What Are Different Sects Of Indian Muslims?
Sects of Muslims in India: A Detailed Overview
India is home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the world, with approximately 14-15% of its population identifying as Muslim. The Muslim community in India is not monolithic but is divided into various sects, each with distinct theological, cultural, and historical practices. The major sects include Sunni Muslims (the majority), Shia Muslims (the largest minority), and several smaller, syncretic, or reformist groups. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these sects and their significance in the context of India.
Sunni Muslims: The Largest Sect
Sunni Muslims make up the majority of the Muslim population in India. They represent various theological schools and groups, each with unique practices, but they share a common belief in the four major Sunni schools of Islamic jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali), with the Hanafi school being the most predominant in India. The diversity within Sunni Islam in India can be seen in the distinct movements and ideologies that have shaped their practices.
Barelvi Muslims
One of the most prominent Sunni groups in India is the Barelvi sect, which traces its origins to the teachings of Ahmad Raza Khan in the late 19th century. The Barelvis follow the Hanafi school of jurisprudence and have a strong Sufi influence. A distinguishing feature of Barelvi Islam is its emphasis on Sufism, saint worship, and reverence for Islamic saints. They often celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (Mawlid) with great fervor, and their religious practices include visiting the tombs of saints and engaging in prayers (dhikr) and other devotional acts.
The Barelvi school has a strong presence in North India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Delhi, and is also influential in Pakistan. The Barelvi sect’s inclusive and tolerant approach to Islam makes them a significant part of India’s Muslim community.
Deobandi Muslims
Another influential Sunni group is the Deobandi sect, which emerged from the Darul Uloom Deoband in Uttar Pradesh in 1866. Unlike the Barelvis, the Deobandis reject saint worship, shrine veneration, and other Sufi practices, emphasizing a return to the original teachings of the Quran and Hadith. They promote a more orthodox and conservative interpretation of Islam, focusing on Islamic law (Sharia) and education.
The Deobandi movement has had a significant influence on the spread of Islamic madrasa education across India and is credited with revitalizing the traditional method of Islamic learning. The sect’s network of madrassas in India and abroad, most notably the Darul Uloom in Deoband, plays a major role in shaping the educational and spiritual lives of its followers.
Ahl-e-Hadith
The Ahl-e-Hadith sect is closely associated with the Wahhabi movement of Saudi Arabia, though it emerged independently in India. The Ahl-e-Hadith group adheres to a literal interpretation of the Quran and Hadith, rejecting all forms of innovation (bid’ah) in religious practice. They do not follow any particular school of Islamic jurisprudence and believe in a direct understanding of the sacred texts.
Ahl-e-Hadith Muslims reject practices like saint worship, the veneration of shrines, and the intercession of saints, which are common among the Barelvis. Instead, they emphasize the primacy of the Quran and Hadith as the sole sources of Islamic law. The Ahl-e-Hadith sect has a strong presence in Northern India, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh.
Tablighi Jamaat
The Tablighi Jamaat is not a sect in the traditional sense but a global Islamic revivalist movement that has had a significant impact on the Sunni Muslim community in India. Founded by Maulana Muhammad Ilyas in 1926, the movement aims to promote personal piety and a return to the fundamentals of Islam. The group focuses on dawah (preaching) and encourages Muslims to live according to the Quran and Hadith by engaging in regular prayer, fasting, and community service.
Though the Tablighi Jamaat’s message is largely apolitical, it has had a significant influence on the religious lives of Muslims in India and around the world. Its madrasa-style education and focus on grassroots-level preaching have made it a significant movement within Indian Islam, with a global reach.
Shia Muslims: The Minority Sect
Shia Muslims form the second-largest sect in India, with a minority presence that is especially prominent in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Hyderabad, and Kashmir. Shia Muslims believe in the divinely appointed succession of the Imams from Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin, and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad. The two largest subgroups within Shia Islam in India are the Twelvers (Ithna Ashariyyah) and the Ismailis.
Twelver Shias
The largest group of Shia Muslims in India are the Twelvers, who believe in the 12 Imams as the rightful spiritual and political successors of the Prophet Muhammad. The first Imam is Ali ibn Abi Talib, and the belief in the succession of the twelve Imams is central to Shia faith. Twelver Shias in India follow a distinct religious calendar, with the most significant observance being Ashura, the day of mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at the Battle of Karbala.
In India, Twelver Shias have a strong cultural presence, particularly in Lucknow, Hyderabad, and Kashmir, where the Shia community has contributed significantly to the region’s art, culture, and religious traditions. Majlis (religious gatherings), mourning rituals, and processions are common during the month of Muharram.
Ismaili Shias
The Ismailis are a sub-sect of Shia Islam that split from the Twelvers over the question of the rightful successor to the sixth Imam. The Nizari Ismailis, one of the largest Ismaili groups, follow a living spiritual leader, the Aga Khan, who is regarded as both a religious and temporal leader. The Ismailis in India have a significant presence, especially in Gujarat and Maharashtra, and they are known for their community welfare work, education initiatives, and progressive social values.
Other smaller branches of Ismailis include the Dawoodi Bohras and Alavi Bohras, who follow a hierarchical leadership structure, with the Dai al-Mutlaq as their religious head. These groups have a unique identity, with practices that blend Ismaili theology and Indian culture.
Other Islamic Movements in India
In addition to the major Sunni and Shia sects, India is home to several smaller Islamic movements that have influenced the religious landscape.
Ahmadiyya Muslims
The Ahmadiyya sect, founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in the late 19th century, believes that Ahmad was the promised Messiah and a prophet in his own right, a belief that is controversial among orthodox Muslims. As a result, Ahmadis are regarded as heretical by many mainstream Sunni and Shia Muslims. Despite facing persecution in countries like Pakistan, the Ahmadiyya community has established a significant presence in India, especially in Kolkata and Aligarh.
Mahdavi Sect
The Mahdavi sect believes in the arrival of the Mahdi (the prophesied redeemer of Islam) and regards Syed Muhammad Jaunpuri as the Mahdi. This sect, which originated in India during the medieval period, continues to have followers in regions like Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Conclusion
The Muslim community in India is diverse and complex, with several sects contributing to the rich cultural and religious fabric of the nation. While Sunni Islam remains the majority, the influence of Shia Islam, Sufism, and various reformist movements such as the Ahl-e-Hadith and Tablighi Jamaat has been significant. The sectarian divisions in Islam, however, are not just theological but also deeply intertwined with social, cultural, and political identities. Understanding these sects is essential for appreciating the diverse and pluralistic nature of Indian Islam.
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