1

A Concise Introduction to the Khawaarij

Original Title: _.,i|, .|.}| _.| _. ...-|, ..i| _.| _.
Author: Dr. Ibrhm al-Ruayl
Translator: Harrison



A Concise Introduction to the Khawaarij
1



The word - | _ Khawrij is the plural form of the singular word, - . , Khrijah (from
the Arabic root verb: kharaja meaning to go out or leave)
2
. They are called that because
of their leaving the (fundamentals of the) religion and for their opposing the best Muslims
(the companions of the prophet ( ,.., ,.. &| _.. ).
3
And the first opposition and insurgency
from them occurred against the leader of the believers, Al Ibn Ab Tlib ( .. &| _. )
when the issue of who has the right to pass rulings was debated. The Khawrij gathered
at a place called Harr
4
near Kufa (in Iraq). There, Al ( .. &| _. ) fought fiercely with
them at a place called al-Nahrawn but only after advising and debating with them and
clearly establishing the evidences against them. In that battle, less than ten of the
Khawrij remained and less than ten Muslims were killed. After the Khawrijs defeat, two
of them fled to Oman, two to Karman (near Khorasan in Iran and Sijistn), two to
Sijistn (Seistan), two to the Arabian Peninsula, and one fled to Yemen.
5


The scholar al-Shahrastn said, The innovated beliefs and methods of the Khawrij
appeared in these places from them (the nine people who were defeated and fled) and
theyve remained ever since up until today.
6



1
Selected excerpts taken from the book: Mawqi Ahlis-Sunnah wal-Jamah min Ahl al-Aw wal-
Bida by Dr. Ibrhm Ar-Ruayl (pgs. 137-140).
2
The Khawrij are often called Kharijites in English. This label of theirs may be translated as
separatists, insurgents, rebels, nonconformist, etc. [Translators Note]
3
See Fat al-Br (vol. 12, pg. 283).
4
Harr was a village said to be about two miles outside of Kufa (in Iraq). The Khawrij are also
sometimes referred to as Hrriyyah because they chose that place to gather. See Mujam al-
Buldn from Yqoot Al-Hamaw (vol. 2, pg. 245).
5
See al-Milal wal-Nihal by al-Shahrastnee (vol. 1 pgs. 115-117) and al-Farq bayna al-Firaq by
al-Baghddee (pg. 75).
6
al-Milal wal-Nial by al-Shahrastn (vol. 1 pgs. 117).


2
The Khawrij are known by other (Arabic) names such as al-Hrriyyah, al-Shurh,
al-Mriqah, and al-Muakkimah. They dont mind these labels except for al-
Mriqah...
7

8


The Khawrij collectively agreed that both Uthmn and later Alee (the 3
rd
and 4
th
caliphs
of Islam) were in fact disbelievers as were the other companions...And they think
revolting against the leaders and governments is permissible.

They also believe that any major sin is an act of disbelief

Many authentic adth from the prophet ( ,.., ,.. &| _.. ) condemning them have come in
ten different forms of narration like what al-Khall narrated from Imam Ahmad that he
said, The Khawrij are wicked people, and I dont know of any people on earth more evil
than they. And he said, The prophets ( ,.., ,.. &| _.. ) adth about them are authentic
in ten different forms.
9


The famous scholar of Islam, Ibn Taymiyyah,
10
mentioned that Muslim recorded some of
them in his authentic collection as did al-Bukhr.
11


And the scholars unanimously agree to the permissibility to fight the Khawrij whenever
they begin challenging and revolting against the leader, opposing the mainstream
community of Muslims, and renouncing obedience but after theyve been warned. This
has been mentioned by al-Nawaw
12
and Ibn Taymiyyah.
13


As for considering the Khawrij to be disbelievers themselves, some scholars differ about
this. There are two different narrations from Ahmad about this, mentioned by Ibn

7
See Maqlt Al-Islmiyyn by al-Ashar (vol. 1, pgs. 206, 207).
8
al-Mriqah happens to be the name taken from the Hadeeth when the prophet ( ) described
them as those who maraqa or go through or pass in and out of the religion. [T.N.]
9
al-Sunnah by al-Khalal (vol. 1, 145, no. 110).
10
See Majm al-Fatw (vol. 3, pg. 279).
11
See Muslim (vol. 2, pgs. 740-750) and a al-Bukhr with Fat al-Br (vol. 12, pgs. 282,
283, 390).
12
See al-Nawaws explanation of a Muslim (vol. 7, pg. 170).
13
See Majm al-Fatw (vol. 3, pg. 282).


