Part 7
Author: Ahmed Shakib
Among the numerous major sins committed by the Khawārij, the following stand out as particularly grievous and indicative of their deviation from the teachings of Islam:
17. Takfīr of Muslims (Declaring Muslims to Be Disbelievers)
Takfīr refers to pronouncing a Muslim as a disbeliever without a legitimate and substantiated Islamic basis. This is an extraordinarily dangerous and grave transgression in the Shariah.
The Messenger of Allah PBUH said:
“If a man says to his brother, ‘You are a disbeliever,’ then surely one of them is such.”
— [Bukhārī, 6104]
This means that if the accused is not, in fact, a disbeliever, then the burden of that accusation returns upon the one who made it.
Historically, the Khawārij were the first sect in Islam to introduce this reckless practice of takfīr against fellow Muslims. They declared ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (may Allah ennoble his face), his followers, and even many noble Companions (Ṣaḥābah) as disbelievers.
The Prophet PBUH warned about such a deviant group, saying:
“They will kill the people of Islam and leave the idol-worshippers.”
— [Bukhārī, 6930]
This hadith is clear proof that the Khawārij deemed Muslims as disbelievers and legitimized the shedding of their blood, while sparing the actual enemies of Islam.
18. Mutilation of the Dead (Al-Tamthīl: Desecration of Corpses)
Islam upholds the sanctity of the human body, both in life and after death. The Prophet PBUH strictly forbade the mutilation of the dead, saying:
“Do not mutilate [the bodies].”
— [Musnad Aḥmad]
In another narration:
“Verily, the Prophet PBUH prohibited mutilation.”
— [Bukhārī, 3015]
This prohibition includes cutting off ears, noses, limbs, or any form of disrespect to the deceased.
Despite this clear injunction, the Khawārij not only killed Muslims unjustly but also desecrated their bodies. After the Battle of Nahrawān, they mutilated the corpses of the martyrs from the army of Hazrat ʿAlī (RA). They claimed to do so out of religious severity, but in reality, it was a form of brutality and a blatant violation of Islamic law.
19. Theft of Zakah and Charitable Wealth of Muslims
Allah Almighty has decreed:
“Zakah is only for the poor and the needy…”
— [Surah al-Tawbah, 9:60]
The Messenger of Allah PBUH also stated:
“Whoever deceives us is not one of us.”
— [Muslim]
Contrary to this divine guidance, the Khawārij would declare any Muslim who opposed their ideology as a disbeliever. Consequently, they considered the property, zakah, charity, and even the women and children of such individuals as spoils of war (ghanimah), thereby deeming it lawful to seize them. This behavior constituted outright treachery and oppression, entirely inconsistent with the ethical and legal framework of Islam.
Conclusion
The Khawārij were a fanatical and misguided sect that broke away from the spirit and guidance of the Qur’an and Sunnah. Their methodology was marked by extremism, irrationality, and brutality. They would brand anyone who differed from their views as a disbeliever, permit their killing, and seize their wealth. Among their hallmark traits were three egregious sins: reckless takfīr, desecration of the dead, and betrayal through theft of rightful charitable wealth.
