Is joining the Muslim Brotherhood unlawful (haram) and an innovation (bid‘ah) because there were no such groups during the time of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and does the noble verse apply to them: "Indeed, those who divided their religion and became sects – you, [O Muhammad], are not [associated] with them in anything. Their affair is only with Allah; then He will inform them of what they used to do"?

Religious support groups—such as the Muslim Brotherhood and the like—are, in general, good. Cooperating with them in righteousness and piety is commendable and permissible. It is not considered the blameworthy division of religion if it adheres to the following Sharia (definition)-compliant guidelines: that adopting these names is permissible, that the gathering is not for an un-Islamic purpose, and that allegiance and disavowal are not based on these names and groups. Rather, allegiance and disavowal should be based on the Qur'an and Sunnah (definition), accepting the truth from whoever brings it, and offering sincere advice to individuals when they err.