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QURANIC VIEW ON
SECTARIANISM
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What is sectarianism?
 Sect:
“a subdivision of a larger religious group, the members of which have to
some extent diverged from the rest by developing deviating beliefs,
practices, etc”
 Sectarianism
“adhering to a particular sect, faction, or doctrine“
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QURANIC VIEW ON SECTARIANISM
 “You (O-Muhummed ) have nothing to do with those, who
have split up their religion and become sects.Their case
rests with Allah, and He Himself will let them know what
they have done”{6:159} Inaam
 ‫جن لوگوں نے اپنے دین میں (بہت سے) رستے نکالے اور کئی کئی‬
‫فرقے ہو گئے ان سے تم کو کچھ کام نہیں ان کا کام خدا کے حوالے پھر‬
‫جو کچھ وہ کرتے رہے ہیں وہ ان کو (سب) بتائے گا‬
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QURANIC VIEW ON SECTARIANISM
 “ And not do not be like those who became divided into sects
and got involved in differences of opinion even after receiving
clear teachings.Those (who have caused division) shall suffer
terrible punishments” {3:105}
 ‫اور ان لوگوں کی طرح نہ ہونا جو متفرق ہو گئے اور احکام بین آنے کے‬
‫بعد ایک دوسرےسے (خالف و) اختالف کرنے لگے یہ وہ لوگ ہیں جن‬
‫کو قیامت کے دن بڑا عذاب ہوگا‬
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QURANIC VIEW ON SECTARIANISM
 Sectarianism called Shirk
 “And do not be of Mushriks who have set up their
separate creeds and divided themselves into sects, each
sect rejoicing in what it has” {30:31-32}
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‫‪QURANIC VIEW ON SECTARIANISM‬‬
‫}‪ “Hold fast together Allah’s cord and let nothing divide you”. {3:103‬‬
‫}‪ “Establish this Deen and be not divided in it” {42:13-14‬‬
‫اسی نے تمہارے لئے دین کا وہی رستہ مقرر کیا جس (کے اختیار کرنے کا) نوح کو حکم دیا‬
‫تھا اور جس کی (اے محمدﷺ) ہم نے تمہاری طرف وحی بھیجی ہے اور جس کا ابراہیم‬
‫عیسی کو حکم دیا تھا (وہ یہ) کہ دین کو قائم رکھنا اور اس میں پھوٹ نہ‬
‫موسی اور‬
‫اور‬
‫ٰ‬
‫ٰ‬
‫ڈالنا۔ جس چیز کی طرف تم مشرکوں کو بالتے ہو وہ ان کو دشوار گزرتی ہے۔ هللا جس‬
‫کو چاہتا ہے اپنی بارگاہ کا برگزیدہ کرلیتا ہے اور جو اس کی طرف رجوع کرے اسے‬
‫اپنی طرف رستہ دکھا دیتا ہے‬
‫‪7‬‬
QURANIC VIEW ON SECTARIANISM
“ Allah had called you Muslims before this and has called you
(by the same name in this Quran) also so that the Messenger
may be a witness in regard to you and you may be witness in
regard to the rest of mankind. ”
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REASONS OF MUSLIM SECTARIANISM
 Tribal system and racial prejudices
“O mankind, we created you from one man and one woman, and then
divided you into nations and tribes so that you may recognize one
another. Indeed the most honorable among you in the sight of Allah is
he who is the most pious of you”{49:13}
 The conflict of caliphate
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REASONS OF MUSLIM DIVIDE
 Theological Divide:
 Shia Fiqah
 Fiqha Jafaria
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Solution

Quran and Sunnah
“We have made this Quran an easy means of admonition.Then, is there any who
would take admonition?” {54:17}
“There was indeed best model for you in Messenger of Allah” {33:21}
“They have made their scholars and monks as their Lords besides Allah”{9:31}
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Solution
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CONCLUSION
 Deterioration and down fall
of Muslim Ummah/
Society
 Preventive as well as
curative measures be taken
to control both the
manifestation and root
causes of sectarian conflict
 Respect for positive
traditions and cultural and
religious heritage
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CONCLUSION
 Avoiding any injury to the feelings of others
 The ban on the misuse of loudspeakers and production of
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



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hate material
The role of media
Enlightened Ulema who eschew sectarianism take an active
role
Avoid blind following
Interfaith/ Intersects Dialogue
Commonalities
Tolerance
DIFFERENCE IN THEORY
&
PRACTICE
Basis of Sectarian Divide
 Early History
 Interpretation of Quran
 Adherence to Islamic practices
 Sources of Shriah
 Concept of Islamic Renaissance
 Owing to Personality Cult
 On the issue of Science and Religion
 Sufi Practices
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Sectarianism in Islamic History
 Civil Wars on Political Issues in the Early Times of Islam
 Khalafat




