We reply:

Yes. The hadith likewise indicates that the seventy-two differ from one another, just as this one sect differs from them. Nothing in the hadith indicates that the seventy-two share the fundamentals of belief. Rather, the apparent meaning of the hadith indicates only that the seventy-three(1) are mutually distinct, each sect differing from every other. It is therefore evident that division is a cause for censure, not praise. Allah Most High has commanded communal unity and harmony, and He has condemned division(2) and disagreement. He Most High said:

“Hold fast, all together, to the rope of Allah, and do not be divided.”

[Surah Āl Imrān: 103]

He also said:

“Do not be like those who became divided and differed after clear proofs had come to them. They will suffer a tremendous punishment—on the Day when some faces will become bright and others dark. As for those whose faces have darkened…”—and so on.

[Surah Āl Imrān: 105]

Ibn Abbās and others said: “The faces of the people of the Sunnah will become bright, while the faces of the people of innovation [and division](3) will become dark.”

He Most High also said:

“Indeed, you have nothing whatsoever to do with those who have divided their religion and become factions.”

[Surah al-Anām: 159]

And He said:

“None differed concerning it except those who had been given it, after clear proofs had come to them, out of mutual transgression.”

[Surah al-Baqara: 213]

And He said:

“Those who were given the Scripture did not become divided until after the clear proof came to them.”

[Surah al-Bayyina: 4 ]

Given this, the sect that departs most sharply from the community and is most internally divided(4)