3
Taymiyyah.
14
And Ibn Hajar went into detail about the issue in Fat al-Br by
mentioning the various opinions of the scholars and their evidences.
15


However, the more correct opinion is not to consider them disbelievers because Ibn
Taymiyyah mentioned that no narrations from the Companions have been recorded
mentioning they were disbelievers. None of the Companions used to declare them to be
disbelievers, neither Alee nor any other Companion. Instead, they judged them as
oppressive Muslim transgressors.
16



14
See Majm al-Fatw (vol. 28, pg. 500).
15
See Fat al-Br (vol. 12, pgs. 299-301).
16
See Majm al-Fatw (vol. 3, pg. 282; vol. 5, pg. 247; vol. 7, pg. 217).
www.answering-extremism.com 1

Are the Terrorists of Today the Khawrij?

Original Title: _|- ,,.| : . _,,.!| ...
Author: li al-Fawzn
Translator: Abu Az-Zubayr Harrison



Are the Terrorists of Today the Khawrij?
1



Question: The questioner asks about this group that has today left the Muslims and
opposed them. They carry out bombings and terrorize people who once felt safe. Are
these people truly part of the Khawrij or are they disbelievers?

Answer: This group that has left the Muslims, rebelling against them this is the result of
disassociating oneself from the scholars. I mentioned the consequences of this during the
last part of the (previous) lecture. They broke away from the scholars, broke away from
the Muslim leaders, and the disbelievers and hypocrites put these ideologies into their
heads. So, they have become outcasts in Muslim societies.

They are Khawrij, no doubt. This act of theirs is the act of the Khawrij. Rather, they are
even more violent and extreme than the (original) Khawrij. The (past) Khawrij did not
use to destroy buildings and residents. The Khawrij used to show up face-to-face on the
battlefield. They used to fight on the battlefield despite what they were upon of ignorance.
But they did not used to collapse buildings on everyone inside them women, children,
the innocent, those at peace with Muslims, people with whom Muslims have a treaty, and
other people guaranteed safety. The Khawrij used not to do this. This is worse and more
violent than the actions of the (original) Khawrij. This is more like the actions of the
Qarmiah (a severely violent, misguided sect). They are more like the Qarmiah
because the actions of the Qarmiah are secret, based on secrecy and
underhandedness and what these people today do is also based on secrecy. The

1
This question was answered by li al-Fawzn verbally and the audio clip can be found at:
http://www.fatwa1.com/anti-erhab/Irhabion/Irhabion.html. This particular audio clip is no. 20 in the
list and contains three questions answered by the Shaykh this is the first one.
www.answering-extremism.com 2

(former) Khawrij their actions were not kept hidden and secret; they would make
themselves and their objectives known, publicly announcing them. So, these people are
even worse than Khawrij.
1

Are the Khawrij Those Who Only Revolt Against a Just Ruler?

Original Title: .i| _,.. _,:.i

Author: Rab Ibn Hd Al-Madkhal
Source: http://www.rabee.net/show_fatwa.aspx?id=160
Translator: A. Harrison



Are the Khawrij Those Who Only Revolt against a Just
Ruler?

Question: What is your view of someone who says, The Khawrij are the people who
revolt only against a legitimate and just ruler. As for someone who revolts against an
actual oppressive ruler, then he is not one of the Khawrij?

Answer: Abd al-Mlik Ibn Marwn used to be an oppressive ruler. He killed (the
companion) Abd Allh Ibn Az-Zubayr and one of Ibn Marwns delegates even destroyed
the Kabah. Still, (the companion) Abd Allh Ibn Umar maintained allegiance and
obedience to him after all this, and the remaining companions did the same. By Allh, he
was oppressive, may Allh have mercy on him. He did have good qualities, he did good
deeds, he had victorious conquests, and he performed (legitimate) Jihd. Yet, by Allh,
he was an oppressor, he was unjust. The messenger ( ,.., ,.. &| _.. ) taught time and
time again about these circumstances, and these texts are in the two authentic adth
collections (a Muslim & a al-Bukhr) and in other collections. For example, he
said (about the rulers):
| . , - . _ , . | . .. | , : , .i| .
Obey them as long as they establish the prayer among you.
And he said:
. - , , , . . : , , ,
(You will see things from them) that you know (to be right) and things you dislike.
And when asked, Should we oppose them with our swords? he said:
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. , . . . . |
No, not as long as they pray.

These texts were regarding unjust rulers and still the messenger ( ,.., ,.. &| _.. )
instructed (the people) to have patience with them. He did not allow rebelling and
opposing them. The one who revolts and renounces allegiance to them (the leaders),
then he does so against all the Muslims. In this case, such a person should be killed
(legitimately by capital punishment), even if the ruler he opposed was indeed
oppressive.
This understanding is from the Khawrij themselves they say, Someone is not
considered to be one of the Khawrij unless the ruler he revolts against is a just leader.
By this, they mean that Al ( .. &| _. ) was unjust and Uthmn ( .. &| _. ) was
unjust.

