Part 3
By Ehsan
Quranic Verses About the Khawarij and Similar Groups
There is no verse in the Holy Quran that explicitly mentions the Khawarij by name. However, many of Islam’s greatest scholars of Quranic exegesis hold that certain verses, because of the circumstances of their revelation and the breadth of their meaning, also apply to the Khawarij and similar groups throughout history. Among them is this verse from Surah Aal ‘Imran:
﴿وَلَا تَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ تَفَرَّقُوا وَاخْتَلَفُوا مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ﴾
“And do not be like the ones who became divided and differed after the clear proofs had come to them.”
(Surah Aal ‘Imran 3:105)
According to the Scholars of Tafsir, this verse warns the Muslim Ummah to guard itself against division and separation from the main body of the Muslim Ummah. This was the path taken by the Khawarij, and later by Daesh and similar groups, which dragged the Ummah into division, discord, and bloodshed through baseless declarations of takfir. The clearest and most important source for identifying the Khawarij and recognizing their characteristics, however, is the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). In numerous authentic narrations recorded in respected collections such as Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) described this deviant group with remarkable clarity.
These Prophetic warnings were given before the Khawarij had even appeared. Later, they became one of the principal foundations upon which Muslim jurists based their rulings in condemning the Khawarij and every group throughout history that followed their path.
Among the most well-known narrations is the statement of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):
«یَخرُجُ قَومٌ فِي آخِرِ الزَّمانِ، أَحداثُ الأسنانِ، سُفَهاءُ الأحلامِ، يَقرَؤونَ القُرآنَ لا يُجاوِزُ حُلوقَهُم، يَمرُقونَ مِنَ الدِّينِ كَما يَمرُقُ السَّهمُ مِنَ الرَّمِيَّةِ.»
“There would arise at the end of the age a people who would be young in age and immature in thought. They would recite the Quran, but it would not go beyond their throats, and they would pass through the religion as an arrow goes through the prey.”
This hadith reveals several defining characteristics of the Khawarij and those who follow their path, such as Daesh.
First, they recite the Holy Quran but fail to grasp its true meanings. The Quran remains only on their tongues and leaves no effect upon their hearts or their actions.
Second, they are inexperienced and immature young men who, without sufficient knowledge or sound understanding of Islam, rush into reckless judgments and actions.
Third, although they portray themselves as deeply religious, they have in reality departed from the religion and bear no resemblance to true Islam.
In another narration, the Prophet (PBUH) described the Khawarij as “the worst of Allah’s creation” and said:
“They recite the Qur’an, but it does not go beyond their throats.”
These profound words make it clear that outward recitation of the Quran, if it is not accompanied by sincere faith and a correct understanding of the religion, is of no benefit. Rather, those who misuse the words of Allah Almighty become among the worst of people.
Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA), one of the greatest scholars among the Companions, said after meeting the Khawarij:
“I have never seen a people more devoted to worship than them. Their foreheads had become dark from constant prostration, and their hands were calloused like the knees of camels. Yet they are the worst of Allah’s creation.”
These words show that outward devotion, if it is not accompanied by a sound understanding of the religion and proper Islamic character, is not only without value but can lead a person even deeper into misguidance.
Daesh, which claims to be the true representative of Islam, in reality displays the very characteristics that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) described more than fourteen centuries ago. Most of its members are ignorant and inexperienced young men who, despite possessing only a little religious knowledge, imagine themselves to be the greatest scholars of their age. They recite the Quran, yet remain deprived of its proper understanding and its true objectives.
They perform acts of worship with extreme rigidity while at the same time believing it lawful to kill innocent women and children, destroy places of worship, and enslave captives. It is this very group whose fitnah the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) warned his Ummah against when he said:
“Wherever you find them, fight them, for killing them carries a great reward with Allah.”
