Kharijites (Arabic Khawārij خوارج, literally "Those who Went Out"[1]; singular, Khariji) is a general term embracing various Muslims who, while initially supporting the caliphate of the fourth and final "Rightly Guided" caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib, later rejected him. They first emerged in the late 7th century AD, concentrated in today's southern Iraq, and are distinct from the Sunnis and Shites.
Whereas the Shiites believed that the imamate (leadership) was the sole right of the house of Ali,the Kharijites insisted that any pious and able Muslim could be a leader of the Muslim community. And whereas the Sunnis believed that the imam's impiousness did not, by itself, justify sedition, the Kharijites insisted on the right to revolt against any ruler who deviated from the example of the Prophet Muhammad and the first two caliphs, Abu Bakr and Umar. From this essentially political position, the Kharijites developed a variety of theological and legal doctrines that further set them apart from both Sunni and Shiite Muslims.
Kharijites were also known historically as the Shurat (Ar:الشُراة), literally meaning "the buyers" and understood within the context of Islamic scripture and philosophy to mean "those who have traded the mortal life (aldunya) for the other life [with God] (alakhera), which, unlike the term "Kharijite", was one that many Kharijites used to describe themselves. The only surviving group, the Ibāḍī of Oman, Zanzibar and North Africa, reject the "Kharijite" appellation and refer to themselves as ahl al-'adl wal istiqama (أهل العدل و الاستقامة) ("people of justice and uprightness"). One of the early Kharijite groups was the Harūriyya; it was notable for many reasons, among which was its ruling on the permissibility of women Imāms and that a Harūrī, Abd-al-Rahman ibn Muljam, was the assassin of ‘Alī.
Whereas the Shiites believed that the imamate (leadership) was the sole right of the house of Ali,the Kharijites insisted that any pious and able Muslim could be a leader of the Muslim community. And whereas the Sunnis believed that the imam's impiousness did not, by itself, justify sedition, the Kharijites insisted on the right to revolt against any ruler who deviated from the example of the Prophet Muhammad and the first two caliphs, Abu Bakr and Umar. From this essentially political position, the Kharijites developed a variety of theological and legal doctrines that further set them apart from both Sunni and Shiite Muslims.
Kharijites were also known historically as the Shurat (Ar:الشُراة), literally meaning "the buyers" and understood within the context of Islamic scripture and philosophy to mean "those who have traded the mortal life (aldunya) for the other life [with God] (alakhera), which, unlike the term "Kharijite", was one that many Kharijites used to describe themselves. The only surviving group, the Ibāḍī of Oman, Zanzibar and North Africa, reject the "Kharijite" appellation and refer to themselves as ahl al-'adl wal istiqama (أهل العدل و الاستقامة) ("people of justice and uprightness"). One of the early Kharijite groups was the Harūriyya; it was notable for many reasons, among which was its ruling on the permissibility of women Imāms and that a Harūrī, Abd-al-Rahman ibn Muljam, was the assassin of ‘Alī.
Other narrations regarding the Khawarij state that the Prophet SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam said: There would arise in this nation a people and you would hold insignificant your prayers as compared with their prayers. And they would recite the Qur'an which would not go beyond their throats and would swerve through the Deen (as blank) just as an (swift) arrow passes through the prey. The archer looks at his arrow, at its iron head and glances at its end (which he held) in the tip of his fingers to see whether it had any stain of blood.
[Sahih Muslim: Book 005, Number 2322]
[Sahih Muslim: Book 005, Number 2322]
The Messenger of Allah (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam) said: Leave him, for he has friends that everyone among you would consider his prayer insignificant as compared with their prayer, and his fast as compared with their fasts. They would recite the Qur'an but it would not go beyond their collarbones. They would pass through (the teachings of Islam so hurriedly) just as the arrow passes through the prey. He would look at its Iron head, but would not find anything ticking) there. He would then see at the lowest end, but would not find anything sticking there. He would then see at its grip but would not find anything sticking to it. He would then see at its feathers and he would find nothing sticking to them (as the arrow would pass so quickly that nothing would stick to it) neither excrement nor blood. They would be recognized by the presence of a black man among them whose upper arms would be like a woman's breast, or like a piece of meat as it quivers, and they would com! e forth at the time when there is dissension among the people. Abu Sa'id said: I testify to the fact that I heard it from the Messenger of Allah (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam), and I testify to the fact that 'Ali b. Abu Talib fought against them and I was with him. He gave orders about that man who was sought for, and when he was brought in, and when I looked at him, he was exactly as the Messenger of Allah (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam) had described him.
