Sects in Islam Vs Sects in Jews

A number of lists are seen in the literature [60-62] giving the names of the sects. Two I used to produce the following list are those of Islamic encyclopedia published by Munshi Mehboob 'Alim [60] and that of abu-Mansur al-Baghdadi [61]. Abu-Mansur al-Baghdadi's list was produced around 10th century AD and he has included an number of political movement as separate sects. Such movements differed from each other on the question of leadership and had no theological differences and thus I believe that can not be considered as independent sect, so in my list I have not included such political movements as independent sects. On the other hand Munshi Mehboob 'Alim has included in his list, sects which rejects some of the fundamental beliefs of Islam while abu-Mansur al-Baghdadi does not consider them to be a part of Islam. For example Ghullat and all its subsects believe in the divinity of Ali, Zanadiqiyahs and some other sects do not believe in the Day of Judgement etc. While preparing the following list I agree with Baghdadi and do not include such sects. Finally, Munshi Mehboob 'Alim has listed two sects 'Aliviyah and Ajariyah distinguishing between them on the basis that one believes in the prophethood of Ali while the other one believes that Ali was a partner in prophethood. I consider these two to be one sect. Other than the above mentioned differences the two lists I used are identical except the fact that Munshi Mehboob 'Alim divides the whole Ummah into six major branches i.e. 1.Rafidiya, 2.Kharijiya, 3.Jabariyah, 4.Qadriyah, 5.Jahmiyah and 6. Marjiyah. While abu-Mansur list the sects of Jahmiyah under the main class Marjiyah and Jabariyah under the Qadriya, thus dividing the Ummah into only four major classes, i.e. 1.Rafidiyah, 2.Kharijiya, 3.Qadriya and 4. Marjiyah. The only other difference found is that the two authors sometimes use different names for the same sect which becomes clear while looking at the beliefs associated to them. This I believe is because the two authors resided in different regions (one in Arabia the other in Indo-Pak subcontinent) at different times so perhaps the same sects may have been known with different names in different regions. I have tried to include various names given to the same sect by both authors where ever possible.
Name of the Sect Basic Belief Distinguishing it from Others
1.Jarudiyah Followers of Abu'l-Jarud, They believe Prophet (pbuh) designated Ali (ra) as the Imam by his characteristics but not by name.
2. Sulaimaniah / Jaririyah Followers of Sulaiman ibn-Jarir al-Zaidi, They believed Imamat was a matter of conference and could be confirmed by two best Muslims.
3. Butriyah / Hurariyah They did not dispute the Khilafat of Uthman, neither they attack him nor praise him.
4. Yaqubiyya They accepted the Khilafat of Abu Bakr and Umar, but did not reject those who rejected these Khulafaa. They also believed that Muslim committers of Major sins will be in hell fire forever.
5. Hanafiyah Followers of the Imammate of Muhammad ibn-al-Hanifah. They believe that Allah might have had a beginning.
6. Karibiyah They believed that Imam Muhammad ibn-al-Hanifah is not dead and is the Imam Ghaib (in disappearance) and the expected Mahdi.
7. Kamiliyah Followers of abu-Kamil. They believed companions to be heretic because they forsook their allegiance to Ali and condemn Ali for ceasing to fight them. They believed in the returning of the dead before the Day of Resurrection and that Satan is right in preferring fire to clay.
8. Muhammadiyyah / Mughairiyah Followers of Muhammad ibn-'Abdullah ibn-al-Hassan. They do not believe that Imam Muhammad ibn-'Abdullah died and that he is Imam Ghaib and awaited Mahdi.
9. Baqiriyah Followers of Muhammad ibn-'Ali al-Baqir. They believe him to be the Imam Ghaib and expected Mahdi.
10. Nadisiyah They believe that those who consider themselves better than anyone else are Kafirs (disbelievers).
11. Sha'iyah They believe that the one who has recited La Ilaha Il-Allah (There is none worthy of worship except Allah), whatever she or he does, will never be punished.
12. Ammaliyah They believe that faith for one is what he/she sincerely practices.
13. Ismailiyah They believe in the continuity of Imammate among the descendants of Ismail ibn-Ja'far.
14. Musawiyah / Mamturah They believe Musa ibn-Ja'far to be the Imam Ghaib and expected Mahdi.
15. Mubarikiyah They believe in the continuity of Imammate among the descendants of Muhammad ibn-Ismail ibn-Ja'far.
16. Kathiyah / Ithn 'Ashariya (the Twelvers) They believe that expected Mahdi will be the twelveth Imam among the descendants of 'Ali ibn-abi-Talib.
17. Hashamiya / Taraqibiyah They Predicate a body to Allah and also allege Prophet (pbuh) of disobedience to Allah.
18. Zarariyah They believed that Allah did not live nor had any attributes till He created for Himself life and His attributes.
