In the weekly Inkishaaf (Jhansi, 21 December 1983), an article was published that describes a person’s experience, reflects the declining condition of present-day Muslims and its consequences. The writer of the article narrates:
This is a Sunni Mosque.
This is a Shia Mosque.
This is an Ahl-e-Hadith Mosque.
This is a Barelvi Mosque.
This is a Deobandi Mosque.
This mosque belongs to the Bastiyan group.
This mosque belongs to the Mansuriyan group.
Reciting salam is not allowed in this mosque.
The Tablighi Jamaat cannot stay in this mosque.
He then says: I practice Islam because I am inspired by the teachings of the Quran, not by observing Muslims. Now, someone tell me which mosque I am supposed to go to for prayer.
This brief account presents a small but telling picture of the condition of Muslims in the present age. Everywhere, Muslims are caught up in false slogans, and on the basis of self-made issues, they have divided the one religion of God into many sects.
If a man tears his clothes into 72 pieces, people will call him mad. But those who have divided the religion of God into 72 fragments are more than mad—they are guilty. Such people will not receive a reward for their religiosity; rather, there is a grave concern that they will be held to account in the Hereafter for distorting the faith.
The condition of Muslims in the present age is an exact illustration of the verse in the Quran about the People of the Book:
They divided themselves into factions, each rejoicing in what they had (23:53).
(Al-Risala, May 1984)
