Islam

Salafist-jihadist ideology and recruitment network of the so-called 'Islamic State'. Documented patterns of extreme indoctrination, sexual slavery, mass execution, and total information control. Listed as a terrorist organisation by virtually all governments.

Broader Salafi-jihadist ideological movement encompassing al-Qaeda, ISIS, Boko Haram, al-Shabaab, and successor cells. Designated terrorist by virtually every government; rejected by mainstream Sunni and Shia scholarship.

Refers specifically to high-control Salafi sub-currents in which strict gender segregation, takfir (excommunication) of dissenters, and prohibitions on outside information are enforced. Mainstream Sunni Islam and many Salafi communities do not exhibit these patterns.

Transnational political-Islamist organisation founded by Taqiuddin al-Nabhani (1953) seeking the establishment of a global Islamic caliphate. Banned in numerous countries including UK (2024), Germany, Russia, and many Muslim-majority states.

Black nationalist religious movement founded by Wallace Fard Muhammad (1930) and grown under Elijah Muhammad. Distinct from mainstream Islam in theology (Fard as God incarnate). Current leader Louis Farrakhan since 1981.

Pakistani Barelvi political-religious party founded by Khadim Hussain Rizvi (2015). Notorious for violent street mobilisation around blasphemy law issues. Briefly banned under Pakistan's Anti-Terrorism Act in 2021.

Quran-only reformist movement founded by Rashad Khalifa (1980s). Khalifa claimed to find a 'Code 19' mathematical miracle in the Quran and ultimately claimed to be a messenger. Assassinated 1990 in Tucson, Arizona.

Tablighi Jamaat splinter faction following the Saadi / Nizamuddin lineage. Heightened tensions with the parent Tablighi tradition; documented severance of dissenters in some chapters.

Deobandi Islam, originating from the Darul Uloom Deoband seminary (1866), is a vast Sunni revivalist tradition. Mainstream Deobandi practice is conservative but non-coercive; specific high-control sub-currents (some Pakistani madrasas, certain UK seminaries) earn this rating.

Transnational Sunni missionary movement founded in India (1926) by Muhammad Ilyas. Members spend extended periods (40 days to 4 months) on khuruj — door-to-door preaching journeys — significantly disrupting normal family and work life.

Umbrella entry for documented high-control Indonesian Islamic groups beyond mainstream Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah.

Umbrella for high-control Moro political-religious groups beyond mainstream Philippine Muslim community. Various specific armed groups.

Sufi tariqa with global presence under the late Sheikh Nazim al-Haqqani lineage. Mainstream is non-coercive; specific sub-currents around current sheikhs exhibit moderate control patterns documented by ex-members.

Umbrella for documented Bangladeshi pir / fakir high-control guru figures beyond mainstream Sufi tradition.

Mustaali Ismaili Shia community led by the Dai al-Mutlaq from Mumbai. Substantial commercial network. Documented controversy around female genital cutting ('khafz').

Reformist Muslim movement founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1889) believing him to be the promised Messiah and Mahdi. Officially declared non-Muslim in Pakistan (1974) and severely persecuted there; centred internationally in the UK Caliphate.

Esoteric Shia tradition concentrated in Syria. Religious knowledge restricted to initiated males. Substantial political power under the former Assad regime (1971–2024).

South Asian Sunni movement founded by Ahmed Raza Khan (1880s) emphasising Sufi devotion to the Prophet. Doctrinal opponent of Deobandi tradition.

Esoteric monotheistic religion derived from Ismaili Shia Islam (11th c.). Closed-membership tradition: no conversion permitted, no inter-faith marriage. Concentrated in Lebanon, Syria, Israel.

Heterodox Bektashi-Alevi Sufi order. Suppressed in Ottoman Turkey in 1826; relocated its world headquarters to Tirana, Albania, in 1925, where it remains.

Mainstream Twelver Shia Islam (Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain) is a low-CLCI reference point with rich scholarly and devotional tradition. The marja' al-taqlid system creates structured religious authority but adherence is voluntary.

Nizari Ismaili Shia, led by the Aga Khan (currently Prince Rahim, IV until 2025), is one of the most reformist and modernist global Muslim communities. Strong educational emphasis, women's equality, and substantial development work via the Aga Khan Development Network.

Diverse reformist movement of Muslims who reject Hadith authority and follow only the Quran. Mostly individualistic; no central organisation.

Mainstream Sunni Islam — the largest religious tradition on earth — is a low-CLCI reference point. Daily practice (five prayers, fasting in Ramadan, etc.) is voluntary in most jurisdictions and theological diversity is wide.

Mainstream Sufism — the mystical traditions within Islam (Naqshbandi, Mevlevi, Qadiri, Chishti and others) — emphasises personal spiritual development and is generally low-control. Specific guru-led tariqas can rise much higher.

Oldest major Sufi tariqa, founded by Abdul Qadir Gilani (Baghdad, 12th c.). Tens of millions of adherents globally. Mainstream low-control reference point.

Turkish Sufi order founded by followers of Rumi (13th c.). Famous for sema 'whirling' meditation. Mainstream low-control reference point.

Major South Asian Sufi tariqa founded by Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (12th c. Ajmer). Tens of millions of adherents primarily in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh.

Major Central Asian Sufi tariqa founded by Baha-ud-Din Naqshband (14th c. Bukhara). Distinctive silent dhikr practice. Mainstream low-control.

Major West African Sufi tariqa founded by Ahmad al-Tijani (Algeria, 1782). Tens of millions of adherents primarily in Senegal, Nigeria, Mali, Mauritania. Mainstream low-control reference point for Sufi traditions.

Heterodox Anatolian Shia / Sufi-influenced tradition. Estimated 15–25% of Turkey's population. Mainstream low-control reference point.