[Sahih Muslim: Book 005, Number 2323]
'Ali said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam) as saying: There would arise at the end of the age a people who would be young in age and immature in thought, but they would talk (in such a manner) as if their words are the best among the creatures. They would recite the Qur'an, but it would not go beyond their throats, and they would pass through the Deen as an arrow goes through the prey. So when you meet them, kill them, for in their killing you would get a reward with Allah on the Day of Judgment.
[Sahih Muslim: Book 005, Number 2328]
Ali (Allah be pleased with him) said: 0 people, I heard the Messenger of Allah (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam) say: There would arise from my Ummah a people who would recite the Qur'an, and your recital would seem insignificant as compared with their recital, your prayer as compared with their prayer, arid your fast, as compared with their fast. They would recite the Qur'an thinking that it supports them, whereas it is evidence against them. Their prayer does not get beyond their collarbone; they would swerve through Islam just as the arrow passes through the prey. If the squadron which is to encounter them were to know (what great boon) has been assured to them by their Messenger (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam) they would completely rely upon this deed (alone and cease to do other good deeds), and their (that of the Khawarij) distinctive mark is that there would be (among them) a person whose wrist would be without the arm, and the end of his wrist would be fleshy like the! nipple of the breast on which there would be white hair. You would be marching towards Muawiya and the people of Syria and you would leave them behind among your children and your property (to do harm). By Allah, I believe that these are the people (against whom you have been commanded to fight and get reward) for they have shed forbidden blood, and raided the animals of the people. So go forth in the name of Allah (to fight against them). Salama b. Kuhail mentioned that Zaid b. Wahb made me alight at every stage, till we crossed a bridge. 'Abdullah b. Wahb al-Rasibi was at the head of the Khawarij when we encountered them. He ('Abdullah) said to his army: Throw the spears and draw out your swords from their sheaths, for I fear that they would attack you as they attacked you on the day of Harura. They went back and threw their spears and drew out their swords, and people fought against them with spears and they were killed one after another. Only two persons were killed among the ! people (among the army led by Hadrat 'Ali) on that day. 'Ali (Allah be pleased with him) said: Find out from among them (the dead bodies of the Khawarij) (the maimed). They searched but did not find him. 'Ali (Allah be pleased with him) then himself stood up and (walked) till he came to the people who had been killed one after another. He ('Ali) said: Search them to the last, and then ('Ali's companions) found him (the dead body of the maimed) near the earth. He (Hadrat 'Ali) then pronounced Allah-O-Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) and then said, Allah told the Truth and His Messenger (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam) conveyed it. Then there stood before him 'Abida Salmani who said: Commander of the Believers, by Allah, besides whom there is no god but He, (tell me) whether you heard this hadith from the Messenger of Allah (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam). He said: Yes, by Allah, besides whom there is no god but He. He asked him to take an oath thrice and he took the oath.
[Sahih Muslim: Book 005, Number 2333]'Ali said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam) as saying: There would arise at the end of the age a people who would be young in age and immature in thought, but they would talk (in such a manner) as if their words are the best among the creatures. They would recite the Qur'an, but it would not go beyond their throats, and they would pass through the Deen as an arrow goes through the prey. So when you meet them, kill them, for in their killing you would get a reward with Allah on the Day of Judgment.
[Sahih Muslim: Book 005, Number 2328]
Ali (Allah be pleased with him) said: 0 people, I heard the Messenger of Allah (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam) say: There would arise from my Ummah a people who would recite the Qur'an, and your recital would seem insignificant as compared with their recital, your prayer as compared with their prayer, arid your fast, as compared with their fast. They would recite the Qur'an thinking that it supports them, whereas it is evidence against them. Their prayer does not get beyond their collarbone; they would swerve through Islam just as the arrow passes through the prey. If the squadron which is to encounter them were to know (what great boon) has been assured to them by their Messenger (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam) they would completely rely upon this deed (alone and cease to do other good deeds), and their (that of the Khawarij) distinctive mark is that there would be (among them) a person whose wrist would be without the arm, and the end of his wrist would be fleshy like the! nipple of the breast on which there would be white hair. You would be marching towards Muawiya and the people of Syria and you would leave them behind among your children and your property (to do harm). By Allah, I believe that these are the people (against whom you have been commanded to fight and get reward) for they have shed forbidden blood, and raided the animals of the people. So go forth in the name of Allah (to fight against them). Salama b. Kuhail mentioned that Zaid b. Wahb made me alight at every stage, till we crossed a bridge. 'Abdullah b. Wahb al-Rasibi was at the head of the Khawarij when we encountered them. He ('Abdullah) said to his army: Throw the spears and draw out your swords from their sheaths, for I fear that they would attack you as they attacked you on the day of Harura. They went back and threw their spears and drew out their swords, and people fought against them with spears and they were killed one after another. Only two persons were killed among the ! people (among the army led by Hadrat 'Ali) on that day. 'Ali (Allah be pleased with him) said: Find out from among them (the dead bodies of the Khawarij) (the maimed). They searched but did not find him. 'Ali (Allah be pleased with him) then himself stood up and (walked) till he came to the people who had been killed one after another. He ('Ali) said: Search them to the last, and then ('Ali's companions) found him (the dead body of the maimed) near the earth. He (Hadrat 'Ali) then pronounced Allah-O-Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) and then said, Allah told the Truth and His Messenger (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam) conveyed it. Then there stood before him 'Abida Salmani who said: Commander of the Believers, by Allah, besides whom there is no god but He, (tell me) whether you heard this hadith from the Messenger of Allah (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam). He said: Yes, by Allah, besides whom there is no god but He. He asked him to take an oath thrice and he took the oath.