19. Younasiyah Followers of Younas ibn-'Abd-al-Rahman al-Kummi. They believe that Allah is borne by bearers of His Throne, though He is stronger than they.
20. Shaitaniyah / Shireekiyah They believed in the view that deeds of servants of Allah are substances; and a servant of Allah can really produce a substance.
21. Azraqiah Followers of Nafi ibn-al-Azraq. They do not believe in the good dreams and vision and claim that all forms of revelation has ended.
22. Najadat Followers of Najdah ibn-'Amir al-Hanafi. They abolished the punishment for drinking wine also they believed that sinners of this sect would not be treated in hellfire but some other place before allowed in paradise.
23. Sufriyah Followers of Ziyad ibn-al-Asfar. They believed that sinners are in fact polytheists.
24. Ajaridah Followers of Abd-al-Karim ibn-Ajrad. They believed that a child should be called to Islam after it has attained maturity. Also they believed booty of war to be unlawful till the owner is killed.
25. Khazimiyah They believe Allah loves men of all faiths even if one has been disbeliever most of his life.
26. Shuaibiyah / Hujjatiyah They believe that what Allah desires does happen no matter what and what does not happen it means Allah desires it not.
27. Khalafiyah Followers of Khalaf. They do not believe in fighting except under the leadership of an Imam.
28. Ma'lumiyah / Majhuliyah They believed that whoever did not recognize Allah by all His names was ignorant of Him and anyone ignorant of Him was a disbeliever.
29 Saltiyah Followers of Salt ibn-Uthman. They believed in the conversion of adults only and if father has converted to Islam children were considered disbeliever till they reach maturity.
30. Hamziyah Followers of Hamza ibn-Akrak. They believe that children of polythiests are condemned to hell.
31. Tha'libiyah Followers of Tha'labah ibn-Mashkan. They believe that parents remain guardian over their children of any age until children make it clear to parents that they are turning away from truth.
32. Ma'badiyah They did not believe in taking or giving alms from or to slaves.
33. Akhnasiyah They do not believe in waging a war except in defense or when the opponent is known personally.
34. Shaibaniyah / Mashbiyah Followers of Shaiban ibn-Salamah al-Khariji. They believe Allah resembles His creatures.
35. Rashidiyah They believe that land watered by springs, canals or flowing rivers should pay half the Zakat (Tithe), while land watered by rain only should pay the full Zakat.
36. Mukarramiyah / Tehmiyah Followers of abu-Mukarram. They believe that ignorance constitutes as disbelief. Also that Allah enmity or friendship depends upon the state of a persons belief at his death.
37. Ibadiyah / Af'aliyah Consider Abdullah ibn-Ibad as their Imam. They believe in doing good deeds without the intention of pleasing Allah.
38. Hafsiyah Consider Hafs ibn-abi-l-Mikdam as their Imam. They believe that only knowing Allah frees one from polytheism
39. Harithiya Followers of Harith ibn-Mazid al-Ibadi. They believe that the ability precedes the deeds.
40. Ashab Ta'ah They believe that Allah can send a prophet without giving him any sign to prove his prophecy.
41. Shabibiyah / Salihiyah Followers of Shabib ibn-Yazid al-Shaibani. They believe in the Imamate of a woman named Ghazalah.
42. Wasiliyah Followers of Wasil ibn-'Ata al-Ghazza. They believe that those who commit major sins will be punished in hell but still remain believers.
43. 'Amriyah Followers of 'Amr ibn-Ubaid ibn-Bab. They reject the legal testimony of people from supporters of either side of the battle of Camel.
44. Hudhailiyah / Faniya Followers of abu-al-Hudhail Muhammad ibn-al-Hudhail. They believe that both Hell and Paradise will perish and that preordination of Allah can cease, at which time Allah will no longer be omnipotent.
45. Nazzamiyah Followers of abu-Ishaq Ibrahim ibn-Saiyar. They do not believe in the miraculous nature of the Holy Quran nor do they believe the miracles of Holy Prophet (pbuh) like splitting the moon.
46. Mu'ammariyah They Believe that Allah neither creates life nor death but it is an act of the nature of living body..
47. Bashriyah Followers of Bashr ibn-al-Mu'tamir. They believe that Allah may forgive a man his sins and may change His mind about this forgiveness and punish him if he is disobedient again.
48. Hishamiyah Followers of Hisham ibn-'Amr al-Futi. They believe that if a Muslim community come to consensus it need an Imam and if it rebels and kills its Imam, no one should be chosen an Imam during a rebellion.
49. Murdariyah Followers of Isa ibn-Sabih. They believe that staying in close communication with the Sultan (ruler) makes one unbeliever.
50. Ja'friyah Followers of Ja'far ibn-Harb and Ja'far ibn-Mubashshir. They believe that drinking raw wine is not punishable and that punishment of hell could be inferred by a mental process.
