Summery of Major Deviations Today

Deviations in Islam

Islam, as the divinely revealed religion, is centered around As-Sirat al-Mustaqeem (the Straight Path). Any divergence from its core tenets results in misguidance. Throughout history, various sects and ideologies have emerged, introducing distortions in belief (Aqeedah), worship (Ibadah), and practice (Manhaj). This analysis delves into the first major category: Theological Deviations (Aqeedah), examining their causes, manifestations, and scholarly refutations.

A. Theological Deviations (Aqeedah)

Definition

Theological deviations refer to incorrect beliefs about Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), His names and attributes, faith (Iman), and matters of the unseen. These errors have primarily arisen due to:

Influence of foreign philosophies: Islamic theological discourse was impacted by Greek, Persian, and Hindu thought, leading some sects to integrate speculative philosophy (Ilm al-Kalam).
Excessive rationalism: Groups like the Mu'tazilah elevated human reason over divine revelation, rejecting aspects of Islamic creed that conflicted with logic.
Exaggeration in reverence for religious figures: Overstating the status of saints or imams led to deviations such as grave worship, seeking intercession (Tawassul), and attributing divine qualities to humans.

Types of Theological Deviations

Theological deviations can be categorized into the following:

🔹 Innovations in Tawheed (Oneness of Allah): Islamic theology is based on Tawheed, the absolute oneness of Allah. Any deviation from this leads to severe misguidance:

Tashbih & Tajsim – Attributing human-like qualities to Allah.
- This includes likening Allah’s attributes to those of His creation, contradicting the Quranic principle:
  لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ ("There is nothing like unto Him") (Surah Ash-Shura 42:11).
Ta’teel – Denying or misinterpreting Allah’s attributes.
- Groups like the Jahmiyyah rejected Allah’s attributes, claiming that affirming them leads to anthropomorphism.
Grave Worship & Tawassul Innovations – Seeking intercession through saints.
- The Quran explicitly warns against invoking intermediaries:
  إِن تَدْعُوهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُوا دُعَاءَكُمْ
  ("If you call upon them, they do not hear your supplication") (Surah Fatir 35:14).

🔹 Deviations in Understanding the Qur’an & Sunnah: Misinterpretation of Islamic sources has led to sectarian divides:

Rationalism (Mu'tazilah, Philosophers) – Preferring reason over revelation.
- The Mu'tazilah rejected divine attributes, denied the Beatific Vision of Allah (Ru’yatullah), and claimed the Quran was created.
- Imam Ahmad refuted them, enduring severe persecution under the Mihnah (Inquisition).
Mysticism (Batiniyya, Sufism) – Claiming hidden meanings in texts.
- The Batiniyya sects (such as the Isma'ilis) asserted that Islamic texts had esoteric meanings, accessible only to their elite.
- Imam Shafi’i criticized them, stating: "If someone claims hidden meanings that contradict clear texts, he is misguided." (Manaqib al-Shafi’i)

🔹 Innovations in the Concept of Iman (Faith): Faith in Islam includes belief (I'tiqad), speech (Qawl), and actions (Amal). However, deviations arose:

Murji’ah – Believing actions do not affect faith.
- The Murji’ah taught that sins do not impact faith, opposing the Sunni stance that faith increases and decreases.
Khawarij & Takfirism – Declaring sinners as disbelievers (Kufr).
- The Khawarij claimed that major sins expel a person from Islam, contradicting the Prophet’s hadith:
  "A believer does not cease to be a believer while committing a sin." (Sahih Bukhari 34)

Scholarly Stances and Refutations

The Four Imams and later scholars addressed these deviations with clarity:

🌿 Stance of the Four Imams

ImamRefutation of DeviantsKey Quote

Abu Hanifah (d. 150H)Opposed Ta’teel and Mu’tazilah."Allah’s attributes must be affirmed without likening Him to creation." (Al-Fiqh al-Akbar)

Malik (d. 179H)Rejected speculative theology."Istiwa is known, its 'how' is unknown, belief in it is obligatory." (Al-Istidhkar)

Shafi’i (d. 204H)Opposed Batiniyya and Murji’ah."Iman consists of belief, words, and actions." (Manaqib al-Shafi’i)

Ahmad (d. 241H)Fought Mu’tazilah who denied Allah’s Speech."The Qur’an is the uncreated Speech of Allah." (Tabaqat al-Hanabilah)

🌿 Refutations by Later Scholars

Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728H)
- "Denying what Allah affirmed for Himself is a form of disbelief." (Majmu’ al-Fatawa)
- He refuted Ta’teel, declaring that rejecting divine attributes leads to a distorted understanding of Islam.
Ibn al-Qayyim (d. 751H)
- "Seeking intercession through the dead is Shirk." (Ighathat al-Lahfan)
- He criticized excessive saint veneration, linking it to idol worship.
Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab (d. 1206H)
- "Grave worship is the root of deviation." (Kitab at-Tawheed)
- He revived the pure understanding of Tawheed, opposing innovations.
Ibn Baz & Ibn Uthaymeen (20th century)
- Warned against modernist reinterpretations, stating: "Islam must be understood as it was revealed, without distortion."
Shaykh Fawzan & Lajnah ad-Da’imah
- Continued refuting Sufi mysticism and rationalist misguidance, cautioning against Westernized reinterpretations of Islam.

