Q: A questioner states that there are three religious groups in his country, namely: (1) The Group of Izalat Al-Bida` wa Iqamat Al-Sunnah (Bid`ah Elimination and Sunnah Establishment), (2) Sufi orders, and (3) Al-Qadiriyyah (Sufi order). He asks that you shed light on these three groups and clarify their position with respect to the Noble Qur'an and the honorable Sunnah of the Prophet.

A: First: Whoever calls to (adherence to) Allah's Book (Exalted be He) and to what is authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), acts accordingly, denies whatsoever opposes them, tries to remove innovated acts of Bid`ah, cooperates with and befriends the people of Sunnah, refutes the people of Bid`ah, and rejects their innovations in Islam with sure knowledge and upon clear proof, will be of Ahl Al-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah (those adhering to the Sunnah and the Muslim community). Second: Sufi orders are many, including Al-Tijaniyyah, Al-Qadiriyyah, Al-Khalwatiyyah, etc. Yet, none of the above Sufi orders is completely void of Bid`ah acts, even though they may differ in the degree of Bid`ah. Some of them have many Bid`ahs and others have few. Third: The Shiites have more than twenty sects. You can read about them in Al-Milal wa Al-Nihal, by Al-Shahristany; Al-Fisal fi Al-Milal wa Al-Nihal, by Ibn Hazm; Al-Farq bayn Al-Firaq, by Al-Bughdady; Mukhtasar Kitab Al-A'immah Al-Ithna `Ashriyyah; and Minhaj Al-Sunnah, (Part No. 2; Page No. 300) by Ibn Taymiyyah. You will find in these books adequate information about these sects and their position with respect to Islam.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.