Introduction
What are the major Sects in Islam?
The Prophet of Allah(swt), Mohammed told us that Muslims would eventually be divided into seventy three different sects.

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4579 Narrated by Abu Hurayrah
The Prophet(sa) 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.

In today's world when one often hears the words 'sunni' and 'shia'. These are both major sects of Islam. Apart from this there are also 'sufis', 'wahhabis' and many other sects.

 What does the Qur'an say about Sects?
 The Qur'an is crystal clear on the topic of sects and Allah(swt) addresses the topic in different surahs in the following glorious words:

Al-Quran, Chapter 6 Al-An'am, Verse 159

In the Name of Allah, The Benevolent, The Merciful

As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects thou hast no part in them in the least: their affair is with Allah: He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did.

From the above verse it should be clear that Allah(swt) clearly instructs us to not be part of any sects no matter what they may be preaching. In another Surah we are foretold by God that Muslims will break up into sects and we are also told about the disunity of the Muslim Ummah - the verse is as follows:

Al-Quran, Chapter 21 Al-Anbiyaa, Verse 92-93

In the Name of Allah, The Benevolent, The Merciful

Verily this Brotherhood of yours is a single Brotherhood and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore serve Me and no other.
But later generations cut off their affair of unity one from another: yet will they all return to Us.

The next reference to sects in the Qur'an is actually even more eye opening because it compares the sects to disbelievers and an open warning is issued.

Al-Quran, Chapter 19 Maryam, Verse 36-40

In the Name of Allah, The Benevolent, The Merciful

Verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord: Him therefore serve ye: this is a Way that is straight.
But the sects differ among themselves: and woe to the Unbelievers because of the (coming) Judgment of a momentous Day!
How plainly will they see and hear the Day that they will appear before Us! But the unjust today are in error manifest!
But warn them of the Day of Distress when the matter will be determined: for (behold) they are negligent and they do not believe!
It is We Who will inherit the earth and all beings thereon: to Us will they all be returned.

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Then once again we are told about the sects, what they do and what awaits them in the following glorious verses:

Al-Quran, Chapter 23 Al-Muminun, Verse 52-68

In the Name of Allah, The Benevolent, The Merciful

And verily this Brotherhood of yours is a single Brotherhood and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore fear Me (and no other).
But people have cut off their affair (of unity) between them into sects: each party rejoices in that which is with itself.
But leave them in their confused ignorance for a time.
Do they think that because We have granted them abundance of wealth and sons
We would hasten them on in every good? Nay they do not understand.
Verily those who live in awe for fear of their Lord;
Those who believe in the Signs of their Lord;
Those who join not (in worship) partners with their Lord;
And those who dispense their charity with their hearts full of fear because they will return to their Lord
It is these who hasten in every good work and these who are foremost in them.
On no soul do We place a burden greater than it can bear: before Us is a record which clearly shows the truth: they will never be wronged.
But their hearts are in confused ignorance of this; and there are besides that deeds of theirs which they will (continue) to do
Until when We seize in Punishment those of them who received the good things of this world behold they will groan in supplication!
It will be said: "Groan not in supplication this day; for ye shall certainly not be helped by Us.
"My Signs used to be rehearsed to you but ye used to turn back on your heels"
"In arrogance: talking nonsense about the (Qur'an) like one telling fables by night."
Do they not ponder over the Word (of Allah) or has anything (new) come to them that did not come to their fathers of old?

And finally in another chapter we are told to turn in repentance and be one of those who submit to Allah(swt) (Muslim) and not be like those who break up into sects.

Al-Quran, Chapter 30 Ar-Rum, Verse 29-32

In the Name of Allah, The Benevolent, The Merciful

Nay the wrong-doers (merely) fellow their own lusts being devoid of knowledge.  But who will guide those whom Allah leaves astray? To them there will be no helpers.
So set thou thy face steadily and truly to the Faith: (Establish) Allah's handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind: no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the standard Religion: but most among mankind understand not.
Turn ye back in repentance to Him and fear Him: establish regular prayers and be not ye among those who join gods with Allah,
Those who split up their Religion and become (mere) Sects each party rejoicing in that which is with itself!

The followers of Islam are named as Muslims both in the Qur'an and the Hadith. To add any names to this or to subtract from this is to differentiate yourself from being a Muslim and thus in turn forming a new sect. Take the following example and see what happens: make a fist with your hand and then say the name of the different sects one by one and each time you say a name raise one finger. By the time you have taken five names (i.e. Sunni, Shia, Sufi, Wahabi, Salafi) your fist will be open. Same is the case with the Muslim Ummah, together we are strong but if we divide ourselves up then we become weak and vulnerable.  One should at all costs avoid calling themselves by any other name except by the given name Muslim. The word Muslim means "One who has submitted" and is the proper name for the followers of Islam.

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What does the Hadith say about sects?

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith Hadith 4.803 Narrated by Hudhaifa bin Al Yaman
"Keep away from all those different sects, even if you had to bite (i.e. eat) the root of a tree, till you meet Allah while you are still in that state."

The Prophet of Allah(swt), Mohammed clearly instructed us to stay clear of all sects. The affair of the sects, what they do and preach is with Allah(swt) and he alone will deal with them on the day of judgment.

 How should we deal with the different sects?
 Both in the Qur'an and the Sunnah the exact same message is given concerning sects.

Chapter 6 Al-An'am Verse 159
As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects thou hast no part in them in the least: their affair is with Allah: He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did.
Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith Hadith 4.803 Narrated by Hudhaifa bin Al Yaman
"Keep away from all those different sects, even if you had to bite (i.e. eat) the root of a tree, till you meet Allah while you are still in that state."

Allah(swt) and his Prophet clearly instructed us to stay clear of all sects. The affair of the sects, what they do and preach is with Allah(swt) and He alone will deal with them on the day of judgment. We as Muslims should not fall into arguments and must always identify ourselves as just Muslims. No matter what the people from the different sects say to us we must deal with them courteously and inform them about the truth that to belong to different sects is wrong - differences in opinions will always exist but it does not give us any excuse or right to differentiate from other Muslims by calling ourselves by another name - this practice is completely wrong, instead we should be as one nation - Muslims.
 

An Appeal
Please Insha'Allah pass this article on to as many people as you can and let us try and pull ourselves out of the days of ignorance and dispute we are currently living in. Allah(swt) has made us vicegerents on this Earth to carry his word forward and to establish the deen of Islam. Thus let us carry this responsibility proudly as Muslims, as servants of Allah(swt).