Part 9
By Ahmed Shakib
Among the major sins in which the Khawārij are deeply entangled, the following are particularly noteworthy:
23. Disparaging the Sunnah and the People of Sunnah
This refers to speaking ill of, or rejecting, the Sunnah, the Hadith, and the followers of Ahl al-Sunnah.
The Sunnah is the second foundational source of Islam, and Ahl al-Sunnah are those who faithfully follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). Whoever disparages the Sunnah or its adherents, in reality, rejecting the very foundations of Islam.
Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an:
“And whatever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatever he forbids you, abstain from it.” (Al-Hashr: 7)
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
“You must follow my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Caliphs after me. Hold on to it firmly with your molar teeth.” (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)
In another narration, the Prophet (PBUH) said:
“The People of Sunnah are those who follow my way and the way of my Companions.”
Yet the Khawārij deny the Sunnah and those who uphold it. They belittle the Companions, such as ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (RA), and give no value to the Sunnah. They kill scholars and mujahidin who adhere to the path of the Companions. They cling only to the literal wording of the Qur’an while rejecting the Prophet’s explanations and authentic Sunnah.
24. Imitating Women
This refers to men resembling women in their clothing, speech, movements, or habits.
Such behavior is forbidden as it goes against the natural disposition (fiṭrah). The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
“Allah has cursed the men who imitate women, and the women who imitate men.” (Bukhari)
Imam Ibn Kathīr al-Dimashqī (may Allah have mercy on him) observed:
“Along with their extremism and takfīr, the Khawārij are also guilty of corrupt practices, among them making themselves resemble women in clothing, voice, and movements, and living unnaturally under the guise of extreme asceticism.”
25. Deception and Falsehood
This includes concealing the truth, lying, or deceiving people in the name of religion.
Deception is a major sin, for it leads people away from the truth and spreads corruption. Allah Almighty says:
“And do not mix truth with falsehood, nor conceal the truth while you know it.” (Al-Baqarah: 42)
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
“Whoever deceives is not from us.” (Muslim)
The Khawārij deceive people under the pretense of piety, justice, and establishing a caliphate. Outwardly, they present themselves as devout, but inwardly their hearts are filled with hatred, takfīr, and corruption. They even kill in the name of religion, betraying the very principles they claim to uphold.
