Reflection on Imran 105

[Inquisitive_]

This Ayah deals with the Psychology of sectarism and division.

Imran 105

And do not be like the ones who became divided and differed after the clear proofs had come to them. And those will have a great punishment

Becoming divided, splitting into fraction and groups and seperating yourself from other Muslims. (this is what they engaged in first as the ayah points out)

Having a difference of opinion which is not a crime (what they engaged in after spliting)


The psychology of division and splitting into fraction is that normally a 'difference of opinion' and 'disagreements' takes place FIRST, THEN as a result of those diagreements different groups and fractions are created on the back of those disagreements.

This is the organic process of people splitting into fractions/groups, THEY HAVE A difference of OPINIONS and DISAGREEMENTS FIRST!

But that's not what Allah is saying in the Ayah!! The people he speaks off are engaging in a far bigger crime that is inorganic, they did the complete REVERSE.

They FIRST formed the secterian groups and different fractions to seperate themselves from other Muslims and once they finished esablishing those divisions!

ONLY THEN! did they begin to DIFFER, BICKER and have DISAGREEMENTS with other Groups!

I would like to ask the readers, the following question!

Why would someone form a secterian group/fraction/division FIRST, then begin to engage in disagreement with other fractions?

 

[embarassing]

tribalism (of all kinds)

that includes family, clan, tribe, nation, racial, gender, social group, etc.

 

[Inquisitive_]

tribalism (of all kinds)

that includes family, clan, tribe, nation, racial, gender, social group, etc.

True.

How often do you see people have 'ikhtilaaf' first which is of course healthy and allowed, and as a result of this ikhtilaaf break up into fractions and become tribalistic (tafaruq)? you rarely see this happen.

The 4 imam's had a lot of disagreements (ikhtilaaf) on Islamic jurisprudence, but never let that ikhtilaaf become a source of breaking up into fractions/groups/divisions.(tafaruq)

It's remarkable how Allah in the Ayah didn't say don't have "ikhtilaaf" and as a result "tafaruq" which is what your normally expect, but it's the inverse.

This is how Allah exposes all these groups, the fact they engaged in "tafaruq" first is an indication they had zero sincerity to begin with, and all the subsequent "ikhtilaaf" that follows is just smokescreen and a means of increasing cult following.

Remarkable psychology in the Quran and the sort of thing you will miss easily when doing casual reading without pondering deeply.

It's no wonder at the end of the ayah Allah states those people will have "great punishment" and the ayah after

[106]
On the Day [some] faces will turn white and [some] faces will turn black. As for those whose faces turn black, [to them it will be said], "Did you disbelieve after your belief? Then taste the punishment for what you used to reject.

In the context of the Ayah the "disbelief" is referring to the "Tafaruq" they engaged in the previous Ayah, the crime is so severe, not only will they have great punishment, but there actions are tantamount to Kufr.