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The question

How can one reconcile the different sayings of scholars regarding the authenticity of the Hadith "My Ummah will split into seventy-three sects," and determine which of these sayings is the most correct?

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Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

The hadith about the splitting of the Ummah states that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "My Ummah will split into seventy-three sects, all of them in the Fire except one, which is the Jama'ah (the main body of Muslims)." In another narration: "what I and my Companions are upon." This addition has been authenticated by the majority of Muhaddithin (hadith scholars). It has also been reported with the wording: "all of them in Paradise except one," but this wording is fabricated and falsely attributed to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Al-Bishari is not a hadith scholar, so his authentication cannot be given precedence over the statements of the Imams of Hadith.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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