Divisions in Islam

What are your views on this?why are there so many divisions in Islam?starting from the reign of the four Caliphs...the main divide is Shia and Sunni..and then even more so...more and more so!

What do you think?any views?any insights?

in my opinion, despite the best efforts of the Holy Prophet(PBUH)..the divisions started as it is human nature. I will try and be more clear. Before Islam, in terms of society value, the biggest tribe had the most rights and prestige.Most of us know this, bigger is better right?after the advent of Islam and the Holy Prophet(PBUH) famous last sermon, when he declared that no Arab or non Arab are different in the eyes of Allah, and all are the same, and will only be judged by God Himself on the day of Judgement on the basis of their own actions.(Masters of your own destinies..hehehe!)

And so the next best way to be the famous elite, or the elite in Islamic society was by deeds orr...rather being closely related to the Holy Prophet(PBUH) the ultimate in human kindness and goodness, hence the division of ppl to side with Hazrat Ali(raziullah talah unhu)..and this thinking has continued ever since...being impressed by someone and following them in the thought that if they are right, so will we be as well..I think it is an inherent quality in all of us...whomever impresses us, we tend to follow...and yet we are forgetting the ultimate example of all!The Holy Prophet himself...sometimes one can wonder that by not having a successor and not having a person to ratify actions and justify deeds is proving to be a good thing or not?

See, the strength of Islam lies in its concept that everyone is equal and none can or should be judged(in here I don't mean not be judged by law but judged as in ppl judging one another)only God will be their Judge...and with the non-existance of a Holy Order or body to justify actions...perhaps something like the Vatican..we sort of leave ourselves open to a lot of ppl proclaiming to be something and perversing the meaning of Jihad and so on and so forth.And corrupting ppl who are simply looking for some means of salvation or rather the truth.....also we have lost the desire to question our actions at times...I find that we are closed to new ideas in terms of religion/faith...whatever has been told to us from birth..is what we will remember and thats about it..nothing else and nothing less!how ironic indeed! *Blessed is the mind too small to doubt* but in doing so we surrender our will to understand our religion and improve our faith....

I think we need to be re educated to understand that no matter what Imam or what messiah your parents follow...you must place everything in front of the Holy Quran and the example of the Holy Prophet and then make your own conclusion....religion isn't complicated..its just common sense...sort of like risk analysis..but the more you dwell into it..the more you get...how much you want is upto you..but also sometimes it is the little you know that troubles you....

From doubts arise questions, from questions arise answers, from answers we get clarity...and from clarity..we get peace.