3. Some think that every person called a
Muslim has the same view of every
other Muslim, so if they find a certain
practice in one Muslim country, this
means all Muslims hold the same view
or the practice must automatically be a
part of Islam and/or The Quran.
4. Saying the above is like saying all 1.7 billion Christians in the world
have the same view on everything. Of course, we can all see the
absurdity of this way of thinking. Islam, like any other faith with a
large number of followers, has differing views amongst its followers.
The most obvious case of this is that no two countries ruled by Muslims
have the same system of law. Within Islam there are different sects who
have different beliefs, some of them are minor differences, some of
them major. The two main groups of Muslims (in terms of numbers
worldwide) are Sunni and Shi'a. Sunni Muslims are the majority
group, accounting for perhaps 80 to 85 percent of Muslims worldwide;
Shi'as are the minority (however Shi'as form a majority in some
countries, e.g. Iraq and Iran). There are also other sects, such as:
Wahhabi, Suffi, Ahmadiyya, others etc (see link below). However, even
in each sect, views can differ, so not everyone has the same view on
everything.
5. All Muslims however accept The
Quran (sometimes called Koran) as the
final divine revelation to humanity. It
should be noted that within The Quran
itself, dividing one's faith into sects is
strongly condemned and emphasis is
placed on unity and what we have in
common rather than division:
6. The people used to be one nation (but then
differed), so God sent the prophets as bearers of
good news and warners, and He sent down with
them the Scripture with the facts so that they may
judge between the people in what they were
disputing. But after receiving the clarity, the
people disputed in it due to animosity between
them. And God guided those who believed with
His permission regarding what they disputed in of
the truth. And God guides whoever He wishes to a
straight path. [2:213]
7. ...and do not be of those who set up partners, or like
those who split-up their system, and they became
sects, each group happy in what they have. [30:31-32]
Say, “O People of the Book! (people of previous
revelations) Let us come to a mutual agreement, that
we shall serve and obey none but God. That neither
shall we ascribe divinity to anyone beside Him, nor
shall we take human beings from among ourselves as
our lords beside God.” And if they turn away, then
say, “Bear witness that it is we who have surrendered
ourselves unto Him.” [3:64]
8. Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Nazarene, but
he was a monotheist who submitted; he was not
of those who set up partners. [3:67]
And do not argue with the people of the
Scripture except in the best manner; except for
those who are wicked amongst them, and say:
“We believe in what was revealed to us and in
what was revealed to you, and our god and
your god is the same; to Him we submit.”
[29:46]
9. O mankind, We created you from a male and female, and
We made you into nations and tribes, that you may know
one another. Surely, the most honorable among you in the
sight of God is the most righteous. God is
Knowledgeable, Expert. [49:13]
Nor does he order you that you take the angels and the
prophets as patrons. Would he order you to rejection after
you have submitted to God? [3:80]
They took their Priests and Monks to be patrons besides
God, and the Messiah son of Mary, while they were only
commanded to serve One god, there is no god but He, be
He glorified for what they set up. [9:31]
10. “And this is your nation, one nation, and I am your Lord so
be aware.” But they tore themselves into disputing
factions, every group happy with what they possess. [23:52-
53]
In matters of the faith, He has ordained for you that which
He had enjoined upon Noah - and into which We gave thee
[O Muhammad] through revelation as well as that which We
had enjoined upon Abraham, and Moses, and Jesus:
Steadfastly uphold the faith, and do not break up your unity
therein. Intolerable for those who have set up partners is
what you invite them towards. God chooses for Himself
whomever He wills; He guides to Himself those who repent.
11. A good example of differences
in view, is when a "fatwa"
(religious opinion concerning
Islamic law) is issued by an
institution or scholar, it is not
actually binding on anyone.
