Exploring the Relationship of the Deobandi Schoolwith Islamic Sects in the Indian Subcontinent

This research aims to investigate the relationship of the Deobandi school with various Islamic sects in the Indian subcontinent. The research method is descriptive-analytical, and the results indicate that scholars of the Deobandi sect have extensively influenced religious sects and tendencies in India. In this context, convergence and linkage of the Deobandi sect with other sects were among their critical keywords in the religious and sectarian domain. They have fundamental differences and divergences with other Islamic sects in matters of beliefs, leading to conflicts with sects such as the Barelvis, Maududis, Sufis, Ahl-e-Hadith, non-madhhab Salafis, Wahhabis, and Shiites. Some Deobandis consider followers of certain sects as innovators or polytheists. The most significant differences between Deobandis and Shiites revolve around issues such as intercession, seeking proximity through saints, taqiyah (precautionary dissimulation), distortion of the Quran, infallibility of the Imams (AS), the concept of Mahdaviat (the appearance of the Mahdi), visiting graves, occultation, Muṣḥaf of Fāṭima, and more. These two schools shared peaceful coexistence in opposing Hindus and the British.