Follow Abraham, Not Sects

The Qur’an instructs believers to follow the religion of Abraham (millat Ibrāhīm). This guidance redirects religion away from tribal, ethnic, and sectarian identities and toward a universal submission based on monotheism, duties, and righteousness. Abraham belonged to no sect, carried no later label, and followed no post-Abrahamic tradition — he submitted directly to God alone.

This page highlights the Qur’anic contrast between following Abraham and following sects, using the Qur’an alone.

Emphasizing to Follow Abraham Not Sects

God commands the final prophet:

“Then We inspired you to follow the religion of Abraham, monotheism…” (16:123) 

This instruction is:

  • Direct

  • Unconditional

  • Universal

  • Time-independent

The Qur’an does not say “follow the sects,” “follow the scholars,” or “follow the ancestors.” It says: follow the religion of Abraham.

Abraham Was Not Part of Any Sect

The Qur’an removes all later identities from Abraham:

“Abraham was neither Jewish, nor Christian; he was a monotheist submitter…” (3:67) 

Implications:

  • Abraham did not belong to post-Sinai Judaism

  • Abraham did not belong to post-Gospel Christianity

  • Abraham did not belong to any later sects

  • Submission (islām) predates religious branding

Abraham’s religion is older than sectarian history.

Sectarian Claims Are Corrected by the Qur’an

The Qur’an addresses disputes among People of the Book:

“O People of the Book, why do you argue about Abraham, when the Torah and Gospel were not revealed until after him?” (3:65) 

Reasoning:

  • You cannot retroactively brand Abraham

  • Scripture came after him

  • Claims are historically invalid

This principle applies equally to all later sects, including those inside Islam.

Subscription to Sectarian Labels Is Condemned

While the Qur’an does not list Islamic sect names (Sunni, Shia, etc.) — these arose later — it condemns the practice of splitting into sects:

“Do not be among those who divide their religion and break into sects; each group rejoicing in what they have.” (30:32) 

This is a universal rule:

  • No prophet authorized sects

  • No scripture commands sect identity

  • No believer benefits from factional pride

Abraham did not divide religion — he unified it upon God alone.

Sectarian Authority vs Abrahamic Submission

Sects often rely on:

  • Human scholars

  • Clergy systems

  • Juristic schools

  • Institutional authority

  • Group identity

Abraham relied on:

  • Direct revelation

  • Direct prayer

  • Direct submission

  • Direct duties

Example:

“When his Lord said to him, ‘Submit,’ he said, ‘I submit to the Lord of the worlds.’” (2:131) 

There is no intermediary, no committee, no sect — only God and Abraham.

Duties Without Sectarian Framework

Abraham’s religion included actual duties, not sectarian jurisprudence:

All believers can perform these without joining:

  • Schools

  • Orders

  • Madhhabs

  • Brotherhoods

  • Clerical systems

This universality reflects the Abrahamic model.

Sectarian Disputes Distract from Submission

Sects often focus on:

  • Who is right instead of what is right

  • Authority instead of submission

  • Inherited identity instead of righteous deeds

  • Polemic instead of worship

The Qur’an repeatedly redirects believers toward:

  • Righteousness

  • Worship

  • charity

  • patience

  • truthfulness

and away from dispute.

Abraham as the Benchmark

Abraham functions in the Qur’an as the benchmark against which belief is measured:

“There has been a good example for you in Abraham and those with him…” (60:4)

God did not say:

  • There has been a good example for you in sects

  • There has been a good example for you in scholars

  • There has been a good example for you in madhhabs

The example is Abraham, not factions.

Summary

According to the Qur’an, believers are instructed to:

  • Follow Abraham (16:123)

  • Reject sectarian division (30:32)

  • Avoid retroactive religious labels (3:67)

  • Reject post-revelation ownership claims (3:65)

  • Adopt Abraham’s submission without intermediaries (2:131)

Abraham’s religion is:

  • Universal

  • Non-sectarian

  • Monotheistic

  • Action-based

  • Revelation-rooted

  • Direct with God

Sects rely on:

  • Human branding

  • Institutional authority

  • Historical disputes

The Qur’an places the model of Abraham, not sects, at the heart of submission.