Conclusion

Islamic theology is preserved through the unwavering commitment of scholars who refuted theological deviations across history. From the early Imams to contemporary scholars, the consensus remains clear: Tawheed is the foundation of Islam, and any deviation from it leads to misguidance.

Misinterpretations such as excessive rationalism, mysticism, and innovations in faith have been confronted using Quranic and Prophetic evidence, safeguarding the purity of Islam. As the Prophet ﷺ said: "This Ummah will split into seventy-three sects, all of them in the Fire except one."
When asked who that group is, he responded: "Those who follow what I and my companions are upon today." (Sunan Abu Dawood 4597). Thus, staying on As-Sirat al-Mustaqeem requires adherence to authentic Islamic teachings, as practiced by the righteous predecessors (Salaf as-Salih).

B. Political Deviations in Islam

Islamic political thought is deeply rooted in the principles of governance, justice, and obedience to leadership as outlined in the Qur’an and Sunnah. However, throughout history, various political deviations have emerged, distorting Islamic rulings on governance (Imamah), leadership (Khilafah), and rebellion (Khuruj). These deviations have led to sectarianism, instability, and ideological extremism.

This section examines major political deviations, their causes, and the refutations provided by classical and contemporary scholars.

Definition

Political deviations refer to the distortion of Islamic governance principles due to:

Unjust rebellion against rulers (Khuruj) without valid Shari’ah-based justification.
Extremist interpretations of leadership, such as the Khawarij and Shi’ah Imamate doctrines.
Secularizing Islam, by completely separating religion from governance.

The Prophet ﷺ warned against such deviations, saying: "Whoever separates from the Jama’ah (Muslim community) even by a handspan, dies the death of Jahiliyyah."
(Sahih Muslim 1848)

Scholars have consistently upheld the principle that Islamic leadership, even if flawed, is better than rebellion, which causes greater harm.

Types of Political Deviations

🔹 Khawarij & Revolts

One of the earliest political deviations in Islam was the emergence of the Khawarij, an extremist sect that declared major sinners as disbelievers (Takfir), leading to unjustified rebellion against rulers.

1. Declaring Major Sinners as Disbelievers (Takfir)

The Khawarij claimed that committing a major sin (Kabeerah) expels a person from Islam.
This contradicts the Quranic principle:
"Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills."
(Surah An-Nisa 4:48)
The Prophet ﷺ warned against them, saying:
"They recite the Qur’an, but it does not go beyond their throats. They will leave the religion just as an arrow passes through a target."
(Sahih Bukhari 5057, Sahih Muslim 1066)

2. Unjustified Rebellion Against Rulers (Khuruj)

Islam prohibits rebelling against rulers unless there is clear disbelief (Kufr Bawah).
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"After me, you will see rulers you dislike. Be patient until you meet me at the Hawd (fountain)."
(Sahih Bukhari 7057, Sahih Muslim 1843)
Ibn Taymiyyah condemned the Khawarij, stating:
"The Khawarij are worse for the Ummah than any enemy, because they fight Muslims while leaving idolaters alone."
(Minhaj as-Sunnah)

Examples of historical revolts include:

The rebellion of Ibn al-Ash’ath (80H) against the Umayyads.
The Khawarij uprisings against Ali (رضي الله عنه).

Scholarly refutation:

Imam Ahmad stated:
"Patience with a tyrant is better than bloodshed."
(Tabaqat al-Hanabilah)

🔹 Shi’ism & Political Theology

The Shi’ah Imamate doctrine introduced political deviations by restricting leadership to Ahlul Bayt and allowing deception (Taqiyyah) for political gain.

1. The Imamate Doctrine

The Shi’ah believe leadership must stay in Ahlul Bayt and reject rulers not from their lineage.
Imam Shafi’i refuted this idea, saying:
"Leadership is not a right by lineage."
(Kitab al-Umm)
Islamic leadership is based on ability and piety, not bloodline.
- The Prophet ﷺ appointed non-Qurayshi governors and never stated that only Ahlul Bayt can rule.
- Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) was appointed Khalifah despite not being from Ahlul Bayt.

