Theological Positions Evolve
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ When it comes to the different sects in Islam, we often forget that theological positions evolve. So, saying such and such group believes a certain thing may be correct then, but incorrect now. For example, what we know as the ‘Alawiyyah Shi’ah sect was outright heretical 700 or so years ago. It was documented that they believed in reincarnation, which is absolutely unacceptable to Islam. Now, due to rapprochement by the Itsna’ ‘Ashari , they are indistinguishable in their belief in Imamiyyah , and are a separate sect in name only. A classic early example would be the splinter group of the Khwarij which went mainstream and eventually evolved into the Ibadhi sect. This sect predates both Sunni and Shi ’ ah Islam. When it comes to the Qadiyani sect, we reject their belief in the prophethood of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. And then they split into two branches, with the Qadiyani Ahmadi adhering to the...