What are all the different sects of Islam?

Question

I know that Sunni, Shi`a, and Kharijite are sects, but are there any others?

(If you find any info, please list your source.)

73! That's a lot!
Could you please list the major sects?

Answer 1

I think you will find this very informative...

There are in total 73 sects in Islam, the largest two being Sunni and Shiite, followed by Suffi's (Mystics).

Name of the Sect
Basic Belief Distinguishing it from Others

1.Jarudiyah
Followers of Abu'l-Jarud, They believe Prophet (pbuh) designated Ali (ra) as the Imam by his characteristics but not by name.
2. Sulaimaniah / Jaririyah
Followers of Sulaiman ibn-Jarir al-Zaidi, They believed Imamat was a matter of conference and could be confirmed by two best Muslims.
3. Butriyah / Hurariyah
They did not dispute the Khilafat of Uthman, neither they attack him nor praise him.
4. Yaqubiyya
They accepted the Khilafat of Abu Bakr and Umar, but did not reject those who rejected these Khulafaa. They also believed that Muslim committers of Major sins will be in hell fire forever.
5. Hanafiyah
Followers of the Imammate of Muhammad ibn-al-Hanifah. They believe that Allah might have had a beginning.
6. Karibiyah
They believed that Imam Muhammad ibn-al-Hanifah is not dead and is the Imam Ghaib (in disappearance) and the expected Mahdi.
7. Kamiliyah
Followers of abu-Kamil. They believed companions to be heretic because they forsook their allegiance to Ali and condemn Ali for ceasing to fight them. They believed in the returning of the dead before the Day of Resurrection and that Satan is right in preferring fire to clay.
8. Muhammadiyyah / Mughairiyah
Followers of Muhammad ibn-'Abdullah ibn-al-Hassan. They do not believe that Imam Muhammad ibn-'Abdullah died and that he is Imam Ghaib and awaited Mahdi.
9. Baqiriyah
Followers of Muhammad ibn-'Ali al-Baqir. They believe him to be the Imam Ghaib and expected Mahdi.
10. Nadisiyah
They believe that those who consider themselves better than anyone else are Kafirs (disbelievers).
11. Sha'iyah
They believe that the one who has recited La Ilaha Il-Allah (There is none worthy of worship except Allah), whatever she or he does, will never be punished.
12. Ammaliyah
They believe that faith for one is what he/she sincerely practices.
13. Ismailiyah
They believe in the continuity of Imammate among the descendants of Ismail ibn-Ja'far.
14. Musawiyah / Mamturah
They believe Musa ibn-Ja'far to be the Imam Ghaib and expected Mahdi.
15. Mubarikiyah
They believe in the continuity of Imammate among the descendants of Muhammad ibn-Ismail ibn-Ja'far.
16. Kathiyah / Ithn 'Ashariya (the Twelvers)
They believe that expected Mahdi will be the twelveth Imam among the descendants of 'Ali ibn-abi-Talib.
17. Hashamiya / Taraqibiyah
They Predicate a body to Allah and also allege Prophet (pbuh) of disobedience to Allah.
18. Zarariyah
They believed that Allah did not live nor had any attributes till He created for Himself life and His attributes.
19. Younasiyah
Followers of Younas ibn-'Abd-al-Rahman al-Kummi. They believe that Allah is borne by bearers of His Throne, though He is stronger than they.
20. Shaitaniyah / Shireekiyah
They believed in the view that deeds of servants of Allah are substances; and a servant of Allah can really produce a substance.
21. Azraqiah
Followers of Nafi ibn-al-Azraq. They do not believe in the good dreams and vision and claim that all forms of revelation has ended.
22. Najadat
Followers of Najdah ibn-'Amir al-Hanafi. They abolished the punishment for drinking wine also they believed that sinners of this sect would not be treated in hellfire but some other place before allowed in paradise.
23. Sufriyah
Followers of Ziyad ibn-al-Asfar. They believed that sinners are in fact polytheists.
24. Ajaridah
Followers of Abd-al-Karim ibn-Ajrad. They believed that a child should be called to Islam after it has attained maturity. Also they believed booty of war to be unlawful till the owner is killed.
25. Khazimiyah
They believe Allah loves men of all faiths even if one has been disbeliever most of his life.
26. Shuaibiyah / Hujjatiyah
They believe that what Allah desires does happen no matter what and what does not happen it means Allah desires it not.
27. Khalafiyah
Followers of Khalaf. They do not believe in fighting except under the leadership of an Imam.
28. Ma'lumiyah / Majhuliyah
They believed that whoever did not recognize Allah by all His names was ignorant of Him and anyone ignorant of Him was a disbeliever.
29 Saltiyah
Followers of Salt ibn-Uthman. They believed in the conversion of adults only and if father has converted to Islam children were considered disbeliever till they reach maturity.
30. Hamziyah
Followers of Hamza ibn-Akrak. They believe that children of polythiests are condemned to hell.
31. Tha'libiyah
Followers of Tha'labah ibn-Mashkan. They believe that parents remain guardian over their children of any age until children make it clear to parents that they are turning away from truth.
32. Ma'badiyah
They did not believe in taking or giving alms from or to slaves.
33. Akhnasiyah
They do not believe in waging a war except in defense or when the opponent is known personally.
34. Shaibaniyah / Mashbiyah
Followers of Shaiban ibn-Salamah al-Khariji. They believe Allah resembles His creatures.
