73 sects in Islam

[shanu]

Dear Imam Sahib,

Assalamalaikum,

It is mentioned in the Hadith that Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa Rasoolallah Sallaho Taala Alaihi Wasssallam has said that the muslims will be divided into 73 sects.

Can you tell which was the first division of sect and how many sects have been divided till date. How many remain to be divided in future.

Also who are the 30 dajjals (liars). How many of them have already appeared and how many remain to appear.

[Imam]

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem,

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

Praise be to Allah who is the Lord of the Worlds, and endless Blessings be upon His Last Messenger Muhammad, (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam).

In relation to your question regarding the seventy three sects in Islam, in the hadith it is stated:

'satafriqu ummati 'ala thalathiw wa sab'ina'

'Soon, there will be seventy three sects in my community'.

Although it is unclear as to how many sects there have been to-date, in regard to the above hadith, nevertheless the scholars ('ulama') have stated that many of these sects have come into existence.

For example, one of the first sects that appeared after the time of the Messenger of Allah (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam), at the time of the khulafa'-e-Rashidin was the kharijis, who turned a blind eye to Hadrat 'Ali Radi Allahu anhu, yet still believed in the three khalifahs (khulafa'e'thalatha).

Alternatively, there still exists a faction today, who are in opposition to the kharijis, known as the Rafidhis. They too claim that Hadrat 'Ali Radi Allahu anhu was the greatest of the khalifahs, yet within this group, there are so many factions. Some claim Hadrat 'Ali Radi Allahu anhu, to be a Messenger, and some even claim that he had revelation (wahy) revealed to him. (may Allah save us from such groups.)

Throughout time, other groups then did emerge, for example the 'qadariyyah', and the 'zahiriyyah'. The 'Qadariyyah', was a mu'tazilli group, who believes that Allah the Almighty has given the choice (qadr', to men in that they are free to do what they feel. And according to this they may do right or wrong, good, or bad, light or evil, in the event of deeds.

The Zahiris on the other hand were a group who would take words from the Qur'an or the ahadith, from their literal meaning. They would not indulge in issues that would be real, or metophorical, thus the same traits of such people can be evident today.

Today there are so many sects, that i think if you counted all of the divisions and sub divisions, they would mount to a great number. You have divisions, and then sub divisions, and some even believe what their leaders had authored, yet when the time to admit this arrives, they remain silent.

Then there is those groups who claim to follow the messenger of Allah (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam), yet act according to the teachings of their own ideology. It may be thought that money, wealth, and fame would be a major factor, in playing the part that they play.

The Messenger of Allah (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam), also said in a hadith:

'yub'atha dajjaluna kadhabuna qaribum min thalathina kulluhum yaz'umu annahu rasululahi'

'Some liars who will be dajjals will be sent, nearly thirty, who will claim that they are the Messenger of Allah'

This hadith, and the above hadith clearly shows the knowledge of the unseen ('ilm-e-ghayb), that had been bestowed upon the Messenger of Allah (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam), as the years of His Blessed life increased, so did the revelation of the Qur'an, and so did His knwledge (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam).

At the time, of the Messenger of Allah (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam), there was another man who also claimed prophethood, and was called 'Musaylimah the liar'. Musaylimah also swore allegiance at the hands of the Messenger of Allah (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam), and asked the Messenger of Allah (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam) whether he could be the Messenger's successor. At the time a palm branch was in front of the Messenger (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam) as He said:

'Even if you ask me of this palm branch I am not ready to give it to you.'

According to another hadith, he did not swear allegiance to the Messenger of Allah (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam), but made it a condition in order to gain messengership. That if he gained messengership, he would swear allegiance to the Messenger of Allah (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam)

When Musaylimah knew he had failed he annonced his messengership, and claimed he was in partnership with the Messenger of Allah (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam). He was already known as the 'liar of yamamah', as his age was well over a hundred.

The first one to attack Musaylimah was the First Khalifah Syedina Abu Bakr Siddiq Radi Allahu anhu, but later Hadrat Khalid bin Walid Radi Allahu anhu went to war against Musaylimah, as thousands of people lost their lives, on both sides. Musaylimah was also killed, as the end to his mischief had come.

Musaylimah had also another lady in his marriage who also claimed that she was a messenger. Her name was Sabbah bint Harith Tamimah, and Musaylimah had married her due to what she had claimed.

Other famous 'liars' was Aswad Ansi, his real name was said to be Ayhilah. Aswad would normally rely on black magic to show people that he was a Messenger. He claimed that whatever he said was from the ar-Rahman. He is also known as 'dhul himar', 'the one with a donkey'. Aswad was a rebel of Islam as he constructed his own kingdom, but later his own people along with his wife planned, and killed him.

Although there are other false prohets and messengers, which have not been mentioned, but by looking at the 'sirah' books you will be able to read about those that arose at the time of the Messenger (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam).

However, after the Messenger of Allah (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam), there have been many claimants, which can be read about, in the books of history. A more modern day claimant of a messenger is the famous Ghulam Ahmad Qadhi'ani, who claimed to be a prophet, some say that he was the last messiah, some say Mahdi, and some claim he had revelation revealed to him.

Also, the Dajjal, about whom the Messenger of Allah (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam) gave a clear description. Dajjal will claim to be a messenger too, and he will show the people his tricks, in order for them to blindly follow him. He will later be destroyed by Allahs Messenger Hadrat Isa Alahis Salam.

It is interesting to read about such people, as it gives you a feel of how the enemies of Islam arose, how they were dealt with, and what they claimed. Here, I have mentioned, but a few.

May Allah save our religion from destruction, and may he keep us on the path that is true.

Wallahu A'lamu Biththawaab.

M. Waseem Ashrafi.