Now, each of the 73 or more sects that exist today asserts that it alone represents the 'authentic' Islamictradition, and that it alone abides by the Quran and the Prophetic practice. Every Muslim group claims to bethe one saved sect, and implicitly or directly argues that the other groups are, by definition, aberrant, notreally Muslim, and hence destined to doom in hell. This firm conviction of having a monopoly over religioustruth inculcates an unshakable self-righteousness that dismisses all other truth claims, whether of non-Muslimreligious communities or of other Muslim groups.
I am not in a position to pronounce on the legitimacy of the hadith that predicts the splintering of the ummahinto 73 factions. Like many other hadith reports, it might well have been concocted after the Prophet's deathand then attributed to him in order to legitimise the reality of intra-Muslim sectarianism. However, thisreport is not of merely academic value, for it continues to be frequently quoted in the writings of Muslimpolemicists of different sects in order to stress their claims to representing the 'authentic' Islamictradition. It is also continuously used to justify the preaching of hatred against other Muslim sects.
To illustrate the point, let me cite a recent instance. Some months ago I attended a massive Barelvi gatheringin Bombay, where I listened to the impassioned speeches of numerous Barelwi 'ulama thundering against variousother Muslim groups. Later, I asked a Barelwi scholar who was present on the occasion to tell me what hethought about the fiery diatribes of the 'ulama against other Muslim sects. Especially at a time when Muslimsin India are being hounded by Hindutva fanatics, was it right, I asked him, for the 'ulama to promoteintra-Muslim strife? Was it not important for the 'ulama to help promote Muslim unity instead?
The 'alim turned to me, and answered without batting an eyelid, 'The Prophet had predicted more than 1400years ago that the Muslims would be divided into 73 sects, all but one of which would go to hell. Now, if wetry and promote unity between the sects that would be going against the saying of the Prophet himself. Andthat would be a very grave crime indeed!'
I was, of course, aghast at the reply, but I chose to let the 'alim go on with his ranting.
Let me cite another instance. Last year I met an 'alim who teaches at a madrasa affiliated to the Ahl-i Hadith,a sect known for its strict literalism and hostility towards all other Muslim groups. This 'alim is consideredto be a great champion of the cause of the Ahl-i Hadith, his principal achievement being having pennednumerous tracts to prove that the Deobandis, the Barelwis and the Jama'at-i Islami, all fellow Sunni groups,have allegedly strayed from the path of 'true' Islam, and hence, for all practical purposes, are not Muslim atall.