Introduction to the history of the division of the Islamic community

Religions prior to Islam, such as Judaism and Christianity, undoubtedly experienced the politico-religious divide. Concerning the direction of the affairs of the communities, one approved or disapproved of this or that leader. As for the religious level, the fundamental disagreements remain the opposition between the followers of traditionalism and those of rationalism, between the followers of anthropomorphism and their opponents, between the followers of free will and those who reject it, between the supporters of a literal reading of the texts and those of an esoteric reading, ect.

These religions prior to Islam have known a limited period in time. For example, Judaism began with Moses the first messiah of Bani Isrâ'îl (as) and ended with Jesus the last messiah of Bani Isrâ'îl (as) and Christianity began with Jesus and ended with Muhammad the messiah of mankind (saas). Thus, legal Judaism [in the eyes of God] would have lasted 1250 years and legal Christianity 620 years. As for Islam, it began with Muhammad and will only end with the end of time. However, the number of schisms occurring in the three communities is substantially the same for disproportionate lengths of existence.

According to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the Jews have divided into 71 schisms, the Christians into 72 schisms and the Muslims will divide into 73 sects.

In conclusion:

Judaism: 71 schisms in 1250 years.

Christianity: 72 schisms in 620 years.

Islam 73 schisms in a duration whose limit will be the end of the world.

In short, of the three religions, Islam is the one that has known the fewest schisms in relation to its duration of existence and Christianity is the one that has known the greatest number of schisms in relation to its duration of existence.

The topics covered in this book are:

• Political dissension
• Religious divisions in the Sunni community
• The religious context at the arrival of Islam
• The rationalist current Ahl al-kalam
• Sufis
• Nicknames given between currents
• Modern day divisions