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Need Guidance about Groups in Islam

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Need Guidance about Groups in Islam
Rina
11/11/04 at 10:02:37
Hello & thank you to those who responded so kindly to my "nervous introduction" in the bepsi stand.

One of the questions in my mind has to do with the divisions of different groups within Islam.  Please remember as you read this that my intention is understanding.  If I inadvertently phrase something in a way that rubs wrong, please let me know so that I can know better.  The book I read explained about the conflict over the Prophet's successor(s) leading to the division between Sunni and Shi'a muslims and that there were in the subsequent years, differences in the ways the two groups interpret scripture.  I assume that there are other subsets in Islam but don't know for sure.  So... can someone explain Islam's family tree?  Are there other groups?  Do they stem from Sunni or Shi'a branches or were there more original fragments?  Do these groupings tend to be regional phenomena with the primary path followed in a certain geographical region?

And - last but not in any way least, are there things I should be aware of as I talk to people, learn and particularly have a eye to bringing a couple guests to class to talk to our young people?  Do certain groups not mix well?  I want everyone to feel as comfortable as possible, yet still have a range of experience and knowledge for our kids to draw upon.

Thank you so much for your understanding
Rina
Re: Need Guidance about Groups in Islam
jannah
11/11/04 at 10:57:34
Hi Rina,

That is the main political division amoung Muslims which has led to theological differences over time.

Even so, all sunnis and shiahs have all the main belief systems of islam including the 5 pillars of islam and the 6 pillars of faith etc.

There are other sects such as the "Ismailis", the "Qadianis", the "Lost and Found Nation of Islam". They are not considered to be following or part of mainstream Islam.

As for groups.. there are literally thousands of groups...each has its idealogy of how to improve muslims, how to make changes in the world, how to educate people etc.. some groups focus on education more, others focus on how to bring back islamic law and so on.

So if you invite someone from your local mosque you should be fine. Almost all Muslims fall into the range of mainstream Muslims even if they have certain idealogies or opinions on issues.
Re: Need Guidance about Groups in Islam
muslimah853
11/12/04 at 10:15:38
I assume that there are other subsets in Islam but don't know for sure.  So... can someone explain Islam's family tree?  Are there other groups?  Do they stem from Sunni or Shi'a branches or were there more original fragments?  Do these groupings tend to be regional phenomena with the primary path followed in a certain geographical region?

There are many, way too many to lay out for you here.  Sunni/Shi'a is the original fragmentation if you will, and generally other groups branched out from there.  Many 'groups' if you will are not really separate groups at all, but simply Muslims with a methodology or emphasis that may differ a little from other Muslims.  Many of them are regional/historical phenomena, or at least started out that way.  Many of the groups originated from Islam in a sense, but have developed in such a way   that they are now their own religions.  People in the US are generally familiar with the Nation of Islam under Louis Farrakhan, and this group is both very specific to the US (even though now they do have some followers in other places) and also has theology which definitively sets it apart as its own religion completely outside of Islam--even though some of the terminology and other surface things are similar.  There are other groups in other places.

I hope this helps a little, but really you are asking for alot  :)  It's a difficult subject to address on a message board because of the scope.


Re: Need Guidance about Groups in Islam
Rina
11/15/04 at 09:28:40
Thank you both so much for your replies.  It helps a great deal to have a place to come to ask questions.

I am going to assume from your answers that although there are differences, I do NOT need to be careful about stepping on toes with regard to whether they are Sunni or Shi'a.  Hopefully it is fair to assume that anyone who is broad minded enough to be willing to share about their faith with our youths will be broadminded enough to share the spotlight as well.  

And, I will explain to the kids that there was that significant break between the two groups over the issue of succession but that most of the groups are segments of those two.

Please let me know if either of these assumptions is erroneous.

I'll post my next question as another topic.

Rina

Re: Need Guidance about Groups in Islam
Caraj
11/15/04 at 13:05:06
Rina, maybe a good explaination would be to remind them even Christians have
seperate groups. One basic belief and different doctrines (I guess one would say)
Sad part is I have heard Baptist not consider Catholic as Christians.
Apolstolics, Baptist, Methodist, Prespatarians(sp), Episcapalians,(sp)Catholics,
Mormons, Foursquare, Jahovah witness, Seven Day Adventist. All have ONE GOD yet have many different ideas with the  other issues.

Then to boot they all even break up into their own little groups.
(ie: Baptist have independant, southern and a couple more assoc)
ie:Methodist I believe also have a couple or three different groups
12/04/04 at 05:35:36
Caraj
Re: Need Guidance about Groups in Islam
timbuktu
11/15/04 at 13:56:29
[slm] the break between groups?

The differences started with misunderstandings about the way the provinces were governed at the time of Uthman (ra) the third Caliph.

These later developed into claims of succession and theological differences over Caliphate or Imamate, and about the innocence of the Shia Imams.

However, as jannah has pointed out, the differences aren't too big, particularly since the Shia Imam is no more here, and the Caliphate was abolished. Many scholars have recognised that this division is not tenable any more.

At the time of Ahmed Shah Abdali/ Nadir Shah, there was an attempt to bring the Shia fiqh as a sixth recognised school of thought together with the already recognised five schools of thought of the four Sunni Imams and the sunni Salafi school.

More recently, the late Imam Khomenei also abandoned some concepts in shia practice, to bring the shia in line with sunni thought.
Re: Need Guidance about Groups in Islam
bhaloo
12/01/04 at 22:26:07
[slm]

Originally  the differences were political as Jannah and Timbuktu pointed out, but through the years the differences have became much more extreme.  I've collected a lot of information, through discussions and have them saved, but this board is not a place to be discussing various groups.  


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