Written by: Mawlawi Ahmad Ali
Part 2
The ISIS-Khawarij, similar to their predecessors, hold extreme views that label all jihadi movements and factions of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jama’ah – including the Islamic Emirate, Al-Qaeda, Jabhat al-Nusra, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, and others – as apostates (takfiris), justifying the shedding of their blood as permissible (mubah al-dam).
They consistently disseminate negative propaganda against these groups. Most recently, in the 39th edition of the “Voice of Khurasan” magazine, they have accused the Islamic Emirate of maintaining covert relations with the United States and Israel, and have encouraged Kashmiris to initiate jihad against Pakistan and India.
By exploiting the name of jihad, they undermine the ranks and fronts of legitimate jihadist movements. From a theological standpoint, they stray from the moderate path of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah. Furthermore, their military policies, strategies, and methods are in contradiction to the ways of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the early righteous predecessors (Salaf).
It is essential to recognize that the rules during times of weakness differ from those during times of strength. Declaring war against everyone, everywhere, all at once, especially in times of weakness, contradicts the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not engage in battles with every enemy at once or open multiple fronts simultaneously. Instead, he focused on prioritizing the most important issues (al-ahamm fal-ahamm). Due to the Muslims’ weakness, they could not bear the burden of multiple battles. Moreover, engaging in multiple fronts would benefit their main enemy at the time, the Quraysh.
Therefore, the Muslims of Madinah prioritized negotiations, treaties, and non-engagement in battles with other powers in the vicinity. During the Battle of the Confederates (Ahzab), the Prophet (peace be upon him) even negotiated with the tribe of Ghatafan, offering them one-third of Madinah’s produce to withdraw from the Quraysh’s alliance, as he feared that the Muslims would not be able to withstand such a large, united enemy.
Islam is a natural religion, and in the sight of Allah (SWT), it offers the most optimal way of living and a meticulously structured framework for humanity. It offers a comprehensive system of laws and methods for managing conflicts, treaties, peace agreements, and interactions with various nations, religions, and powers throughout different times.
The Kharijites, as described by the Prophet (peace be upon him), are known as “sufaha’ al-ahlam” — meaning foolish-minded — and are lacking in religious understanding. They perceive themselves as highly pious and knowledgeable in religion, but they harbour ill thoughts toward the best of the Ummah. Their leader, the founder of their sect, even doubted the piety and knowledge of the Prophet (peace be upon him), saying to him, “Be just, O Muhammad.”
They, due to their foolishness, engage in such actions and activities, thinking that they are doing good deeds, believing that they are benefiting Islam and Muslims. However, in reality, they are causing irreparable harm to Islam and Muslims. For this reason, when commentators interpret this noble verse (الَّذِينَ ضَلَّ سَعْيُهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ يُحْسِنُونَ صُنْعًا), they mention various interpretations. But it has been reported from Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: the intent of this verse is the Khawarij, as mentioned by Imam Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him), who stated: “Ali said: They are the Khawarij.”
Ibn Atiyyah also confirms this in his Tafsir:
“وقال علي بن أبي طالب هم الخوارج”
Translation:
“Ali ibn Abi Talib said, ‘They are the Kharijites.'”
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal commented that the Kharijites are the worst people and that there are no more evil people on earth than them, as reported by Shaikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah in the “Majmu‘ al-Fatawa” (vol. 19, p. 72):
“الخوارج قوم سوء، لا أعلم في الأرض قوماً شرًّا منهم”
Translation:
“The Kharijites are an evil people; I do not know of any worse people on earth than them.”
Hafiz Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
“و شرهم علی المسلمین یفوق شرور الکفار”
Translation:
“Their harm to Muslims surpasses that of the disbelievers.”
Hafiz Ibn Hajar says:
“الخوارج شر الفرق المبتدعة من الأمة المحمدیة و من الیهود و النصاري”
Translation:
“The Kharijites are the worst of the heretical groups in the Muslim Ummah, worse than the Jews and Christians.”
Hafiz narrated from Ibn Hubayra:
(أن قتال الخوارج أولی من قتال المشرکین، والحکمة فیه أن في قتالهم حفظ رأس مال الاسلام، و في قتال أهل الشرک طلب الربح، و حفظ رأس المال أولي)
Translation:
“Fighting the Kharijites is more important than fighting polytheists, as the wisdom behind it lies in preserving the foundation of Islam. Fighting the polytheists is for profit, but preserving the foundation of Islam takes precedence.”
Hafiz Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him), in the book “Minhaj al-Sunnah al-Nabawiyyah” (vol. 5, p. 243), while discussing the Khawarij, states:
وَقَدِ اتَّفَقَ الصَّحَابَةُ وَالْعُلَمَاءُ بَعْدَهُمْ عَلَى قِتَالِ هَؤُلَاءِ ; فَإِنَّهُمْ بُغَاةٌ عَلَى جَمِيعِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ، سِوَى مَنْ وَافَقَهُمْ عَلَى مَذْهَبِهِمْ، وَهُمْ يَبْدَءُونَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ بِالْقِتَالِ، وَلَا يَنْدَفِعُ شَرُّهُمْ إِلَّا بِالْقِتَالِ، فَكَانُوا أَضَرَّ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِينَ مِنْ قُطَّاعِ الطَّرِيقِ. فَإِنَّ أُولَئِكَ إِنَّمَا مَقْصُودُهُمُ الْمَالُ، (فَلَوْ أُعْطُوهُ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوا، وَإِنَّمَا يَتَعَرَّضُونَ لِبَعْضِ النَّاسِ) وَهَؤُلَاءِ يُقَاتِلُونَ النَّاسَ عَلَى الدِّينِ حَتَّى يَرْجِعُوا عَمَّا ثَبَتَ. بِالْكِتَابِ وَالسُّنَّةِ وَإِجْمَاعِ الصَّحَابَةِ إِلَى مَا ابْتَدَعَهُ هَؤُلَاءِ بِتَأْوِيلِهِمُ الْبَاطِلِ وَفَهْمِهِمُ الْفَاسِدِ لِلْقُرْآنِ.
Translation:
The Companions and the scholars after them agreed on the need to fight the Kharijites, as they rebelled against all Muslims, except those who joined their sect. They initiated fighting against the Muslims, and their harm can only be repelled through fighting. They are more dangerous to the Muslims than highway robbers. Highway robbers seek wealth—if given, they stop fighting, and they only target some people. However, the Kharijites fight people over religion, trying to make them abandon what is established by the Qur’an, Sunnah, and to adopt the innovations they have introduced with their false interpretations and corrupt understanding of the Qur’an.”
They are such evil people that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If I find them, I will kill them as the people of ‘Aad were killed.” In another narration, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The one who kills them or is killed by them is successful.”
To be continued…
