Author: Asad Ghorzang
The Haruriyyah faction of the Khawarij operated in the vicinity of Mosul during the reign of the Umayyad Caliph, Umar ibn Abdul Aziz (may Allah have mercy on him). This group was a remnant of the Khawarij sect, that had separated from Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) following the Battle of Siffin.
They were known for their strict beliefs and distinctive ideologies, often criticizing Muslims and rulers, particularly those they deemed sinful or disobedient as per their own criteria.
The Haruriyyah faction adopted a strict stance on justice and openly antagonized the prevailing governments of that period. They remained uncompromising in their extremism, even towards the devout and just Caliph Umar ibn Abdul Aziz, hailing from the lineage of Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), known as the “Second Umar.”
He is regarded as the fifth rightly guided Caliph in Islamic history, as his reign resembled the caliphates of the four rightly guided Caliphs.
During his reign, Umar ibn Abdul Aziz was unwaveringly dedicated to justice and equity, vehemently opposed oppression, and wholeheartedly championed the rights of the people.
He implemented numerous reforms, including enhancing the conduct of state officials, reducing taxes, and ensuring equality amongst all individuals. He allocated a significant portion of the public treasury (Bayt al-Mal) for the welfare of the populace and diligently endeavored to fulfill the needs of every citizen.
Historical accounts suggest that under his leadership, prosperity flourished to the extent that there were no longer individuals necessitating zakat support. Nevertheless, the Khawarij still considered his caliphate weak in terms of their interpretation of Islam and created obstacles based on their misguided beliefs.
They would harass travelers and innocent Muslims on the roads around Mosul and would unjustly shed blood. After much effort, Umar ibn Abdul Aziz persuaded them to engage in a debate.
When they gathered for the debate, Umar ibn Abdul Aziz rendered them speechless in every argument. He then made them take an oath not to endanger people on the roads or shed blood unjustly, warning that breaking this pledge would be considered a declaration of war.
However, upon leaving, they immediately broke their oath and resumed their acts of violence.
In response, Umar ibn Abdul Aziz sent a group of mujahideen under the leadership of Sa’id ibn Joshi from Kufa. They fought fiercely to suppress the Khawarij’s rebellion and security threats, ultimately restoring stability and peace in the region.
One significant aspect of this event is that Umar ibn Abdul Aziz’s primary approach was to avoid war and seek peaceful solutions, but when necessary, he allowed his governors to take appropriate measures to uphold law and security.
In conclusion:
Some historians have listed the prominent leaders of the Haruriyyah Khawarij as follows:
1. Shabib ibn Yazid al-Shaybani: Shabib was a prominent Khawarij leader who operated in Iraq and Syria. He was considered a courageous and influential leader in the Khawarij movement and caused challenges for government forces in various areas.
2. Abdullah ibin Ibad: Abdullah ibin Ibad was another significant Khawarij leader and is considered the founder of the Ibadi sect.
3. Qatari ibn al-Fuja’a: Qatari was another leader associated with the Khawarij faction. He inspired the Khawarij through his speeches and poetry on the battlefield and played a vital role in promoting their ideology.
