Islamic Groups & Sects

أهل السنة والجماعة

The mainstream body of Muslims who follow the Quran, the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, and the understanding of the Companions. Encompasses the four schools of fiqh (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali) and the three schools of aqeedah (Athari, Ash'ari, Maturidi).

شيعة

Groups that believe Ali ibn Abi Talib should have been the immediate successor of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and that leadership (imamah) should have remained in the Prophet's family. Various sub-sects differ significantly in their beliefs and practices.

خوارج

An early sect that emerged during the caliphate of Ali ibn Abi Talib, rebelling against both Ali and Muawiyah after the Battle of Siffin. Known for extreme positions on takfir (declaring Muslims as disbelievers for sins). Their ideology has influenced modern extremist groups.

معتزلة

A rationalist theological school that flourished from the 8th to 10th centuries. Emphasized reason over revelation in theological matters. Notorious for the Mihna (inquisition) where they persecuted scholars who refused to accept the createdness of the Quran. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal famously resisted.

قدرية

An early theological sect that denied divine predestination (qadr), arguing that humans have complete free will independent of Allah's will. Opposed by the majority of scholars. The first to introduce this view was Ma'bad al-Juhani (d. 699 CE).

جهمية

Founded by Jahm ibn Safwan (d. 746 CE). Denied all divine attributes, claiming Allah has no attributes that can be described. Also promoted extreme fatalism (jabr). Strongly refuted by Imam Ahmad and other scholars of the Salaf.

مرجئة

A sect that held that faith (iman) consists only of belief in the heart, and that actions have no bearing on one's faith. They 'delayed' (irja') judgment of sinners to Allah. Their position on faith was considered dangerous as it could lead to moral laxity.

أحمدية

Founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (d. 1908) in British India, who claimed to be a prophet after Muhammad ﷺ. This directly contradicts the Islamic belief in Muhammad ﷺ as the final prophet (Khatam an-Nabiyyin). Considered outside of Islam by consensus of Muslim scholars.

أمة الإسلام

Founded by Wallace Fard Muhammad in Detroit in 1930. Not an Islamic group despite using Islamic terminology. Teaches racial doctrines (black supremacy), deification of Fard Muhammad, and Elijah Muhammad as a prophet. Completely outside of Islam.

إباضية

A distinct Islamic sect that is neither Sunni nor Shia, tracing its origins to the early Khawarij but distancing itself from their extremism. The Ibadis consider themselves the original Muslims. They reject the Kharijite practice of declaring other Muslims as disbelievers. Predominant in Oman, where it is the state religion, and found in parts of North and East Africa.

دروز

A religious group that originated from the Ismaili Shia sect in the 11th century. Founded by Hamza ibn Ali during the Fatimid Caliph al-Hakim's reign. Believe in the divinity of al-Hakim and reincarnation. Not considered Muslims by Islamic scholarship. Found mainly in Lebanon, Syria, and Israel.

علوية

An esoteric sect that originated from Shia Islam, founded by Muhammad ibn Nusayr in the 9th century. Their secret doctrines include elements of deification of Ali, reincarnation, and incorporation of Christian and pre-Islamic elements. Prominent in Syria where they form the ruling class.

بهائية

An offshoot of the Babi movement in 19th-century Persia. Founded by Mirza Husayn Ali Nuri (Baha'ullah), who claimed to be a new messenger of God after Muhammad. Rejects the finality of prophethood. Considered a separate religion entirely, not a sect of Islam.

قرآنيون

A modern movement that rejects the authority of the Hadith and Sunnah, claiming to follow only the Quran. This position is unanimously rejected by Islamic scholars across all madhabs, as the Quran itself commands obedience to the Prophet and the Sunnah is essential for understanding how to practice Islam.