Sects in Islam
By Col. Riaz Jafri
(Retd)
Rawalpindi, Pakistan
On the 18 August
Aalim-on-Line TV program in reply to a question
as to why there were 72 Firqas in Islam Allama
Shabbir Ahmed Azhari, without analysing the in-depth
causes for such a large number of sects in Islam,
just quoted a Hadeeth in which the Prophet (SWA)
had said that whereas the earlier religions had
72 sects Islam would have 73, and out of the 73
one will be Bahishti and 72 will be Jahanami.
I think this was totally uncalled for and out-rightly
offensive to Muslims belonging to the sects other
than that of the Allama, who had naturally assumed
himself to be part of the only correct sect and
therefore Bahishti or else he would have changed
his sect for the better.
First of all, I do not know how authentic this
Hadeeth is. Even if it were the Allama should
have refrained from quoting it, for, it makes
every one belonging to any sect more staunch in
his views and beliefs as he cannot even for a
second consider himself to be wrong and consequently
Jahanami. Such authoritative dispensation by our
so-called Ulema and Allamas is not at all conducive
to the solidarity of the Ummah and gives rise
to sectarianism of the worst order. As the Allama
had pronounced every one else Jahanami other than
the followers of his sect, a friend listening
to the Allama and obviously hurt beyond redemption
passed the unsavoury remark that the Allama's
sect fellows did not even know how to perform
Wazoo correctly, let alone offering prayers. They
wash their feet when the Qura'n clearly ordains
to rub them lightly with wet hand - masah karna
(faighsiloo wujoohakum waaydiyakum ila almarafiqi
waimsahoo biruoosikum waarjulakum ila alkaAAbayni
Al-Maidah 5:6)
He wanted to ask the Allama which sect in his
opinion was Bahishti, the one performing Wazoo
as told in Qur’an or the one doing it the
other way?
Such narrow minded Allamas should not be allowed
to appear on TV religious programs to preach hatred
and promote sectarianism.
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