Non Payer of Zakat
Murtids /Apostate
Khawarij
Mutual wars
THE MOTAZILLA SECT
 Wasil Ibn Ata 8th century
 Followers expanded on the logic and rationalism of Greek
philosophy, seeking to combine them with Islamic doctrines for
they believed that both were inherently compatible
 Whether the Quran was created or eternal,
 the issue of destiny versus free will,
 whether God’s attributes in the Quran were to be interpreted
metaphorically or literally
 whether sinning believers would have eternal punishment in hell
 They believed only in the Quran as a basis for their doctrines.
 They practice strict monogamy and a divorce needs the interference
of a judge
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Al Ash'ari,
 Al Ash'ari, whom the Ash'arite movement is named after, left
the Mu'tazilites and realigned himself with the more
orthodox doctrine.
 Concept of free will in which he denied man possessed, yet
believed that people had control over their obligations
 Al Ash'ari is credited with developing a system of Islamic
religious thought
 This system, based on reason and rationality, gained widespread
popularity and still affects the Islamic world today
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Interpretation of Quran
 Four Schools of Sunni Fiqah
 Hanbli
 Maliki
 Shafi
 Hanafi
 Jaffari


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Ismail (after the death of Hazrat Ismail Ra s/o Hazrat
Imam Jaffar Sadiq 6th Imam)
Now called Agha Khani
Cont….
 Sources of Shriah
 Ahl-e-alhadis
 Alh-e_Sunnah
 Concept of Islamic Renaissance
 Jihadis
 Owing to Personality Cult
 Deoband
 Bralviz
 Daudi Bohraz
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Cont…
 On the issue of Science and Religion
 One consider science in confrontation with religion
 Other treat Science Separate from Religion
 Evolutionist
 Divide in Modern World
 Leftist
 Rightists
 Anti Imperilist
 Sufi Practices
 4 Orders
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SECTARIANISM IN PAKISTAN


The growth of sectarianism in Pakistan,
particularly the Shia -Sunni violence, is the single
most important cause and manifestation of extremism

The factors that have fuelled it include: Islamization
drive, Iranian revolution, and Iranian and Gulf countries’
proxy war in Pakistan

It was accentuated by the creation of TNFJ and SSP and
their terrorist outfits with funding and support from local
and foreign patrons

Collusion of SSP/LJ with Taliban and Al-Qaeda
SECTARIAN TERRORISM INCIDENTS
Year
Balochistan
NWFP
Punjab
Sindh
Gilgit / NAs
Total
Cases
Killed
Cases
Killed
Cases
Killed
Cases
Killed
Cases
Killed
Cases
Killed
2001
2
2
24
28
22
59
48
69
-
-
96
158
2002
5
3
-
-
12
51
40
34
-
-
57
88
2003
5
60
1
2
3
18
26
41
-
-
35
121
2004
6
52
1
1
9
85
6
58
-
-
22
196
2005
11
43
5
4
3
12
5
11
48
67
72
137
2006
-
-
3
48
1
1
3
57
2
2
9
108
2007
-
-
18
16
2
6
-
-
-
-
20
22
Total
29
160
52
99
52
232
128
270
50
69
311
830
The Causes & Solution of Sectarianism
 Different views related to Islam.
 It is obligatory for every Muslim, especially educated to
seek truth
 In every ‘Salat’ Muslim pray Allah for guidance to right
path.
 In Surah Fatehah
 “Show us the straight way, the way of those whom you
have blessed; who have not incurred your wrath ,nor
gone astray.”
Contd ….
 One should endeavor for right path according to ones ability,
Allah will open the doors
 “Those who will strive in our cause, We shall guide them to
our paths, and surely Allah is with the righteous.”
Contd…
 Avoid blind following of religious people
 The holy Quran denounces the people of earlier nations
who strictly follow their ancestors
 “When it is said to them, ‘Follow the commands that
Allah has sent down’ they reply, we will follow only what
we found our forefathers practicing. ’Well, will they go
on following their forefathers even though did not use
common sense and did not find the right way?”
Contd …
 Realization of role of selfish religious leaders
 Allah explicitly describes their role for debarring people
from right path
 “Indeed those, who conceal the commands that Allah has
sent down in His Book and barter them away for paltry
gains, fill their bellies with fire…”
Impact of Sectarianism
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Divided Society
Economic Backlash
Political Instability
Sanctity of Worship Places Violated
Psychological Impact
Deteriorated Image of Islam
 RECOMMENDATIONS
 Respect for positive traditions and cultural and religious heritage
 Avoiding any injury to the feelings of others
 The ban on the misuse of loudspeakers
 Production of hate material
 Civil society too must play its part
 Enlightened Ulema who are against sectarianism take an active
role
THANK YOU