2. Taqiyyah – Hiding True Beliefs for Political Advantage

Shi’ah groups like the Twelvers use Taqiyyah (concealing beliefs) to gain political dominance.
However, Islam commands honesty:
"And do not mix truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know [it]."
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:42)

Scholarly refutation:

Imam Malik warned:
"Deception in religion is hypocrisy."
(Sharh al-Aqidah at-Tahawiyyah)

🔹 Sufism & Political Messianism

Some Sufi orders introduced political mysticism (Mahdism), believing in secret spiritual leaders (Awliya’ hidden rulers).

1. Belief in Secret Leaders (Mahdism)

Certain groups claim a hidden Mahdi exists who controls global affairs.
However, the Mahdi will be a real, known leader, as described by the Prophet ﷺ:
"The Mahdi will be from my family, his name will be like mine, and he will fill the earth with justice."
(Sunan Abu Dawood 4282)

2. Using Mysticism for Political Power

Some Sufi orders manipulate followers, claiming divine inspiration (Ilham) grants them authority.
Islamic leadership is based on Shari’ah, not mystical visions.

Scholarly refutation:

Ibn al-Qayyim stated:
"The greatest evil is rebellion without legitimate cause."
(Madarij al-Salikeen)

Stance of the Four Imams

The four great Imams firmly opposed political deviations and stressed patience with rulers.

Imam Refutation of Deviants Key Quote

Abu Hanifah (d. 150H)Opposed rebellion and extreme political ideologies."We do not rebel against rulers, even if unjust." (Al-Fiqh al-Akbar)

Malik (d. 179H)Warned against revolts causing chaos. "Rebellion leads to greater harm than patience." (Sharh al-Aqidah at-Tahawiyyah)

Shafi’i (d. 204H)Rejected the Shi’ah claim that Imamah is inherited. "Leadership is not a right by lineage." (Kitab al-Umm)

Ahmad (d. 241H)Advocated patience with oppressive rulers."Patience with a tyrant is better than bloodshed." (Tabaqat al-Hanabilah)

Refutation by Later Scholars

Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728H)
- "The Khawarij are worse for the Ummah than any enemy."
  (Minhaj as-Sunnah)
Ibn al-Qayyim (d. 751H)
- "The greatest evil is rebellion without legitimate cause."
  (Madarij al-Salikeen)
Ibn Uthaymeen (d. 2001)
- "Jihad requires conditions. Declaring jihad against rulers is misguidance."
  (Sharh al-Aqidah al-Wasitiyyah)

Conclusion

Political deviations in Islam have caused divisions, bloodshed, and ideological extremism. Whether through Khawarij extremism, Shi’ah political theology, or Sufi mysticism, such deviations have distorted the true principles of Islamic governance.

True Islamic leadership is based on:

✅ Shari’ah, not personal ambition.
✅ Obedience to rulers, unless they commit open disbelief.
✅ Avoiding rebellion, as it leads to greater harm.

The Prophet ﷺ warned:
"Whoever fights under a blind banner, supporting a group out of tribalism, has died a death of Jahiliyyah."
(Sahih Muslim 1848)

C. Ideological Deviations in Islam

Islam provides a comprehensive worldview that encompasses all aspects of life, including theology, morality, politics, and social conduct. However, throughout history, various foreign ideologies have influenced Islamic thought, leading to ideological deviations that distort fundamental Islamic beliefs. These deviations arise when external philosophies, secular frameworks, and Western intellectual trends attempt to reinterpret Islamic principles based on non-Islamic worldviews.

This section examines major ideological deviations, their causes, and the refutations provided by classical and contemporary scholars.

Definition

Ideological deviations occur when foreign ideas and philosophies influence Islamic thought, leading to:

Secularism & Modernism – Separating Islam from daily life and governance.
Liberalism & Feminism – Reinterpreting Islamic rulings to align with Western ideals.
Atheism & Skepticism – Denying Allah’s existence, revelation, or divine legislation.

These deviations undermine Tawheed (Islamic monotheism) and Shari’ah, distorting faith, worship, and societal values.

The Prophet ﷺ warned against ideological corruption, saying: "You will surely follow the ways of those who came before you, handspan by handspan, cubit by cubit, even if they enter the hole of a lizard, you will follow them." (Sahih Bukhari 7320, Sahih Muslim 2669)

Types of Ideological Deviations

🔹 Secularism & Modernism

Secularism (‘Ilmaniyyah) promotes the separation of religion from governance and daily life. It claims that Islam should be restricted to personal worship, excluding it from politics, economics, and law.