35. Rashidiyah
They believe that land watered by springs, canals or flowing rivers should pay half the Zakat (Tithe), while land watered by rain only should pay the full Zakat.
36. Mukarramiyah / Tehmiyah
Followers of abu-Mukarram. They believe that ignorance constitutes as disbelief. Also that Allah enmity or friendship depends upon the state of a persons belief at his death.
37. Ibadiyah / Af'aliyah
Consider Abdullah ibn-Ibad as their Imam. They believe in doing good deeds without the intention of pleasing Allah.
38. Hafsiyah
Consider Hafs ibn-abi-l-Mikdam as their Imam. They believe that only knowing Allah frees one from polytheism
39. Harithiya
Followers of Harith ibn-Mazid al-Ibadi. They believe that the ability precedes the deeds.
40. Ashab Ta'ah They believe that Allah can send a prophet without giving him any sign to prove his prophecy.
41. Shabibiyah / Salihiyah
Followers of Shabib ibn-Yazid al-Shaibani. They believe in the Imamate of a woman named Ghazalah.
42. Wasiliyah
Followers of Wasil ibn-'Ata al-Ghazza. They believe that those who commit major sins will be punished in hell but still remain believers.
43. 'Amriyah
Followers of 'Amr ibn-Ubaid ibn-Bab. They reject the legal testimony of people from supporters of either side of the battle of Camel.
44. Hudhailiyah / Faniya
Followers of abu-al-Hudhail Muhammad ibn-al-Hudhail. They believe that both Hell and Paradise will perish and that preordination of Allah can cease, at which time Allah will no longer be omnipotent.
45. Nazzamiyah
Followers of abu-Ishaq Ibrahim ibn-Saiyar. They do not believe in the miraculous nature of the Holy Quran nor do they believe the miracles of Holy Prophet (pbuh) like splitting the moon.
46. Mu'ammariyah
They Believe that Allah neither creates life nor death but it is an act of the nature of living body..
47. Bashriyah
Followers of Bashr ibn-al-Mu'tamir. They believe that Allah may forgive a man his sins and may change His mind about this forgiveness and punish him if he is disobedient again.
48. Hishamiyah
Followers of Hisham ibn-'Amr al-Futi. They believe that if a Muslim community come to consensus it need an Imam and if it rebels and kills its Imam, no one should be chosen an Imam during a rebellion.
49. Murdariyah
Followers of Isa ibn-Sabih. They believe that staying in close communication with the Sultan (ruler) makes one unbeliever.
50. Ja'friyah
Followers of Ja'far ibn-Harb and Ja'far ibn-Mubashshir. They believe that drinking raw wine is not punishable and that punishment of hell could be inferred by a mental process.
51. Iskafiyah
Followers of Muhammad ibn-Abdallah al-Iskafi. They believe that Allah has power to oppress children and madmen but not those who have their full senses.
52. Thamamiyah
Followers of Thamamah ibn-Ashras al-Numairi. They believe that he whom Allah does not compel to know Him, is not compelled to know and is classed with animals who are not responsible.
53. Jahiziayh
Followers of 'Amr ibn-Bahr al-Jahiz. They believe that Allah is able to create a thing but unable to annihilate it.
54. Shahhamiyah / Sifatiyah
Followers of abu-Yaqub al-Shahham. They everything determined is determined by two determiners, one the Creator and the other acquirer.
55. Khaiyatiyah / Makhluqiyah
Followers of abu-al-Husain al-Khaiyat. They believe that everything non-existant is a body before it appears, like man before it is born is a body in non-existance. Also that every attribute becomes existant when it makes its appearance.
56. Ka'biyah
Followers of abu-Qasim Abdullah ibn-Ahmad ibn-Mahmud al-Banahi known as al-Ka'bi. They believe that Allah does not see Himself nor anyone else except in the sense that He knows Himself and others.
57. Jubbaiyah
Followers of abu-'Ali al-Jubbai. They believe that Allah obeys His servants when He fulfill their wish
58.Bahshamiyah
Followers of abu-Hashim. They believe that one who desires to do a bad deed, though may not do it, commits infidelity and deserves punishment.
59. Ibriyah.
They believe that Holy Prophet (pbuh) was a wise man but not a prophet.
60. Muhkamiyah
They believe that God has no control over His creations.
61. Qabariyya
They do not believe in the punishment of grave.
62. Hujjatiya
They do not believe in the punishment for deeds on the grounds that because everything is determined so whatever one does s/he is not responsible for it..
63. Fikriyya
They believe that doing Dhikr and Fikr (Remembering and thinking about Allah) is better than worship.
64. 'Aliviyah / Ajariyah
They believe that Hadhrat Ali share prophethood with Muhammad (pbuh).
65. Tanasikhiya
They believe in the re-incarnation of soul.
66. Raji'yah
They believe that Hadhrat Ali ibn-abi-Talib will return to this world.
67. Ahadiyah
They believe in the Fardh (obligations) in faith but deny the sunnah.
68. Radeediyah
They believe that this world will live forever.
69. Satbiriyah
They do not believe in the acceptance of repentance.
70. Lafziyah
They believe that Quran is not the word of God but only its meaning and essence is the word of God. Words of Quran are just the words of narrator.
71. Ashariyah
The believe that Qiyas (taking a guess) is wrong and amounts to disbelief.
72. Bada'iyah
They believe that obedience to Ameer is obligatory no matter what he commands.

