BENEFIT 311: Misguided Sects have no limit

Question: What is the most important and valuable book for understanding the different sects? Sheikh Yahya hafidahullah: Sects have no limit. They continue to increase. No year passes without the following one being worse, and this includes disunity and the proliferation of sects. One may find an individual initially aligned with Ahlus-Sunnah, only to later diverge. For instance, someone might start as a Sunni, then he separates from them due to the influence of the devil, succumbing to his whispers, evil eye, etc. The person is eventually led astray. Some abandon prayer, others forsake the Sunnah, and some adopt deviant ideologies, forming groups and becoming leaders of factions. This phenomenon has become increasingly common. For example, some students of Al-Hasan Al-Baṣri were initially with him, but individuals such as Wāṣil ibn ’Aṭā' Al-Ghazzāl and others eventually split off, leading to the formation of the Mu’tazilah sect. These divisions have limit. As for books that address these sects, many works have been written on the subject. Ibn Hazm authored 'Al-Fiṣal fi Al-Milal wa An-Niḥal'. Similarly, Al-Shihristāni authored books, although he was more misguided in Aqeedah than Ibn Hazm in terms of philosophy and theology. One of his notable works is 'Al-Milal wa An-Niḥal', which is a summarised work. Al-Baghdādi also wrote 'Al-Farq bayn Al-Firaq'. Among the best books on this topic are those by Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, particularly 'Minhāj As-Sunnah An-Nabawiyyah'. This book is not limited to tackling the Rafidah but also critiques the Bāṭiniyyah and numerous other sects. 'Minhāj As-Sunnah' is truly a treasure trove of knowledge. Related benefit ⤵️ https://t.me/almanhajussalafi/1201