If you recite the Noble Quran to please Allah (SWT) alone and to understand its actual theme then you would definitely be trembled from the fear of Allah. And when you will come across some Verses of Surah Al-Qasas, you will notice that it was Pharaoh who for the first time divided humanity into different classes and sects. From these Verses of the Noble Qur’an we infer that dividing the populace and creating classes of masses is a Pharaoh’s method. Allah (SWT) says in the Noble Quran:
“Verily, Fir‘aun (Pharaoh) exalted himself in the land and made its people sects, weakening (oppressing) a group (i.e. Children of Israel) among them.” (28:4)
And also in Surah ar-Rum:
“And be not of Al-Mushrikun (the disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, polytheists, idolaters, etc.) of those who split up their religion (i.e. who left the true Islamic Monotheism), and became sects, [i.e. they invented new things in the religion (Bid’ah), and followed their vain desires], each sect rejoicing in that which is with it.” (30:31, 32)
Even today the European governments work at the policy of “Divide and Rule.”
Nobody denies the fact that it is a characteristic and distinguished quality of guided ones to believe in all Allah’s Messengers and to believe in what has been revealed to them, and to make no distinction among them. Everyone should give due respect to all Allah’s Messengers, rather it is our duty to respect them. If it is a fact of the matter, then why not to give due respect to their heirs — noble Companions of Allah’s Messenger (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him), their followers and the four Imams and other religious leaders and jurists — we ought to respect all of those and should not follow exclusively any one of them and hate others. We should have love and respect for all and should take from all according to the Qur’an and Sunnah. Some sectarian followers value only their own leaders and have no respect for others. This attitude has caused hatred and enmity among them. This matter of fixated following has gone so far that followers of one sect do not pray (offer S’alah) under the leadership of an Imam (leader of the prayer) belonging to another sect. Such following has made them mindless and heartless. Followers of some sects regard their own sect as the foundation and base of their religion and see the Qur’an with their own viewpoint. Wherever they find a verse of the Noble Qur’an contrary to their point of view, they try to interpret them to make them agree with their own belief. As a matter of fact, the Noble Qur’an should be regarded as the foundation of religion and the Madhhab should be attributed to the Qur’an; whatever is in conformity with the Qur’an and Sunnah should be accepted and the rest should be rejected.
A quality of those who earned Allah’s Wrath is that they accept the reality only when it is presented from the side to which they belong, or in other words they accept the truth when it is in their favor and is in harmony with their viewpoint. Whereas a Muslim takes the truth wherever it is available because wisdom is his lost property.
Every follower has a respect for his Imam; therefore, he accepts everything from him without reluctance, and this is deviation from right path. One should observe what is being said and not who is saying it. ‘Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
“The criterion for judging the truth is not the man who is uttering it; but know the truth itself, you will come to know the man and his character.”
The best way to follow is the way of Allah’s Messenger (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him), his Companions and their followers. Sectarian following brings nothing but destruction, and it is an innovation in religion. This deviation was introduced by kings and rulers to attain their political ends and save themselves and their empires.
