Sects, Sects and divisions in religion

Say, "Indeed I fear, if I should disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day."

But they [i.e., the people] divided their religion among them into portions [i.e., sects] - each faction, in what it has,¹ rejoicing.

[Or] of those who have divided their religion and become sects, every faction rejoicing in what it has.¹

He has ordained for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], and what We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus - to establish the religion and not be divided therein. Difficult for those who associate others with Allāh is that to which you invite them. Allāh chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns back [to Him].

And they did not become divided until after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between themselves. And if not for a word¹ that preceded from your Lord [postponing the penalty] until a specified time, it would have been concluded between them. And indeed, those who were granted inheritance of the Scripture after them are, concerning it, in disquieting doubt.

But the denominations from among them differed [and separated], so woe to those who have wronged from the punishment of a painful Day.

And We gave them clear proofs of the matter [of religion]. And they did not differ except after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between themselves. Indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.