Non-denominational Muslim

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" are found primarily in Central Asia.^[9] They make up a majority of 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] According to World Atlas, 30% of Moroccans are non-denominational Muslims, and two thirds belong to the Sunni denomination.^[10] Southeast Europe also has a large number of Muslims who do not identify with a sect.^[9]

Notable individuals

Notable Muslim figures who have espoused an anti-sectarian stance include the following:

• Al-Ma'mun^[11]
• Hafiz^[12][13]
• Altaf Hussain Hali^[14]
• Jamal al-Din al-Afghani^[15][16]
• Kassim Ahmad^[17][18]
• Muhammad Abduh^[19]
• Muhammad Akram Khan^[14]
• Muhammad Ali Jinnah^[20]
• Muhammad Iqbal^[21][14][22]
• Aga Khan III^[14]
• Faisal I of Iraq^[23][24][25]
• Ghulam Ahmed Pervez^[26]
• Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan^[27]
• Abdullah of Saudi Arabia^[28]
• Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan^[29][30]
• Abdullah II of Jordan^[31]
• Muhammad VI of Morocco^[32]