73 Sects of Islam

The idea that there are 73 sects in Islam is a well-known statement attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in a hadith. The hadith is narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr and is found in various collections of hadith, including Sunan Abu Dawud and Musnad Ahmad. Muhammad (pbuh) mentioned

• Jewish have 71,
• Christans have 72, and
• Islam is expected to have 73 sects.

But my Sect (1) is the sahih sect, the true sect. The hadith states: "My ummah (community) will divide into seventy-three sects, all of whom will be in Hell except one group." When asked which group that would be, the Prophet replied, "It is the one that follows my Sunnah (tradition) and that of my Companions." While the exact number of sects in Islam is not specified in the Quran or the hadith, this hadith is often cited as a warning against the dangers of sectarianism and emphasizes the importance of adhering to the authentic teachings of the Prophet and his companions. It is important to note that the idea of sects in Islam can be complex and multifaceted, and it is not always clear-cut which groups may fall into which category. Additionally, many Muslims may disagree on the exact definition of what constitutes a sect, and there is ongoing debate and discussion within the Muslim community on this issue. In one of the stories mentioned about followers of imam Shafi, he was asked by Muhammad (pbuh) in his dream, why are you following teaching of Shafi, why are you not studying mine? As the follower asked, ya Rasulullah, which one is your book? Prophet replied, it's the Bukhari Hadith.