Why are there different sects?

Islam’s divisions arose from early political and historical disputes, not from the Quran, which calls believers to one community. The largest body of Muslims are Sunnis, named after the Sunnah, the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, because they hold to the Quran and his example as understood by his companions. Muslim scholars describe this as the original path rather than a sect, and note that other groups, including the Shia, who make up around eight percent of Muslims, split from it over leadership after the Prophet’s death. The way to judge any group, they say, is to compare its beliefs and practices with the Quran and authentic Sunnah. New Muslims and non-Muslims alike are encouraged not to be confused by labels but to hold to the sources. The articles “Who are Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah?” and “Shiites, Shiism, and Islam” explain the history.