THE MOST WELL-KNOWN GHULAT SECTS

[Taqavi]

What are the most well-known Ghulat sects in Islam?

 

According to Shia scholars, Ghulat sects are excluded from Islam due to their claims of divinity for certain individuals or their assertions of prophecy for those who are not recognized as prophets. As a result, these groups cannot be considered Muslims, even if they identify themselves as Muslims or as Shia.

The Ghulat sects that identify as Muslims or even Shia are numerous; for brevity, some will be briefly mentioned with explanations.

The Rawandiyya (Abbassiyya) sect

The Rawandiyya (Abbassiyya) sect was led by Abdullah Rawandi. Initially, he believed in the divinity of Mansur Dawaniqi, the Abbasid Caliph, and the prophethood of Abu Muslim Khorasani. However, after Mansur ordered the murder of Abu Muslim in 141 AH, the sect rebelled against Mansur. In response, Mansur charged them with heresy and had them burned.

From the Rawandiyya sect, several offshoots emerged, including:

- Abu Muslimiya, which believed in the imamate of Abu Muslim Khorasani;

- Abu Hurrairyya, led by a man named Abu Hurraira;

- Razzamiyya, followers of a figure named Razzam who believed in the incarnation of God in Abu Muslim; and

- Hashemiyya, supporters of Abu Hashim Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Hanafiya.[1]

The Khurramiyya sect

The Khurramiyya were followers of Babak Khurramdin and were considered supporters of Abu Muslim Khorasani. Babak Khurramdin led a rebellion against the Abbasid Caliph in the year 201 AH. He was captured by the Iranian commander Afshin during the reign of Caliph Mu'tasim in 223 AH, and ultimately, he was executed after some time. [2]

The Junahiyya sect

The Junahiyya sect consisted of followers of Abdullah ibn Mu'awiya, whom they regarded as both God and a prophet. They believed that knowledge developed in his heart like a plant and that the spirit of God had been transferred to him. Additionally, they rejected the concept of resurrection, deemed the world indestructible, and considered what is typically forbidden to be permissible. [3]

The Sabaiyya sect

The Sabaiyya is a sect attributed to the Imamiyyah, led by Abdullah ibn Saba, which emerged in the early years of the Caliphate of Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS) and is considered a group of Ghalian.  When Ali (AS) was martyred, the Sabaiyya said that he was not killed, but had gone into occultation and would return to fill the world with justice.[4] 

The Ahl al-Bayt (AS) cursed him. In a narration, Imam Sajjad (AS) says: "The mention of Abdullah ibn Saba was made to me, and all the hairs of my body stood on end. He claimed a great matter – may God curse him! By God! Imam Ali (AS) was a righteous servant of God and the brother of the Messenger of God (SAW), and he did not reach honor except because of his obedience to God and His Messenger." [5]

The Karbiyya sect

The Karbiyya are described as the followers of "Ibn Karb." He believed that Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya, nicknamed the Mahdi, was given this title by his father, Imam Ali (a.s.), that he did not die and would not die, and that his death was impossible, but that he is currently absent, and his location is unknown. He will appear and will be the owner of the earth, and there will be no Imam until his return. [6]

The Bazighiyya sect

Followers of Bazigh ibn Musa believe that Ja'far ibn Muhammad, also known as Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq, is God. They hold that he is not merely the physical person people perceive but has taken this form to appear among humanity. The followers believe that whatever occurs in their hearts is a form of revelation, and if a person has faith, they will receive such revelations. [7]

The Nusiriyya (Alawiyya) sect

T The Nusiriyya was a group that initially believed in the Imamate of Imam Ali ibn Muhammad al-Hadi during his lifetime. However, they later deviated from this belief by claiming the prophethood of a man named Muhammad ibn Nusir al-Namiri. Muhammad ibn Nasir asserted that Imam Hadi (a.s.) had appointed him as a prophet. He also believed in the transmigration of souls related to Imam Hadi, claimed the Lordship of Imam Hadi, and permitted marriage between close relatives, among other beliefs. [8]

