I consider myself a good person (who doesn't, right?). I am not much of a practising Muslim, but I try to be good to people, and say an occassional prayer or two. My parents always taught me that if i was a good person and was nice to others, and completed my Faraiz (obligations), that was all that could be expected of me. So that's what I tried to do. There was a point in time, I was sharing a dorm-room with 3 other guys, and 2 of us were of one sect, and the other were from the other major sect in Islam, and I never cared to learn what their version of Islam was. I would never need it, would I?

 

Now here's a question for everyone who reads this. How important do you think it is to know what other sects say and how they are different from what you are following? Frankly speaking, I hardly know any such details!

 

Am I answerable to God for such knowledge, or lack thereof? Even if I decide that 'MY' religion does not require me to know the difference, I have to listen to the world around me. History has been shaped by these differences and they continue to play a crucial role in modern day international politics. With all these jama'ats in Pakistan,  the elections in Iraq, the politics in Iran and so much more going on around us with these differences as the underlying reason, how long can we choose to ignore them?

 

From a discussion that was going on in office today, I picked up the following initial questions. What are the major differences between Firqa Jafaria and Firqa Hanfia (Firqa may be loosely translated as a 'group'... I think)? Where do Ahmedis fit in? Even within each major sect, there are sub-branches. Within Firqa Hanfia, there are four different Fiqahs (translated as 'schools of thought'). Within one of those four Fiqahs, there are 2 further sub-divisions. And there's a whole lot of other things going on that I have no idea about!

 

I know I don't have much readership on my blog, but whoever does read it, please let me know your thoughts (and ask your friends to come and leave comments too if you think it right). I do think it is a serious matter that gets little attention in 'moderate' homes, at least in Pakistan.

 

Note to all: please note I use the title "Sects within Muslims" and not "Sects in Islam". The religion is, of course, one... it is complete and never changes. People who practice the religion, on the other hand, are not even close to being one. We are divided, and thus the sects!