Meaning of the Hadith about the 73 sects in Islam

This is the Hadith

Dawud :: Book 40 : Hadith 4579 Narrated AbuHurayrah: The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: The Jews were split up into seventy-one or seventy-two sects; and the Christians were split up into seventy one or seventy-two sects; and my community will be split up into seventy-three sects.

Here Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says that his Ummat (community) will be divided. He never told us to divide. This is one of our misconceptions that "He told us to divide so we are dividing".

From this hadith we must make it clear that he never supported division amongst muslims he just predicted that something like this will happen.

Verses from the Quran that prove making sects is bad

Allah has written in the Quran -

And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided. [3:103]

Here Allah says not to get divided.

Allah says in another verse -

Indeed, those who have divided their religion and become sects - you, [O Muhammad], are not [associated] with them in anything. Their affair is only [left] to Allah ; then He will inform them about what they used to do. [6:159]

Here Allah says to Prophet (PBUH) to not to worry about people who make sects and that He himself will handle them.

Allah also says more about these people who create sects -

And indeed, there is among them a party who alter the Scripture with their tongues so you may think it is from the Scripture, but it is not from the Scripture. And they say, "This is from Allah ," but it is not from Allah . And they speak untruth about Allah while they know.[3:78]

Here Allah is saying that there will arise people who will misinterpret the Quran and tell it is word from God. Here Allah is pointing out to those who make sects and then justify the rightness of the sect.

Conclusion

I do not agree with following any sect.

Always follow the word of Allah i.e. the Quran and The Sahih Hadeeths. If someone tells you something not there in these two places just disregard them.

Also call yourself none but a Muslim as stated in the following verse -

Say, "O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you - that we will not worship except Allah and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords instead of Allah ." But if they turn away, then say, "Bear witness that we are Muslims [submitting to Him]."[3:64]

Hope Allah guides you onto the right path. Ameen.