SECOND REMINDER. Monday. WHY ARE WE SPLITTING INTO SECTS continues? Bismillah. Ibn Kathir comments on the verses in the first Reminder, saying: The followers of other religions before us differed in their opinions and false sects. Each faction among them imagined they were onto something. This nation will also differ due to false ascriptions and each sect is misguided except for one. They are the people of the prophetic tradition and united community (Ahlu Sunnah wal Jama’ah), those who hold fast to the book of Allah and the tradition of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and what was left by the first generation of companions, their followers, and the leaders of the Muslims in the early and latter times. Source: Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr 30:31. The Prophet informed us that the Muslims would split into even more sects than previous nations. Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: تَفَرَّقَتْ الْيَهُودُ عَلَى إِحْدَى وَسَبْعِينَ أَوْ اثْنَتَيْنِ وَسَبْعِينَ فِرْقَةً وَالنَّصَارَى مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ وَتَفْتَرِقُ أُمَّتِي عَلَى ثَلَاثٍ وَسَبْعِينَ فِرْقَةً The Jews were split into seventy one or seventy two sects, and the Christians were split as well. My nation will split into seventy three sects. Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2640. It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, who are the ones in Paradise?” The Prophet said: الْجَمَاعَةُ They are the united community. Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 3992, Grade: Sahih. And in another narration, the Prophet said: مَا أَنَا عَلَيْهِ وَأَصْحَابِي They are those who follow my way and my companions. Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2641. The “united community” (al-jama’ah) are those who follow the prophetic traditions (hadith) as well as understanding the principles of law (fiqh) and the other relevant Islamic sciences. To be continued in shaa Allah. May Allah keep guiding us all and protect us from any division in following the Qur'an and Sunnah. Aameen.