The Emergence of Islamic Sects in the Era of Writing Maqālāt and on the Issue of Seventy-Two Nations

The formation of various sects and the formation of different Islamic beliefs and religions is one of the most interesting topics that experts in the history of Islam have addressed from various angles. Among the researches that have been done in this regard, the works of the German orientalist, Joseph van S, have a special place. The following article is the translation of Joseph Van S.'s article, which deals with the emergence and evolution of various theological and ideological sects in Islam. The author begins his discussion with a reference to the hadith of seventy-two nations and examines the beginning of the Umayyad era as the origin of the formation of the first sects and shows how political and social developments have contributed to the formation of sects. The literary type of articles and their qualities are also among the topics of interest to the author. In his view, the emergence of sects in Islamic civilization is more a sign of pluralism and diversity than a sign of division and conflict.