1. Secularizing Islam (Denying Shari’ah in Governance)

Secularists argue that Shari’ah is outdated and should be replaced with man-made laws.
However, Islam rejects man-made legal systems that contradict divine law:
"And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, then it is they who are the disbelievers."
(Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:44)
Ibn Taymiyyah condemned secularism, stating:
"The one who believes that other laws are superior to Shari’ah has committed disbelief."
(Majmu’ al-Fatawa)

2. The Modernist Movement (Reinterpreting Islam to Fit Western Thought)

Some modernists reinterpret Islamic texts to conform to Western philosophies, undermining core beliefs.
They argue that Islam should evolve with human reasoning and societal changes, rejecting traditional scholarship.
However, Islam is complete and timeless:
"This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as your religion."
(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:3)
Ibn al-Qayyim refuted modernist trends, saying:
"Whoever claims that Islam is outdated denies Allah’s wisdom."
(I’lam al-Muwaqqi’in)

🔹 Liberalism & Feminism

Liberalism and feminism seek to reinterpret Islamic rulings using Western values, distorting gender roles, family structures, and morality.

1. Liberalism – Challenging Islamic Laws

Liberals demand changes in Islamic laws on inheritance, gender roles, and punishments, claiming they are unjust.
However, Islamic laws are based on divine justice:
"It is not for a believing man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should have any choice in their affair."
(Surah Al-Ahzab 33:36)
Ibn Abdul Wahhab refuted liberal reinterpretations, stating:
"Whoever alters Allah’s laws to please people has left Islam."
(Kitab at-Tawheed)

2. Feminism – Rejecting Islamic Gender Roles

Feminism claims that Islam oppresses women and that Western feminist principles should be adopted.
However, Islam grants women rights while preserving their natural roles:
"Men are protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made some excel others."
(Surah An-Nisa 4:34)
Ibn Baz refuted feminist reinterpretations, stating:
"Allah created men and women with distinct roles. Denying this is denying divine wisdom."
(Majmu’ al-Fatawa)

🔹 Atheism & Skepticism

Atheism (Ilhad) and skepticism (Shakk) deny Allah’s existence, revelation, and divine legislation.

1. Atheism – Denying the Existence of Allah

Atheists reject the concept of a Creator, arguing that science explains existence without God.
However, the Qur’an refutes this claim:
"Were they created by nothing, or were they themselves the creators?"
(Surah At-Tur 52:35)
Ibn Taymiyyah refuted atheism, stating:
"The existence of Allah is more evident than the existence of the sun."
(Dar’ Ta’arud al-Aql wa’l-Naql)

2. Skepticism – Doubting Revelation and Islamic Teachings

Skeptics question the authenticity of the Qur’an, Hadith, and Prophethood.
However, the Qur’an proves its own divine origin:
"If you are in doubt about what We have revealed to Our servant, then produce a chapter like it."
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:23)
Ibn Uthaymeen refuted skepticism, saying:
"Doubt in revelation leads to disbelief. The Qur’an is the final, preserved guidance."
(Sharh al-Aqidah al-Wasitiyyah)

Stance of Scholars on Ideological Deviations

Classical and contemporary scholars have strongly refuted ideological deviations, emphasizing adherence to traditional Islamic beliefs.

Scholar Refutation Key Quote

Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728H)Exposed Greek philosophy corrupting Islamic theology."The rationalists who reject revelation corrupt Islam with foreign ideas." (Dar’ Ta’arud al-Aql wa’l-Naql)

Ibn al-Qayyim (d. 751H)Rejected modernist claims that Islamic laws are outdated. "Islamic rulings are timeless, and human opinions cannot override divine law." (I’lam al-Muwaqqi’in)

Ibn Abdul Wahhab (d. 1206H)Rejected Westernized reinterpretations of Islam. "Whoever follows non-Islamic ideologies will be gathered with them on Judgment Day." (Kitab at-Tawheed)

Ibn Baz (d. 1999H)Warned against secularism and feminism. "The enemies of Islam use ideologies to weaken Muslim faith." (Majmu’ al-Fatawa)

Ibn Uthaymeen (d. 2001H)Warned against skepticism in revelation."The Qur’an is preserved, and doubting it is disbelief." (Sharh al-Aqidah al-Wasitiyyah)

Conclusion

Ideological deviations have corrupted Islamic beliefs by introducing foreign philosophies into Aqeedah, Shari’ah, and morality.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Islam is a complete way of life; separating it from governance is deviation.
✅ Islamic rulings are divine and timeless; they do not need modification.
✅ Foreign ideologies distort Islam and weaken Muslim faith.

The Prophet ﷺ warned:
"Whoever imitates a people is one of them." (Sunan Abu Dawood 4031)

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