups.

8. As-Saalimah - They are the followers of a man who was called Ibn Saalim. Their views consist of tashbeeh.

These are the groups mentioned by the author. He then said "And those similar to them", such as the Ash'ariyyah. They are the followers of Abul-Hasan 'Alee bin Ismaa'eel Al-Ash'aree. At first, he inclined towards the views of the Mu'tazilah sect, until he reached forty years of age. Then he openly announced his repentance from that to the public and exposed the falsehood of the Mu'tazilah. So he took hold of the methodology of the Ahl-us-Sunnah, may Allaah have mercy on him.

As for those who attribute themselves to him, they remained upon a specific methodology, which is known as the Ash'ariyyah sect. They do not confirm any of Allaah's attributes, except seven, which they believe are proven by intellect. And they distort the meaning of the rest of them. The seven (they affirm) are the ones mentioned in this verse:

"He is Living, Knowing, Able and has Speech

Desire, and likewise Hearing and Seeing"

They also commit other innovations with regard to the meaning of Speech, Al-Qadar and other than that.

Answer 7

You may like to have a look at this book. Its in Urdu but names of all sects are wriiten in their original form (arabic).

Its the most comprehensive list I have ever seen without being biased to any of the sects.

Answer 8

i am a Shia Ismaili,,i only know about my religion, i believe this is true!! i once thought that all muslims were alike but then in high school i watched my fellow muslim friends, i got close to them, we all became best friends and i noticed that shia and sunni people are VERY DIFFERENT..they are waiting for Mohamad to return while we believe that Allah is with us in the face of our Imam,, Sunni women have to cover their bodies and fast during ramadan, while we dont have to neither cover nor fast unless we wanted!,, My friends dont eat meat at school because they think it is Haram but i do as long as i start my meal is Bismillah!,,My friends are not allowed to go to parties or Prom because they think it is haram, i think it is really weird

i thought muslims were all the same but it seems like a whole other religion in there!! i think each group should refer to their group name not just MUSLIM...when i say i am muslim to people who ask about my religion they think i am Sunni,,but i dont want them to think i am like most the muslims at my school----I AM DIFFERENT, I AM ISMAILI, not like all the other muslims.....so thats what i have learned over time

each group of muslims believe differently, they see Allah differently, they pray differnt

in sunni religion men and women cant pray together, but Shia people all men and women pray in the same room together

In sunni men and women dont dance together and party together but Shia people dance and party all in one dance area!!

so i say there is a BIG DIFFERENCE between the branches

anywayz,,

hope i helped

Answer 9

the1qfactor has answered you about the main groups, there are other groups but their activity is diminishing, and most of them did breakaway from Shiaism.

btw, Sunnis differ from Qadianis that we believe in Muhammad (pbuh) as the LAST prophet and the seal of prophethood, while Qadianis believe in Mirza Qadiani as a prophet.

Answer 10

in fact if you talk about Islam ,,there are NO BRANCHES,

[6:159] Those who divide themselves into sects do not belong with you. Their judgment rests with GOD, then He will inform them of everything they had done.

there is only Islam

6:161] Say, "My Lord has guided me in a straight path - the perfect religion of Abraham, monotheism. He never was an idol worshiper."

[6:162] Say, "My Contact Prayers (Salat), my worship practices, my life and my death, are all devoted absolutely to GOD alone, the Lord of the universe.

[6:163] "He has no partner. This is what I am commanded to believe, and I am the first to submit."

[6:164] Say, "Shall I seek other than GOD as a lord, when He is the Lord of all things? No soul benefits except from its own works, and none bears the burden of another. Ultimately, you return to your Lord, then He informs you regarding all your disputes."

every sect has its own hadith book which follow,this is condemned by Allah Allmighty

[30:32] (Do not fall in idol worship,) like those who divide their religion into sects; each party rejoicing with what they have.

[23:53] But they tore themselves into disputing factions; each party happy with what they have.

[23:54] Therefore, just leave them in their confusion, for awhile.