72 sects in Islam; why & which one is right?

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Q:) According wahabis and salafis all the sects are wrong. according to other sects, salafi and wahabis are wrong, how come? why do people divide themselves into sects?

.If 72 sects are going to hell does that mean the people follow the sect mislead by schlor go to hell too? 2. in the answer number "8132" the mufti says that shia were there on the time of the karbala incident can you show me hadeeth or some sort of prove? 3. how can you tell what sect is right? 4. what if someone choices not to follow any sects just follow Quran and Sunnah would it be allowed? 5. according wahabis and salafis all the sects are wrong according to other sects they belive salafi and wahabis are wrong howcome? dont we all follow Quran 6. Last questions why do people divide themselves into sects?

A:) 1) It is incumbent upon every soul to live a life in harmony with the dictates of the Qur’an and Ahadeeth which are the source of our religion, Islam. In both, the Qur’an and Ahadeeth there many laws which are totally evident and understandable, but there are also those laws which require extensive knowledge and expertise to be understood. There are also many other rulings which are not found in the Qur’an and Ahadeeth and therefore requires analogy. Therefore it is imperative for one to understand the Qur’an and Ahadeeth in light of the views held by the Sahabah and their actions. It is for this reason that Nabi (S.A.W.) mentioned that “the group that follows my way and the way of my Sahabah is successful.” This group is known as the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah.

New groups and sects originate, for example, when a person is affected by the conditions in which he lives, and due to the various objections and arguments he is faced with from opposing parties he is left in doubt and confusion. He therefore studies the works of the Sahabah and Salaf-e-Saaliheen in order to combat these objections. However, he does not follow the trend laid out by the Sahabah, but instead tries to give answers based on his own conclusions and understanding. He regards this opinion of his, which is in complete contrast to that of the Salaf-e-Saaliheen, as correct and emphasizes on his point. As a result he starts criticizing the beliefs of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah. At times he abandons the teachings of the Sahabah and early Ulamaa and propagates beliefs which contradict their teachings. People gradually become affected by his ideas, thus bringing a new group into existence.

In this manner another person arises and starts to answer objections according to his speculations which contradict the teachings of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah. His beliefs are also in contradiction with that of the person formerly mentioned and he establishes a group following his conclusions. These two groups oppose one another while opposing the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah. They, therefore, attribute disbelief to all the other sects and consider it an act of reward to usurp their wealth and property.

This is one of the many ways a new group comes into being. It is possible that a group starts with the intention of doing good, but regards themselves as being flawless and everyone else as incorrect, thus deviating from the straight path.

The common aspect found within these different sects is that instead of following the Sahabah and Salaf-e-Saaliheen they rely upon their own knowledge and intelligence. They are therefore not regarded as Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah, but categorized as Ahle Bid’ah (innovators) or Ahlul Ahwaa (those who follow their desires.)

2) In your question, if the word Salafi is referring to those who follow the Sahabah and Salf-e-Saaliheen, then in that case the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah i.e. the four Imams and their followers are all Salafis. They (Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah) maintain great respect for the Sahabah and Salaf-e-Saaliheen and follow their ways. If you are, however, referring to a specific sect, then kindly inform us as to what views they maintain and in which aspects do they differ with the four Imams.

If anyone wishes to live in harmony with the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah then he/she should follow the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah and not oppose them in any aspect. By making ones own research and opposing the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah, a new group will come into being resulting in an increase in sects.

We advise you to associate with the Ulamaa of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah in your locality, rather then studying the views of other groups, and you should participate in their gatherings and do your best in doing good actions.

And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
DARUL IFTA – JAMEAH MAHMOODIYAH, SPRINGS
 

Article Taken (with Thanks) from Islam.tc