The Reality of the 73 Sects in Islam and the Status of Deviant Groups

Compiled by Ali Hussain Dhuniya

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بِسۡمِ اللهِ الرَّحۡمٰنِ الرَّحِيۡمِ
In the Name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

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The Reality of the 73 Sects in Islam

It is true that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ informed us that this Ummah will divide into 73 sects and all of them are in hellfire except one which is called “the saved sect” or “the party of Allah (hijbullah)”.

Are all the 72 sects Kāfir or Mushrik groups?

The short answer is: No. Not all of the 72 sects are kāfir (disbelievers) or mushrik (polytheists). Among them:

• Some are clearly unbelievers due to their beliefs and actions, such as Barelvi-Sufis, Naqshbandi-Sufis, Rāfidah-Shias, extreme Jahmiyah, extreme Mu‘tazilah, extreme Qadariyyah, extreme Khawarij, and so on.
• Some are Muslims but have innovations (bid‘ah) that are less than major shirk or major kufr, such as Deobandi-Sufi, Ashari, Zaydi-Shia, Maturudi, and so on.

The 73 sects mentioned are foundational groups, from which many branches and sub-sects have emerged. The number of actual sects today exceeds 73, but the foundational deviance goes back to these core 72 sects.

Examples of Foundational Deviant Groups and Their Branches

Sufism (Main Group)

• Barelvi-Sufis – follow the Qādirī order, attributed to Shaykh ‘Abdul Qādir al-Jīlānī.
• Naqshbandi-Sufis – follow Baha’ al-Din Naqshband.
• Chishtīyah-Sufis – follow Moinuddin Chishti.
• Deobandi-Sufis – though different in structure, many practice forms of Sufism.
• And many others.

Shia (Main Group)

• Rāfidah Shias – the worst in disbelief and actions, known for cursing the Companions and exaggerating their Imams.
• Zaydiyyah Shias – less extreme than the Rāfidah.
• Fatimiyyah Shias
• Others based on creed and historical development.

Groups That Fall Into Major Shirk and Kufr

Barelvi-Sufis and Rāfidah Shias are among those who have fallen into major shirk and kufr openly. They invoke those buried in the grave, seek help from saints (awliyah), and exaggerate the status of humans, which nullifies Islam completely and enters them into the category of kāfir and mushrik.

Other kāfir groups from the people of ‘Ilm al-Kalām (philosophy) include:

• Extreme Mu‘tazilah – denied many attributes of Allah and prioritized reason over revelation.
• Extreme Jahmiyyah – denied Allah’s names and attributes.
• Extreme Qadariyyah – denied Allah’s decree (Qadar).

These beliefs contradict Tawḥīd, and the scholars of Ahlus Sunnah have made general takfīr (takfīr ‘āmm) upon them.

Refuting Shirk Is the First Priority

Allah emphasized that the unforgivable sin is shirk. From Prophet Adam (alayhis-salam) until Prophet Nuh (alayhis-salam), all people were upon Islam (fitrah). Shirk was introduced gradually after the righteous men passed away, and people began worshipping idols.

Qur’anic Evidence:

• “And they have said, ‘You shall not leave your gods, nor shall you leave Wadd, nor Suwa‘, nor Yaghuth, and Ya‘uq, and Nasr.’” (Surah Nuh 71:23)
• “Verily, shirk (joining others in worship with Allah) is a great injustice (zulm).” (Surah Luqman 31:13)
• “Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:48, 4:116)

This demonstrates that dying upon shirk without sincere repentance leads to eternal Hellfire. Major shirk (shirk al-akbar) causes eternal punishment, while minor shirk (shirk al-asghar) is still a grave sin.

Historical Context

During the time of the last Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Arabs engaged in alcohol consumption, zina, burying daughters alive, usury, tribal killings, and superstitions. Yet Allah commanded the Prophet ﷺ first to call to La ilaha illa Allah, emphasizing Tawheed and refuting shirk above all else.

Qur’anic Verses:

• “And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad ﷺ) but We revealed to him (saying): La ilaha illa Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allah)], so worship Me (alone and none else).” (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:25)
• “And verily, We have sent among every nation a Messenger (proclaiming): ‘Worship Allah and avoid the Taghut (all the false objects of worship).’” (Surah An-Nahl 16:36)

This confirms that the foundation of every message is Tawheed and the first call of every Messenger is to refute shirk.