Challenge: make Ismaili Shiism a seperate religion

So it seems that mainstream (Sunni) Islam, or at least some aspects of said, regard Ismailism (the second branch of Shi'a Islam) as a heresy or not part of Islam.

So what would it take for Ismailism to actually be seen as a non-Muslim religion. Obviously the POD has to be after Islam is founded, but your challenge is to make it so Ismailism is its own separate religion and not a branch of Islam.


My own thoughts would be that it was something involving either the Qarmatians or the Fatimids, but it would be interesting to see your input. The Qarmatians did have many apostatical beliefs at times, so it could be something to do with them.

EDIT: And I apologize for yet another WI about obscure topics like this, it's just my interest du jour.
 

Leo Caesius

Banned
Well, the Druze allegedly originated as a splinter sect from Ismaili Shiism, and they are viewed as a separate religion.

My work here is done.
 
I don't think it can be a seperate religion if they have similar central beliefs. For example, the Mormon religion is mostly just a Christian denomination, because they believe in Jesus Christ and whatnot.
 

HueyLong

Banned
I don't think it can be a seperate religion if they have similar central beliefs. For example, the Mormon religion is mostly just a Christian denomination, because they believe in Jesus Christ and whatnot.

But many Protestant Christians disagree there.
 
Well, the Druze allegedly originated as a splinter sect from Ismaili Shiism, and they are viewed as a separate religion.

My work here is done.

But do the Druze themselves view their religion as seperate from Islam, or do others perceive it as such?
 
I don't think it can be a seperate religion if they have similar central beliefs. For example, the Mormon religion is mostly just a Christian denomination, because they believe in Jesus Christ and whatnot.
Christianity and Judaism are different, aklthough the former includes the latter's holy book completely. It will only take Paul-like figure to split Shia from Sunni completely.
 
Don't the Ahmediyya (sp?) consider themselves to be Muslims but the majority of other Muslims consider them heretics? Similarly for the Bektashis(sp?)

Certainly, given my limited understanding of the core tenets of Islam, I find when I read about various sufi groups, their beliefs appear to me to be heretical from orthodox Islam.

Just create a situation where one group needs some kind of other scapegoat group and I am sure you can get a particular sect to called heretical, apostate etc.
 
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