Answer 2

The differences between the sects or the branches of Islam are not in the basic principles but in the minor things. We don't have to follow any branch or sect, that is what I do. The most important sources of Islam are the Qur'an and the authentic hadiths. Then there is the life of the prophet (pbuh) and the actions of the companions. However, the Qur'an and the authentic hadiths are the most important. Learn from these and question anything you hear that seems strange. And, by the way, it is getting annoying that one of the answers is saying "except for killing infidels" and is just saying it over and over like a talking bird. Check what you have from the Qur'an and authentic translations not someone who claims that they were so-called "Islamic terrorists" and now they are describing their own prejudice knowing a few thing about Islam.

Answer 3

2 others I am familiar with:

Sufism, which is very mystical in its approach. I believe, if I remember correctly from a video I saw, it's really popular in Indonesia. There are different sects of Sufi. Qadiri, Shadhili, Chishti, Naqshbandi, and Rifa'i. I don't know a lot about the differences, but google might be able to tell you :)

Ahmadiyya- This is probably the most controversial from a Theological stance. It was founded in the late 1800s (Almost 1900 I think) in India. It claims Jesus actually feigned his crucifixion and resurrection then moved to live in India until he was 120. When the originator of this sect died, it split off into two sects, one claiming the originator was a prophet and the other claiming he was more a reformer.

If you google those terms, you'll probably find a lot of information.

Hope this helps!
Matt

Answer 4

Your question brought a wide smile on my face.

Islamic knowledge and teachings are intact. Its as pure as these were revealed onto Last Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Its not the religion that have sects. Its people that have sects depending on varying degree of the knowledge of past because some of them are more inclined to human preaching than to the preaching of Quran and Hadiths. They rank spiritual leaders (Sufis) higher than preaching of Islam while they do not study the Quran and Hadiths themselves.

How funny it is that we have as many sects as many spiritual leaders.

This sectarianism shall continue to grow unless Muslims stop to following the unauthenticated Islamic literature and replace it with Quran and Hadith which is pure form of Islam.

I know, i have deviated from your point of view. I did not drop here to mark score but to correct your question.

Best regards.

Answer 5

There is NO sect in Islam..!! Islam means submission to Allah Ta'allah, and a Muslims is who follows and practice Islam. Starting from Prophet "Nuh" Alaihissalaam, Ibrahim (AS), Musa (AS), Isa (AS) and many Prophets in between to Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Wa'alahiwassallam; who was the last of Prophets. Politics later created many followers of theirs to divide the Ummah and therefore created the human sects... Islam itself has No Sect. Islam is one Hanafi sect of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) followed by all other Prophets. i.e. There is NO God but one Creator, Sustainer, "ALLAH" (God in English language )

Answer 6

Shi'ism is broken into three main sects. The Twelve-Imam (Persia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Pakistan, and Syria); the Zaydis (Yemen); the Ismailis (India, Iran, Syria, and East Africa). Each group has differences of doctrine.

Wahhabis, who are a very militant sect.

Suffis

Bahaiism

Muhammad predicted that his followers would become divided into seventy-three sects, every one of whom would go to hell, except one sect, the religion professed by himself and his companions. However the number of Islamic sects, now over 150, has far exceeded Muhammad's prediction and they believe that they are the correct one and all the others are going to Hell.

Answer 7

There are several others, see the book "Islam: A Short History" by Karen Armstrong. She is a very good author.

Sunni is the largest, Shi'a next, and then Sufism, I believe. But there are others.

But when you go to masjid, all are supposed to be one--just Muslim.

Answer 8

786

"Bismillahirahmaniraheem."
"In the Name of God, the Most Merciful and Compassionate."

Sufism predates Islam.
The Sufis knew of the coming of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) before the birth of Prophet Jesus (PBUH). This small group of humans intermingled with the early Christians and joined the ranks of the Islamic Tradition because of a long and patient wait for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to arrive on earth. Thus they joined the ranks of Islam because of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

I hope this helps clarify the role of the Sufis, within the Beautiful and rich Islamic Tradition.

All Islamic traditions contrary to what we have seen in the world are all one United Family.
Ameen and Amen.

Answer 9

Islam is Islam and the Sunnita muslims are its followers who follow the Quraan, the Sunna and the saheeh (authentic) hadeths.
The other "branches" are something else.

Answer 10

Kharijite is not a sect... it basically means ex-Muslim...

Kharij means outside... Khariji or Khawarej is outsider... those who have turned away from Islam...