Authored by: Farooq Khorasani
The stance of Muslims towards the Khawarij is well-documented in Islamic history and Shariah. The Khawarij were a group that strayed from the true teachings of Islam, spreading extremism.
Islamic teachings denounce the Khawarij for their violence and radicalism, seeing their actions as contrary to Islamic values.
It is highly improbable that the Khawarij would embrace Islam’s true teachings because their fundamental beliefs and thought processes were significantly divergent from core Islamic guidance. They held extreme, rigid, and militant views, opting for violence and severity in their actions, which led to the loss of innocent lives.
Throughout Islamic history, Muslims have endeavored to present the Khawarij with moderate and accurate interpretations of Islam; however, the majority of their followers rejected these teachings.
The Khawarij’s ideology was so entrenched that they considered themselves superior to other Muslims and believed themselves to be on the right path. They labeled anyone who disagreed with them as outside the realm of Islam.
In response to their extremist stance and physical presence, a Muslim is obligated to take the following steps within the parameters of Shariah:
1. Advocating for the Path of Truth:
Muslims are duty-bound to invite the Khawarij to the genuine teachings of Islam and a moderate standpoint with kindness and wisdom. If Allah wills and they are convinced through knowledge and rational discourse, this would be the optimal resolution.
2. Endeavoring to Prevent Violence:
Despite the extremism of the Khawarij and their advocacy of violence, Islam prohibits unnecessary aggression. Thus, the initial approach should be to guide them towards the truth through peaceful methods.
3. Employing Force as a Last Resort:
This course of action should be pursued if the Khawarij resort to violence and pose a threat to security, as is evident today in Afghanistan where a faction of them (ISIS) has strayed from the truth and unjustly takes the lives of Muslims.
In such circumstances, it becomes the responsibility of every Muslim and the security apparatus of the Islamic system to combat this discord (fitna) to safeguard the security, stability, and unity of Muslims and the Islamic system.
The period of Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) serves as an example in this regard. When the Khawarij caused strife and initiated conflict, Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) took military action against them.
The extremist ideologies of the Khawarij foster intolerance, animosity, and radicalism rather than Islamic ethics and balanced reasoning. If this ideology spreads within society, individuals may deviate from the true essence of the religion and gravitate towards extremism.
Hence, it can be asserted that if the Khawarij remain unchecked, they could inflict substantial harm upon the religious, societal, and intellectual fabric of the Muslim Ummah. Consequently, throughout Islamic history, significant measures have been undertaken to counter the Khawarij in order to safeguard the unity, security, and progress of the Ummah.
