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I agree. The sects in Islam causes unnecessary problems. Honestly, I think it's okay that some have different traditions as long as they are referred to as cultural or of a personal nature. (I'm trying to avoid the innovation argument.) There are core concepts that all Muslims agree on. We should focus on these and realize that we are all Muslim brothers and sisters. 3nodding

I have seen what sects have done to Christianity. It is terrible. They fight among themselves so much. I don't like seeing that in any faith. sad

Yeah, denominations in Christianity always confused me.
So many groups practicing different things =/

I consider myself Muslim, not a type. Just Muslim.

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Yeah, I agree. There really isn't much of a difference between the Muslim or the Christian sects, but all conflict that has ever been between sects was based on political and economic conflict, not religion.

Assalamualaykum, lol interesting posts here, although the topic is common and yet important. Insha'Allah I will try my best to answer not in much details but to the point and from what I know.

First of all obviously sects are not allowed in Islam. Unfortunately we have like 73 sects (correct me if I'm wrong) and the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said the only group that will go to heaven is the group that follows the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (saw). However there are some points to be made about this, although 70+ sounds like a big number, but according to what I know, the majority is still in the Sunnah, Alhamdulillah, the rest of the groups altogether form only a minor percentage of the whole Muslim population so there you go. And according to the scholar Yasir Qadhi, a well renowned Islamic international speaker, the group that is in the Sunnah is called the Sunni, which is also the majority of the Muslim population. However whenever I'm asked I simply say I'm a Muslim, and my knowledge base is the Qur'an and the Sunnah i.e. the Sahih Hadith. As long as a speaker or scholar speaks from the authentic sources, I listen to what they have to say, because Allah (swt) told us, if we do not know, we should go to someone with proper knowledge who knows.

And about the great Imams, Imam Shafi, Imam Hanafi, Imam Malek, all these great Imams said the same thing, take from where they took the Qur'an and the Sunnah, if they contradict what the Holy Books say, leave what they say, and follow Allah and His Messenger Prophet Muhammad (saw). So there is no reason for sects, if you are to be a Muslim, neither did any great scholar or Imam say anything of that sort. It is unfortunate people divide in sects based on what not reasons, which are tainted with innovation. I agree with what sister Seurot hell rider said, about people like in my country Bangladesh, making differences of prayers for men and women. And it's true also I know the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, pray as you have seen me praying. So there's no reason for the basic worship like the Salaah (prayers) to be different.

Anyways sister you seem to foster a lotta angry towards Bangladesh, I don't blame you for being upset, even I was brought up in KSA and had troubles adjusting. I don't know if they really follow the Hanafi school, I'm sure Imam Hanafi taught Islam the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (saw) and not something else. If you ask me, I'd blame the local maulanas or the so called knowledgeable people taken at pedestals by the local ignorant people who don't judge them with the Authentic sources but take whatever is given to them from these people blindly. And these so called religious advisers are not really good Muslims, they only fool people for their own benefit, Auzubillah. But we know the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, whoever lies with something regarding to Islam will go to hell. Anyhow I blame the local so called "religious" advisers in this country and not the great Imams, and the worst part is they want the people to stay ignorant and so never encourage rather discourage people in learning about Islam, Auzubillah. The reason if you ask me is obvious, cuz they will loose their temporary worldly gains if the people are awaken to the Truth. One of the worst innovations I absolutely despise and hate in Bangladesh is this bowing down to the elderly people by the young people especially during the Eid days to get this "salaami" or whatever blessings on other occasions kissing their foot with the hand, Auzubillah, this is Shirk, and people don't get it even if they are warned and insist in this non sense; I hope Insha'Allah this kind of innovation in disguise does not continue in the future in this country or maybe other sub continent countries in the region, because some people does not even know they are committing shirk like this and I always had a problem as a young kid, and my dad Alhamdulillah helped me cuz he stayed away from it himself. Unfortunately there are many ignorant people who are arrogant, and you're right not only they never accept their mistakes, they keep on arguing and criticizing people who are telling the Truth even if they themselves have no proof to talk on (especially the elderly people). However innovations in Islam are not only a problem of Bangladesh, but it exists everywhere in the world in large or small quantities, the reason is due to a lack of proper knowledge on Islam. I myself have been criticized when I asked questions, but Alhamdulillah I was Guided by Allah to learn more about Islam from the proper and Authentic sources from my self initiative. We need more knowledgeable people talking about Islam properly in this country and also in the other countries around the world. It's sad but not only non-Muslims even many Muslims have misconceptions about their own religion Islam.

So yes of course I agree that we need to be united by following and taking from the True common source, from the Authentic teachings of Islam, that is the Qur'an and the Sahih Hadith, only then will we stand as one Ummah as we were meant to be Insha'Allah. This is a plot from the Satan to divide us, so that we spend time bickering and fighting among ourselves instead of focusing on Tawheed and working for Righteousness. So I pray may Allah Guide us, keep us on the Straight Path, and unite us as One Ummah to work for Rigteousness, ameen.

Edited.

So I guess what's the point of me being a Sunni?

Simply to say, I'm a Muslim. But I am still wondering, what's the different between Sunni and Shi'a? Somewhat like "who's the successor"?

If someone could make a topic about the different between Sunni, Shi'a and other sects, I would move it to under a subforum, Lectures or maybe debates. Then we can discuss why we should not have sects, etc. Even though we are just a regular Muslim, not someone who has a PhD, we still want to know about this. If God really hate sects, why we still have it?

Plus we could discuss how to answer to questions regarding Islamic sects. People are curious about this, and they can use this topic to "attack" on us. It is like we are no different than other religions.