Islamic sect
Religious Muslim group
An Islamic sect is a distinct group within Islam that holds particular theological, legal, or political positions distinguishing it from other Muslims.
The major division is between Sunni and Shia Islam, which split over succession to the Prophet Muhammad, but numerous smaller sects exist within these branches.
The Ismailis are an Islamic sect within Shia Islam.
The term can carry negative connotations when used to emphasize division rather than diversity within the faith.
- Twelver ShiaShiites recognizing twelve imams
- WahhabiIslamic fundamentalist movement
- DruzeLevantine esoteric religion
- ShiaIslam's second-largest branch
- SunniIslam's largest branch adherent
Islamic sectChristian denomination
Branch of the faith
pagan tradition · Christian sect · Catholic order · Zoroastrianism · secular humanism
Islamic sectpolitical party
Election-seeking ideological organization
civic organization · civil society · labor union · professional association
Islam, Islamic, Islamism, Islamist, Islamists, sect, sects, sectarian, sectarianism