How many types of caste and sub-castes are in the Islam religion or sect?
In South Asia, the caste system among Sacred Middle East Islamic Religion includes various aspects such as Ashrafism, Syedism, Zatism, Sharifism, Biradarism, and the Quom System. Along with these, there are also hierarchical classifications of khandan, which refers to dynasty, family, or lineage descent, and nasab, which is a group based on blood ties and lineage.
There are 3 main castes in Islam
1. Sunni: has these sub-castes in Islam
2. Shiah: has these sub-castes. it covers major Islamic castes. It is divided into two parts in Islam
2.1 Isma’ilism
- 2.1 (i) Sevener and (ii) Qaramita
- 2.1.2 (i) Nizari and (ii) Druze
- 2.1.3 (i) Musta’li and (ii) Tayyibi (iii) Bohras
(iii) Bohras has these sub sub caste lines
- Dawoodi bohras
- Jafari bohras
- Sulaimani Bohras
- Hebitahs Bohras
- Atba-I Malak Bohras
- Progressive Dawoodi Bohras
2.2 Ja’fri
2.3 Zaidiyyah
3. Khawarij : has these sub-castes. It has very less number of Sub-castes in Islam
3.1 Ibadiyya
Now the question is : how many total castes are there in Islam?
Answer: If we go deeper, we find more castes in the Islam in Asia. and the origin of Islam is Middle east Saudi Arabia which is also a part of Asia.
There is chart which can explain the caste system in Islam
Caste like system of stratification is widely practiced by Muslims of South Asia. Indian Muslims are no exception. Muslim society in India consists of several status groups or biradaris that are broadly sorted in three categories:
- The Ashrafs (the ‘noble’ elite or the ‘honorable ones’)
- The Ajlafs (backward Muslims) and
- The Arzals (Dalit Muslims).
Ashrafs in India are Muslims who either claim to have a foreign pedigree — descendants of Muslims from Arabia, Persia, Turkey, Afghanistan (Syeds, Sheikhs, Mughals and Pathans,) — or who are upper-caste converts from Hinduism (Rajput, Gaur, Tyagi Muslims among others).
Ajlafs are middle-caste converts, who were into ritually “clean” occupations. The momins or julahas (weavers), darzi or idiris (tailors), rayeens or kunjaras (vegetable sellers) fall in the Ajlaf bracket.
Arzals — are from the lowest, “untouchable” castes like halalkhors, helas, lalbegis or bhangis (scavengers), dhobis (washermen), nais or hajjams (barbers), chiks (butchers), and faqirs (beggars).
Ashrafs and Ajlafs are the Vaishya and Brahmin equivalents of Hinduism. Arzals are the dalits of Islam/Muslims in India. Arzals are the despicable and are at the bottom of the social structure.