Definition of Muslim (Islamic) Ummah

In the next few pages, all variants of the well-known tradition/hadith (of the 73 sects) and its chain of narrators/transmitters were discussed.

What is the Islamic Ummah?

According to Al-Shahrastani

The Muslim/Islamic Ummah refers to everyone who affirms the prophetic character of Muhammad, and the truth of all that he preached, no matter what he asserted after this declaration.

Others claimed that Muslim Ummah comprises all who acknowledge the necessity of turning in the direction of the Kaba in prayers.

According to the Karramiyah, the Mujassimah (corporealists) of Khurasan:

Muslim Ummah comprises all those who enunciate the two parts of the creed (There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the prophet of Allah) no matter whether he is sincere or insincere, hiding unbelief and heresy under this assertion.

This definition can be a bit problematic because they are non-Muslim communities that accept the truthfulness of the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his pure family) but at the same time reject the Islamic faith.

An example was given of the Sharikaniyah sect. According to them

Muhammad was a prophet of Allah to the Arabs, and to the rest of mankind, with the exception of the Jews. The Quran is true and the Adhan [the announcement of prayer], the Ikamah, the performance of 10 the five prayers, the fast of Ramadan, and the pilgrimage of the Kaba, all these are truths, but they are prescribed for the Muslims, not for the Jews.

The author (al-Baghdadi) mentioned a number of attributes that makes one a Muslim

• Belief in the creation of the world
• Existence of God and his attributes
• Reject anthropomorphic nature of God
• Accept the Holy Prophet Muhammad as a messenger of God
• Accept the Holy Quran as the source of Islamic laws
• Turn towards the Kaba for prayers
• Do not hold any heresies

The author mentioned heresies as controversial beliefs, i.e.,

• The divinity of the Imams
• Reincarnation of God
• Transmigration of souls
• Allowing incestuous relationship (a father marrying his daughter or granddaughter)
• Believing that the Islamic laws can/will be abrogated at the end of time
• Allowing what is forbidden and disallowing what is lawful

The author also believes that the heresy of Mu'tazilites, Khawarij, Rafidah (Imamiyyah or Zaydi) will not take you out from the Islamic faith.