Other sects such as:

Kaysaniyya, the Kaysaniyya sect refers to the followers of Mukhtar ibn Abi Ubayda Thaqafi. [9]  Khattabiyya, this sect is attributed to a person named Muhammad ibn Muqlas Asadi Kufi Ajda', a well-known as Abu al-Khattab; Ayatollah Khu'i (may God have mercy on him) referred to him as "لعنه الله" and "غال".[10]  Umiriyya, which is attributed to a person named Aumayr ibn Bayan Ajli. [11]  Secret Companions (Serriyya), Serri was one of the leaders of the Ghalat during the time of Imam Sadiq (AS), who was cursed by the Imam. [12]  Bashariyya (Shu'ayriyya), this sect is attributed to Bashshar Shu'ayri, who lived during the time of Imam Sadiq and Imam Kazim (AS) and passed away in 180 AH. [13]

The sects that have deviated from Islam due to Ghulu are numerous. Those interested in learning about them should refer to the books written on this subject.[14]

 

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[1] . Ghāliān: Kāveshi dar jaryānhā va barāyandhā tā pāyān-e sadeh-ye sevom (Ghalian: An Investigation into the Currents and Results Until the End of the Third Century): Safari Furoshani, Nematullah, p. 37.

[2] . Ibid.: p. 38.

[3] . Maqālāt al-Islāmiyyīn wa Ikhtilāf al-Musallīn (Articles on the Muslims and the Differences of the Muslims): Al-Ash'ari, Abu al-Hasan, vol. 1, p. 6.

[4] . Firaq al-Shī’a (Shiite sects): Nobakhti, Hassan bin Musa, p. 22 / Many stories have been made about Abdullah bin Saba: Tarikh al-Tabari: al-Tabari, Ibn Jarir, vol. 3, p. 378.

[5] . Ikhtiyār Ma’rifat al-Rijāl (Rijāl al-Kashshī):Al-Shaykh Al-Tusi, Volume: 1, Page: 324.

[6] . Firaq al-Shī’a (Shiite sects): Nobakhti, Hassan bin Musa, p. 27.

[7] . Maqālāt al-Islāmiyyīn wa Ikhtilāf al-Musallīn (Articles on the Muslims and the Differences of the Muslims): Al-Ash'ari, Abu al-Hasan, vol. 1, p. 12.

[8] . Al-Ghaybah: Al-Shaykh Al-Tusi, Vol: 1, P. 398. / Firaq al-Shī’a (Shiite sects): Nobakhti, Hassan bin Musa, p. 93 / Syrian Alawites from Formation to Empowerment: Dr. Masoud Akhavan Kazemi; Sara Weisi, Shia Studies Quarterly, Pages 147 to 186, Year 10, Issue 38, Summer 1391.

[9] . Firaq al-Shī’a (Shiite sects): Nobakhti, Hassan bin Musa, p. 23.

[10] . Mu’jam Rijal al-Hadith: vol. 15, p. 271.

[11] . Dā’irat al-Ma’ārif-e Bozorg-e Islāmī (The Great Islamic Encyclopedia): vol. 11, p. 314.

[12] . Firaq al-Shī’a (Shiite sects): Nobakhti, Hassan bin Musa, p. 43.

[13] . Ghāliān: Kāveshi dar jaryānhā va barāyandhā tā pāyān-e sadeh-ye sevom (Ghalian: An Investigation into the Currents and Results Until the End of the Third Century): Safari Furoshani, Nematullah, p. 111.

[14] . Books such as Firaq al-Shī’a (Shiite sects): Nobakhti, Hassan bin Musa. / Maqālāt al-Islāmiyyīn wa Ikhtilāf al-Musallīn (Articles on the Muslims and the Differences of the Muslims): Al-Ash'ari, Abu al-Hasan. /  Ghāliān: Kāveshi dar jaryānhā va barāyandhā tā pāyān-e sadeh-ye sevom (Ghalian: An Investigation into the Currents and Results Until the End of the Third Century): Safari Furoshani, Nematullah.