Sects in Islam and influence by other religions
Question

                How many sects are there in the Muslim religion and how are each beliefs 
differ from the others?
Also, how was Islam influenced by other religions in the Middle East?
Praise be to Allah.al-hamdu lillaah.
The one and only religion that Allaah, the Most Gracious, accepts is Islam. This religion 
has one path, one direction and is based on one methodologythat which the Prophet 
of Islam Muhammad  (peace be upon him) followed along with his comrades. This 
religion which Allaah has chosen for mankind is not subdivided into different sects nor 
does it divert into different paths. However, a number of people have gone astray and 
corrupted the religion, forming many different groups that bear no relation to Islam, 
examples of which are Al-Baatiniya,, Al-Qadyaninya, and the Bahaa’iya, among which 
Allaah the Most Exalted and Glorious has warned us in the Holy Qur’aan:
" And verily this (i.e. Allah’s commandments mentioned in the previous two verses 151 
and 152) is my straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will 
separate you from His path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al- 
Muttaqoon ( the pious-see V2:2) " Verse # 153, Surat Al An’aam.
As for the second part of the question, the noble inquirer must know that Islam came 
down from the heavens in the form of divine revelations and inspirations to the Prophet 
 (peace be upon him). Islam is the religion that Allaah has accepted for his 
worshippers, and has chosen it to mark the final completion of all that preceded it and 
thus supercede and be the seal for all religions. Therefore, it is not possible to say that 
Islam was influenced by other religions (as it was revealed by God, Allaah, the 
Almighty). 
We hope that you will read more about this religion and we ask Allaah to guide you to 
the True Path.