By Cyril Anderson

 The Qu’ran teaches quite forcefully against the dangers of sectarian discord.  It is written:  “And fear you Him, and perform the prayer, and be not of the idolators, who have divided up their religion, and become sects, each party rejoicing in what is theirs.”  (Ar-Rum 30:31-32)

 This verse is often misused in polemics to argue exist the mere existence of different sects in a religion.  Usually this line of argument rests on the assumption by the person talking that he is following the “original, pure” form of the religion, and that the others are cursed, or even unbelievers, according to this verse, for “splitting away” from the truth.  However, this is likely a misinterpretation of the real intention and message of this verse.

 You can have people in this world following different schools of thought and different religions, and these people can coexist peaceably and harmoniously.  In my opinion, it is not the simple existence of different schools of thought which is being criticized so vehemently in the Qu’ran in its warning against sectarianism.  The mere existence of different schools of thought within Islam, or even the presence of other religions results from differences of opinion in religious matters, something which is not surprising given the subtlety and complexity of ideas involved in matters of religion, which deal with the deepest, most thorny, most fundamental issues of human existence.  It is virtually inevitable, barring direct divine intervention, that there will be at least some disagreement on such matters.  People have different intellectual capabilities, different formative experiences, different levels of education, and thus reach sometimes differing conclusions regarding the deepest matters of religion.  As human beings, we are given freedom of will and the gift of reason to explore these issues, together with the preserved teachings of various of the world’s prophets and messengers.  However, these teachings reach us in differing states of completion and intactness, and people have differing access to and awareness of differing religious texts.  Therefore people follow many different religions, and a number of different sub groupings within the religions.

The problem does not lie simply in the existence of different schools of thought within religions, including Islam.  Someone can believe that his particular sect is the correct one, or the most correct, and indeed, this is natural, for why would someone follow and set as the basis of his life something he didn't believe was the best way?  As long as one is able to tolerate and get along peaceably with the other groups, there is no practical problem. 

 The problem arrises when the attachment to one's own group becomes a source of hatred and prejudice, a way of building barriers and separating oneself, and those sharing the same group, from others.  This is what it means when the Qu'ran warns against “separating the religion into sects.”

 It is natural that people will disagree; people have different understandings, awareness, levels of spiritual development, and different temperaments.  The key thing is not to let this disagreement be a wedge that drives apart and prevents useful working together for shared goals and interests.

One excellent example is the situation of Sunnis and Shia’s, who have an immense amount in common in terms of their religion.  There are important differences in theology, but still, there is no reason why the two should not be able to work together given the vast array of shared concerns and interests.  Non-Muslims are astounded how two sects, which share so much in a relative sense in terms of major rituals and beliefs can have so much animosity between them.  It is unnecessary and tragic.  If the two groups do not fall into the trap of isolating one another in self-imposed quarantine from one another, then even if they do not agree on every issue of theology or on every historical figure, still, they will not be truly separated from each other.  If they talk to each other, have interaction with each other, and think of each other as brethren, they will not really be separated into sects, but will simply have an intellectual, philosophical/theological disagreement about schools of thought.

 Although we tend to think we are right, and although we might prefer that everyone share the same beliefs, the world and life can still function even if we don't, as long as we are able to tolerably coexist and interrelate in a constructive way together.  This is the way life functions best in a pluralist society, and this is the way things will function best in a pluralist world.