Non-denominational Muslims (Arabic: مسلمون بلا طائفة, romanized: Muslimūn bi-la ṭā’ifa) are Muslims who do not belong to, do not self-identify with, or cannot be readily classified under one of the identifiable Islamic schools and branches.[1] Such Muslims do not think of themselves as belonging to a denomination but rather as "just Muslims" or "non-denominational Muslims."[2] Muslims who do not adhere to a sect are also known as non-sectarian Muslims.[3]
Unlike Sunnis, Shias, and Ibadis, non-denominational Muslims are not affiliated with any madhhab (school of thought).[4][5][6] In Lithuania, non-denominational Muslims fall into the category of "non-traditional religious communities", and are formally separated by law from Sunnis.[7]
While the majority of the population in the Middle East identify as either Sunni or Shi'a, a significant number of Muslims identify as non-denominational.[8] According to a 2012 study by the Pew Research Center, Muslims who do not identify with a sect and identify as "just Muslim" make up a majority of the Muslims in eight countries: Kazakhstan (74%), Albania (65%), Kyrgyzstan (64%), Kosovo (58%), Indonesia (56%), Mali (55%), Bosnia and Herzegovina (54%), Uzbekistan (54%), and a plurality in four countries: Azerbaijan (45%), Russia (45%), Nigeria (42%), and Cameroon (40%).[9] They are found primarily in Central Asia.[9] Kazakhstan has the largest proportion of Muslims who do not identify with a sect, who constitute about 74% of the Muslim population.[9] According to WorldAtlas, 30% of Moroccans are non-denominational Muslims, while two-thirds belong to the Sunni denomination.[10] Southeastern Europe also has a large number of Muslims who do not identify with a sect.[9]
Notable figures who have espoused an anti-sectarian stance include:
- Hafiz[11][12]
- Altaf Hussain Hali[13]
- Jamal al-Din al-Afghani[14][15]
- Kassim Ahmad[16][17]
- Muhammad Abduh[18]
- Muhammad Akram Khan[13]
- Muhammad Ali Jinnah[19]
- Muhammad Iqbal[20][13][21]
- Aga Khan III[13]
- Faisal I of Iraq[22][23][24]
- Ghulam Ahmed Pervez[25]
- Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan[26]
- Abdullah of Saudi Arabia[27]
- Abdullah II of Jordan[28]
- Muhammad VI of Morocco[29]
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