Part 6
Written by: Rashid Shafiq
The Beliefs of the Ibāḍiyyah/Ibadis:
It is natural for this group, like others, to deviate from the correct creed in certain matters, as they have strayed from the path of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamāʿah and have inclined towards distortion. Nevertheless, they may also uphold certain correct views in jurisprudential matters, just as they possess both correct and incorrect opinions in doctrinal issues.
In the previous section, we examined the Ibadis and determined that they are a theological offshoot of the Khawārij. Now, we will briefly explain their beliefs—where they align with the truth and where they have deviated from it.
1. Regarding the Attributes of Allah
The Ibadis are divided into two groups on this issue:
The First Group: They completely reject Allah’s attributes to avoid any resemblance (tashbīh) to His creation.
The Second Group: They consider Allah’s attributes to be identical to His essence, affirming that He is, by His very essence, All-Knowing, All-Powerful, and All-Hearing. However, they do not affirm specific attributes such as Yad (Hand), Samāʿ (Hearing), and others, as they believe this would imply anthropomorphism.
This view essentially denies Allah’s attributes, but they frame it in a way to avoid any resemblance between Him and His creation. The renowned Ibāḍī scholar, Al-Warjalānī, strongly opposed those who affirmed Allah’s attributes, equating them with idolaters.
2. Denial of Seeing Allah
The Ibadis believe that Allah cannot be seen, as they consider it rationally impossible. They support this belief by citing the following Quranic verse:
“لَا تُدْرِكُهُ الْأَبْصَارُ وَهُوَ يُدْرِكُ الْأَبْصَارَ” (الأنعام: 103)
“No vision can grasp Him, but He grasps all vision.” (Al-An‘ām 6:103)
They interpret this verse in the same way as the Mu‘tazilah. Additionally, they cite:
“قَالَ رَبِّ أَرِنِي أَنظُرْ إِلَيْكَ قَالَ لَن تَرَانِي وَلَكِنِ انظُرْ إِلَى الْجَبَلِ فَإِنِ اسْتَقَرَّ مَكَانَهُ فَسَوْفَ تَرَانِي” (الأعراف: 143)
“Moses said, ‘My Lord, show Yourself to me so I may look at You.’ Allah said, ‘You will not see Me, but look at the mountain; if it remains in its place, then you will see Me.'” (Al-A‘rāf 7:143)
However, the truth is that these arguments are incorrect since:
The verse “No vision can grasp Him” does not negate the potential of seeing Allah but rather signifies that humans cannot fully comprehend Him.
The verse “You will not see Me” refers to the worldly life, and Allah conditioned the possibility of seeing Him upon the stability of the mountain, which itself indicates the possibility of seeing Him.
3. The Createdness of the Qur’an
Certain Ibāḍī scholars, such as Ibn Jamīʿ and Al-Warjalānī, have issued a fatwa asserting that anyone who denies the createdness of the Quran does not align with the Ibadi sect. Conversely, Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamāʿah maintain that the Qur’an is the speech of Allah and not created, as affirmed by Imam Ahmad ibn Ḥanbal. Some Ibāḍī scholars, such as Abū al-Naḍr al-‘Amanī and the author of Bayān al-Adyān, rejected the doctrine of the Qur’an’s createdness.
4. Predestination (Al-Qadr)
The Ibadis align with Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamāʿah on the issue of predestination (Qadr).
5. Punishment in the Grave
The Ibadis differ on this issue:
Some deny the punishment in the grave, similar to other Khawārij sects.
Others affirm it.
However, Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamāʿah hold that the punishment in the grave is a reality, supported by clear evidence from the Qur’an and Hadith.
6. Belief in Paradise, Hell, Ḥawḍ al-Kawthar, and Angels
The Ibadis believe that Paradise and Hell already exist, affirm the presence of Ḥawḍ al-Kawthar (Prophet Muhammad’s Pond) on the Day of Judgment, and have faith in angels and the revealed books.
7. Intercession (Shafā‘ah)
The Ibadis believe in intercession (shafā‘ah), but only for the pious (muttaqūn), not for sinful believers.
However, Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamāʿah hold that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) will intercede for all believers—either to prevent them from entering Hell or to bring them out of it if they have already entered.
8. The Scale (Mīzān) on the Day of Judgment
The Ibadis reject the concept of a physical weighing scale (Mīzān) on the Day of Judgment, which, according to Islamic teachings, will be used to weigh people’s deeds. Instead, they believe that Allah will distinguish between people’s intentions and actions without the need for an actual balance.
This belief contradicts the Qur’an and Hadith, which affirm the existence of the Mīzān as a real entity.
9. Taqiyyah (Dissimulation)
Unlike other Khawārij sects, the Ibadis consider Taqiyyah to be permissible.