Classification of Islamic sects in work called the 'Bab al-Shaytan' from Abu Tammam's Kitab al-Shajara

Islamic literature comprises countless articles, some of which have disappeared in time, while others are considered important references in the history of Islamic sects. Bab al-Shaytan, which was discovered in the previous century and which continues to lack the appreciation it deserves, is a section within Kitab al-Shajara, a book written by Abu Tammam, a member of the Ismailiyya sect. Abu Tammam's Kitab al-Shajara focuses on different creatures such as jinns, demons and humans, while Bab al-Shaytan itself focuses on Islamic sects. The book classifies Islamic sects into 73 divisions of hadiths. Abu Tammam classifies these divisions under three main headings - those who consider Islamic practices a part of their belief, those who do not consider them to be so, and those who think imamate is the right of Ali. He mentions 24 divisions under each heading. The 73rd division came from Abu Tammam. With its classification and style, this unique book differs from other relevant books. Its use of tawils and certain Bâtınîyya concepts such as asas, natiq, kalam, lawh, janah makes this work even more unique. Despite excluding Zâhiriyya people and making serious accusations at the beginning of his book, Abu Tammam presents a solution at the end which seeks to bring all sorts of disagreements to a close; he claims that all ideas actually arise from the same origin and that disagreements will end when people unite under the ideology of Bâtınîyya, the common origin. Regarding his statements about the divisions between these two poles, it is safe to say that he does not target distortion and manipulation, even if it remains uncertain whether or not he aims to be more conservative or objective. In this section, which constitutes a large part of his book, Abu Tammam refrains from offering his own opinions except in a few passages; instead, he tries to explain the divisions from an objective perspective. Bab al-Shaytan is a valuable source owing to its classification system and style, as well as its explanations in regard to the approach of an Ismailiyya author towards sects. As such, it warrants thorough research.