A person among the people then sought permission
(from the Holy Prophet) for his murder. According to some, it was Khalid
b. Walid who sought the permission. Upon this the Messenger of Allah
(SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam), said: From this very person's posterity
there would arise people who would recite the Qur'an, but it would not
go beyond their throat; they would kill the followers of Islam and would
spare the idol-worshippers. They would glance through the teachings of
Islam so hurriedly just as the arrow passes through the pray. If I were
to ever find them I would kill them like 'Ad.
[Sahih Muslim: Book 005, Number 2318]
Another narration explains the event:
Upon this he (the Holy Prophet) said: There would
arise a people from the progeny of this (man) who would recite the
Qur'an glibly, but it would not go beyond their throats; they would
(hurriedly) pass through (the teachings of their) Deen just as the arrow
passes through the prey. I conceive that he (the Holy Prophet) also said
this: If I find them I would certainly kill them as were killed the
(people of) Thamud.
[Sahih Muslim: Book 005, Number 2319]
When Amir al-mu'minin heard the cry of Kharijites that "Verdict is only that of Allah" he said:
The sentence is right but what (they think) it means, is wrong. It is
true that verdict lies but with Allah, but these people say that (the
function of) governance is only for Allah. The fact is that there is no
escape for men from ruler good or bad. The faithful persons perform
(good) acts in his rule while the unfaithful enjoys (worldly) benefits
in it. During the rule, Allah would carry everything to end. Through
the ruler tax is collected, enemy is fought, roadways are protected and
the right of the weak is taken from the strong till the virtuous enjoys
peace and allowed protection from (the oppression of) the wicked.
When Amir al-mu'minin was told that the Kharijites had been totally killed, he said:
By Allah, no, not yet. They still exist in the loins of men and wombs of women. Whenever a chief would appear from among them, he would be cut down till the last of them would turn thieves and robbers. [1]
The sentence is right but what (they think) it means, is wrong. It is
true that verdict lies but with Allah, but these people say that (the
function of) governance is only for Allah. The fact is that there is no
escape for men from ruler good or bad. The faithful persons perform
(good) acts in his rule while the unfaithful enjoys (worldly) benefits
in it. During the rule, Allah would carry everything to end. Through
the ruler tax is collected, enemy is fought, roadways are protected and
the right of the weak is taken from the strong till the virtuous enjoys
peace and allowed protection from (the oppression of) the wicked.
When Amir al-mu'minin was told that the Kharijites had been totally killed, he said:
By Allah, no, not yet. They still exist in the loins of men and wombs of women. Whenever a chief would appear from among them, he would be cut down till the last of them would turn thieves and robbers. [1]
Lets sum up all the hadiths:
They would recite the Quran but it won't go down their throats.
They will exit the Deen like an arrow does from the prey.
Their Salat and fasting would seem better then others.
They would talk (in such a manner) as if their words are the best among the creatures.
They would have shaven heads.
They will appear from the east.
Amongst the Khawarij there would be a black man whose shoulder will be like that of a woman's breast.
The Khawarij raised this slogan, There is no command but that of Allah, which was correct but used for a wrong cause.
Ali (may Allah be pleased be with them) fought the Khawarij and killed them.
Killing the Khawarij would be rewarded on the day of judgment.
Abdullah b. Wahb al-Rasibi was at the head of the Khawarij when they fought the Muslimeen.
The Khawarij would emerge when the there is dissension amongst the Muslimeen.
What admonition do we receive from all of this?
That we shouldn't try to be more pious then our Prophet SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam, we should have blind faith on him, that no matter how pious someone might seem we should only take proof from Quran and Sunnah, and that mere raising of correct slogans doesn't mean someone is on the right path.articles:
http://www.aljamaat.org/islam/articles/a35.htm
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