Assalam o alaikum Mufti Sahab . 1.It is said that there would be 72 sects and one would be correct. As on today which one is correct.

1. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'There will be 72 sects in%0D%0Amy Ummah and everyone will be astray but one. Those who are on my path and%0D%0Athe path of my companions.' (Mishkaat). Those who follow the Sunnah of%0D%0ARasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and his companions are the Ahlus%0D%0ASunnah Wal Jama'ah. There are many sects, each one claiming to be on the%0D%0AHaqq and the straight path. The criteria to determine the correct sect is:%0D%0Aa) Adherence to the Qur'aan and Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi%0D%0AWasallam).%0D%0Ab) To believe in the finality of the Prophethood of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu%0D%0AAlayhi Wasallam)%0D%0Ac) To have love for every companion of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi%0D%0AWasallam)%0D%0Ad) To follow the Shari'ah through the guidance of anyone of the four famous%0D%0AImaams of Fiqh - Imaam Nu'maan ibn Thaabit Abu Hanifa, Imaam Muhammad ibn%0D%0AIdrees Shaaf'ee, Imaam Maaliki and Imaam Ahmad ibn Hambal%0D%0A%0D%0AIn view of the above criteria, Shi'as and Mawdudis, will be excluded as they%0D%0A(in particular - the Ja'faris) discredit the Sahaaba and make derogative%0D%0Aremarks against them. Qadianis will be excluded as their beliefs are%0D%0Acontrary to the Qur'aan and do not believe in the finality of the%0D%0Aprophethood of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). If one follows the%0D%0Aabove mentioned criteria to determine the right sect, he%2Fshe will be guided%0D%0Aand saved from being netted into the wrong sect.%0D%0A%0D%0A2. 'For Muslim males to grow a beard is Waajib (compulsory), and to let it%0D%0Agrow a fist length is Waajib. Without any Shar%E9e reason to cut or shave is%0D%0AHaraam (totally prohibited). He who does so is a Faasiq (sinner) and to%0D%0Ashorten it less than a fist length is Makruh Tahrimi (near Haraam).' Dari%0D%0AAur Ambiyaa Ki Sunnate, Mufti Saeed Palanpuri.%0D%0A%0D%0A3. As Muslims, we are duty bound to dispel any misconceptions of Islam to%0D%0Athe best of our ability according to the means acceptable in Shari'ah.%0D%0A%0D%0Aand Allah Ta'ala Knows Best%0D%0A%0D%0AMufti Ebrahim Desai%0D%0AFATWA DEPT.%0D%0A