Islamic branches: what prevents them from uniting?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful!

Following the overview of Christian denominations, now let’s look at denominations in Islam.

It would be appropriate to entitle this article On the Importance of Unity between Muslims, since our considerations on the root of division in the Muslim world are for the only purpose of reminding all people obedient to Allah’s Will of the vital necessity of Unity and Reconciliation! The present-day challenges faced by the entire humanity urgently require rallying of the whole Muslim world. The recent tragic events in France are just another evidence of such need. If the Islamic world does not unite in the nearest future, certain forces that use the name of Islam for their own inhuman purposes will be able to ensure ruin of the Muslim world. How this may happen?

1. Division of Islam from within: there are a certain number of people who due to the feebleness of their knowledge and awareness are insidiously used by the forces of evil to suit their own ends! Under a beautiful wrapper of “true faith” these people are drawn into serving shaitan, which causes their confrontation with the rest of the Muslim world.
2. The policy and tactics maintained by the aforesaid servants of shaitan may cause a situation when in human minds all over the world there will be an image of a “Muslim enemy”. Hence, aggression and anger provoked by crimes of such servants of evil will pour on the heads of totally innocent Muslims. It should further be noted that for some reason world mass media keep silent about the struggle of faithful Muslims against those who use Islam as a screen to cover their real worth! Why is this being concealed? Why do they keep silent about the fact that Muslims themselves do not recognise relevant destructive organisations as Muslim and fight against that evil at the cost of their lives? Obviously, this is needed to slander Islam as a whole, simply speaking to create an image in the heads of average people that all Muslims are fanatics and terrorists, at the same time perfidiously concealing the number of Muslims who die every day, sacrificing their lives in the fight against the global evil that wears the mask of Islam today. The truth is that crimes and criminals have neither religion nor nationality. One who follows the way of evil deeds turns into an inhuman monster, so such person cannot be reckoned among any nation or religion!

Thus, consolidation of the entire Muslim world is extremely important today, for only unity and rallying can become an adequate response to the challenges of time! We should not forget the words of the Holy Quran (Surah Ali ‘Imran [3:103-105]): 

And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favour of Allah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favour, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.

And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful.

And do not be like the ones who became divided and differed after the clear proofs had come to them. And those will have a great punishment.

So, let’s refer to some branches existing today in the Muslim world.

Sunni:

   Hanafi madhhab (madhhabs are schools of thought within fiqh – Islamic jurisprudence) 
   Shafi’i madhhab
   Maliki madhhab
   Hanbali madhhab 
   Ẓāhirī madhhab 
   Mu’tazila

Shi’ah:

   Isma’ilism 
   Alawi 
   Twelver 
   Zaidiyyah 
   Ja’fari madhhab
   Qaramita
   ‘Alawi 
   Alevi 
   Sevener 
   Nizari 
   Musta’li 
   Bohras 
   Akbari 
   Usuli 
   Tayyibi

Sufi:

   Kubrawiya 
   Mouride 
   Qadiri 
   Naqshbandi 
   Qadirlyyah 
   Suhrawardyya 
   Oveyssi 
   Muridiyya 
   Mawlawi (Mevlevi)
   Tijaniyyah 
   Bektashi 
   Shadhil 
   Chisht’i

Khawarij (Kharijites):

   Azariqa 
   Najdat 
   Baihasites 
   Adjarites 
   Ibadis 
   Sufris

Wahhabism
Salafism
Murji’s
Tablighi Jamaat
Ash’arism
Maturidites
Mu’tazilites
Asarites
Ahmadiyya
Kadarites
Quranism

Allah is One. Hence, a question arises what all these branches and denominations divide between themselves, being unable to agree for a long time. Why don’t Muslims unite into a single movement – Unified Islam? The answer is obvious: those who lead all the listed branches and denominations will never agree to lose their power over people and will do their best to further divide people into numerous sects and movements. Yet, there is a big question whether people themselves need this. Moreover, wouldn’t be much easier for people to just stop listening to all those dividers and simply unite?

In his farewell sermon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim, and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Do not therefore do injustice to yourselves.

The following words by Allah’s Messenger also deserve remembrance:

Remember one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not astray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

This is very close to what Isa (Jesus) taught, isn't it? By the way, as for those who believe true faith is manifested in malevolence or hostility towards Christians or Jews should remember that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was married to a Christian woman and a Hebrewess. Moreover, his memorable words are noteworthy: “Whoever insults People of the Book insults me.”

Allah helps His servant for as long as the servant helps his brother. (Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

As it has been already said, Muslims can overcome ordeals only in Unity. Today, when owing to the Grace of Almighty Allah Imam Mahdi has arrived, this is a signal for the entire Muslim world to maintain peace and unite!

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, the Most Gracious and Most Merciful, the Sovereign of the day of retribution! We worship You alone, and we ask only You for help. Lead us along the direct way, the way of those whom You showed much favour, not those who got seized with anger and not the lost ones.

Prepared by Jebrail Vahab