51. Iskafiyah Followers of Muhammad ibn-Abdallah al-Iskafi. They believe that Allah has power to oppress children and madmen but not those who have their full senses.
52. Thamamiyah Followers of Thamamah ibn-Ashras al-Numairi. They believe that he whom Allah does not compel to know Him, is not compelled to know and is classed with animals who are not responsible.
53. Jahiziayh Followers of 'Amr ibn-Bahr al-Jahiz. They believe that Allah is able to create a thing but unable to annihilate it.
54. Shahhamiyah / Sifatiyah Followers of abu-Yaqub al-Shahham. They everything determined is determined by two determiners, one the Creator and the other acquirer.
55. Khaiyatiyah / Makhluqiyah Followers of abu-al-Husain al-Khaiyat. They believe that everything non-existant is a body before it appears, like man before it is born is a body in non-existance. Also that every attribute becomes existant when it makes its appearance.
56. Ka'biyah Followers of abu-Qasim Abdullah ibn-Ahmad ibn-Mahmud al-Banahi known as al-Ka'bi. They believe that Allah does not see Himself nor anyone else except in the sense that He knows Himself and others.
57. Jubbaiyah Followers of abu-'Ali al-Jubbai. They believe that Allah obeys His servants when He fulfill their wish
58.Bahshamiyah Followers of abu-Hashim. They believe that one who desires to do a bad deed, though may not do it, commits infidelity and deserves punishment.
59. Ibriyah. They believe that Holy Prophet (pbuh) was a wise man but not a prophet.
60. Muhkamiyah They believe that God has no control over His creations.
61. Qabariyya They do not believe in the punishment of grave.
62. Hujjatiya They do not believe in the punishment for deeds on the grounds that because everything is determined so whatever one does s/he is not responsible for it..
63. Fikriyya They believe that doing Dhikr and Fikr (Remembering and thinking about Allah) is better than worship.
64. 'Aliviyah / Ajariyah They believe that Hadhrat Ali share prophethood with Muhammad (pbuh).
65. Tanasikhiya They believe in the re-incarnation of soul.
66. Raji'yah They believe that Hadhrat Ali ibn-abi-Talib will return to this world.
67. Ahadiyah They believe in the Fardh (obligations) in faith but deny the sunnah.
68. Radeediyah They believe that this world will live forever.
69. Satbiriyah They do not believe in the acceptance of repentance.
70. Lafziyah They believe that Quran is not the word of God but only its meaning and essence is the word of God. Words of Quran are just the words of narrator.
71. Ashariyah The believe that Qiyas (taking a guess) is wrong and amounts to disbelief.
72. Bada'iyah They believe that obedience to Ameer is obligatory no matter what he commands.

Jewish Sects at the Time of Jesus (AS)
The literature available on the Jewish sects of the time of Jesus (AS) does not as such has a compiled list of all the sects. Definition of a sect varies from author to author. Some authors will regard a group to be too small for their criteria of a sect while the other include them as a sect. However, all of them acknowledge the existance of all the sects and sub-sect, mentioned in the following list, at the time of Jesus Christ (AS). This list has been compiled from the works of authors mentioned in the reference numbers 57-59.
1. Pharisees 2. Sadducees
3. Essenes/Ossenes 4. Party of Covanent
5. Karaites 6. Zealots
7. Therapeutae 8. Kabbalah
9. Qumranites 10. Hasmoneans
11. Amme ha 'arez 12. Yahwists
13. Rechabites 14. Nazerites
15. Hellenists (Followers of Stephen) 16. Maccabees
17. Hasideans 18. Eleazarites
19. Hyrcanusites 20. Epicureans
21. Stoics 22. Pythagoreans
23. Zadokites 24. Enochites
25. Zakaites 26. Beth Hillel
27. Beth Shammai 28. Followers of Bar Cochba
29. Habakkukites 30. Ebionites
31. Levites 32. Ezekielites
33. Herodians 34. Scribes (Soferims)
35. Galileans 36.Hemerobaptists
37. Baptists 38. Masbothei
39. Genistae 40. Meristae
41. Hellenians (Followers of Hellene) 42. Nasaraioi
43. Introversionists 44. Alexanderian Jews
45. Philos 46. Hezekiah
47. Josiah 48. Canaanites
49. Samaritans 50. Aaronides
51. Gnostic Jews of Qumran 52. Boethusians
53. Conversionists 54. Josianic Movement
55. Babylonian Jews 56. Elephantinites
57. Oniasites 58. Judeans
59. Ein Fashka 60. Antiochusians
61. Selecudins 62. Sicarii
63. Zedekiahs 64.Followers of Simon Bar Giora
65. Followers of John of Giscala 66. Followers of Simon Bar Kosiba
67. Patriarchate 68. Apocalypticians
69. Shabbatai Zevi Movement 70. Adventists
71. Epiphanesians 72. Palestanian Jews