The Nājiyah, or “Saved Ones”
Definition and Significance
The Nājiyah (Arabic: النَّاجِيَة, Turkish: Kurtulanlar), often translated as the “Saved Ones,” refers to the one sect among the seventy-three claimed to represent the true, correct interpretation of Islam, ensuring salvation in the hereafter. This concept is derived from a famous hadith of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who is reported to have said that his Ummah (community) would eventually divide into seventy-three sects, but only one of them will be saved.
Etymology
- Arabic: النَّاجِيَة (an-Nājiyah)
- Nājiyah stems from the root word “نجو” (naja), meaning “to be saved” or “to escape.”
- Turkish: Kurtulanlar
Origin and Categorization of Islamic Sects
Nājiyah is traditionally considered to be one group among the numerous Islamic sects. The sectarian landscape of Islam has been divided mainly into the following sources and specific sects:
Mr. Sale’s Four Key Sources
- Mu’tazilīyahs (Mu’tazilites)
- Followers of Wāṣil ibn ʿAṭā, considered the initiators of Islamic scholastic theology or “Kalam.”
- Ṣifātīyahs (Attributists)
- Opponents of the Mu’tazilīyahs, who affirm the divine attributes.
- Khārijīyahs (Kharijites)
- Those who revolted against Caliph ʿAli and took an extreme stance on matters of faith and governance.
- Shīʿahs (Shiites)
- A major branch of Islam, following `Ali ibn Abi Talib and his descendants.
Major Islamic Sects
The Sharḥu ʾ-Muwāqif, a classical text, outlines eight major Islamic sects:
- Mu’tazilah
- Shīʿahs
- Khawārij
- Murji’ah
- Najjārīyah
- Jabarīyah
- Mushabbihīyah
- Nājiyah
Further Studies and Recommended Books
For a deeper understanding of Islamic sects and the theological debates among them, consider the following works:
- “Muslim Sects and Divisions” by A. K. A. Rahim
- “Islamic Movements” by Sharif Shuja
- “The Formation of Islam: Religion and Society in the Near East, 600–1800” by Jonathan P. Berkey
- “The Venture of Islam” by Marshall G. S. Hodgson
Takeaways
- Nājiyah symbolizes the “Saved Ones” among the Islamic community.
- It arises from an ecclesiological perspective within Islam, emphasizing a singular path to true salvation.
- The Islamic community diverges into various theological and juristic schools, reflecting rich historical and doctrinal debates.
Conclusion
The Nājiyah represent a segment within Islamic tradition aspiring for doctrinal purity and correctness. Understanding these sects and their origins not only enriches one’s knowledge about Islamic theology but also about the multifaceted history and cultural diversity within the global Muslim community.
By delving deeper into the origins, developments, and key tenets of Islamic sects, one appreciates the profound and dynamic history that shapes contemporary Islamic thought and practice.