Also, those people who glorify Sayyid Qutb view Uthmn as not being a just leader even
if they conceal it. Otherwise, why would they glorify Sayyid Qutb who criticizes the justice
of Uthmn and nullifies and discredits his leadership? And the leadership (of a ruler) is
not to be discredited except in the case of clear disbelief, yet he (Sayyid Qutb) does so
because he is a Takfr (someone who wrongfully and indiscriminately criticizes people of
having committed disbelief). He is the chief of Takfrs! He was unable to openly proclaim
Uthmns disbelief and that of the Rawfi (the extreme Shas who curse the
companions) at the same time. He actually combined between the Khawrij and Rawfi
ideologies. He carried the banner of the Khawrij and that of the Rawfi, along with
other banners. He made Uthmn ( .. &| _. ) out to be a tyrant so we could legitimately
rebel against them, and he considered Al too as an oppressor so we could revolt against
him as well and likewise (is the pattern).

And Dh al-Khuwaysarah you saw how he discredited even the justice of the
messenger ( ,.., ,.. &| _.. ). So the issue reaches a point to which there is no limit or
3

real criterion to judge it. Someone who you may consider just is not considered to be just
by the one who rebels against him!

So, the solution is that as long as the ruler is within the circle of Islam and the
messenger ( ,.., ,.. &| _.. ) clearly defined it then even if such a ruler were wicked
and oppressive; as long as he is within Islam, as long as he establishes prayer, then it is
impermissible to oppose and revolt against him. Have you all understood this? This is the
ruling of Allh and the ruling of the messenger ( ,.., ,.. &| _.. ), not the ruling of the
ignorant people.

1

Disobeying the Rulers & Abandoning the Scholars

Original Title: ,.-i| ....i| _ ,.,:i| _,...i|

Author: Abd al-Azz li-Shaykh
Translator: Harrison



Abdul-Azz li-Shaykh
1
on Disobeying the Rulers &
Abandoning the Scholars
2



Question: Some biased and questionable people these days are promoting by way of
the internet and calling the youth of this country to disregard obedience to the
leaders/government of the country and to instead oppose them. They also call the youth
not to listen to the scholars in this regard. So, we ask for your counsel and comments on
this.

Answer: We seek refuge with Allh from such evil circumstances. These are the
hypocrites. They are astray and in their hearts is a disease. They envy Islam and its
people. Whoever calls to opposing and rebelling against the leader, whoever calls to
insurgence against the authorities, and whoever calls to chaos, then theres hypocrisy in
his heart and a disease. May Allh suppress and disgrace such a person.

This person is, and we seek help from Allh, one of the callers to evil and wickedness
and of those who cause distress to a nation. Hes one of those who have a sickness of
envy in their hearts towards Islam and its adherents. They love to spread chaos and
anarchy among Muslim societies.

It is required for every Muslim to have insight and to fully comprehend all that he hears.
No doubt, the internet is one of the most technological advances in communication.
However, unfortunately it sometimes contains websites and allows access to the
promotion of criminal, misleading, and hypocritical information which takes others away

1
Abd al-Azz li-Shaykh: The current Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (born 1362
Hijrah / 1941). T.N.
2
This fatw was taken from a book called al-Fatw al-Shariyyah f al-Qadhy Al-Asriyyah, a
collection of various rulings by Muhammad Ibn Fahd al-usayn.
2

from Allh. These are politically sectarian people causing nothing but corruption. Allh
() says:

| . , _, , , i _ }| _ |, . . . . . , - . . . _ - . . . . | i. , . , , . . |
,, . . . . i| ,, , - : . _ : i ,
And when it is said to them, Do not cause corruption on earth, they say,
We are only trying to rectify and better the situation. For sure, they are
the corruptors but they dont perceive it.
[Srah al-Baqarah, 2:11-12]

Anyone who invites another person to oppose and rebel against the obedience of those
in leadership and not to listen to them, then assume the worst of such a person in that
hes a hypocrite and a wicked sinner. He has no allegiance, no religion, and no loyalty.
This is so because, and we seek refuge with Allh, these types of incitements promote
chaos, bloodshed, the plundering of property, and the violation of peoples rights. Our
society, thanks to Allh, is a Muslim society under Muslim leadership. There are men in
its service working for the well-being of the country, defending it, some working
throughout the entire night safeguarding it in order to protect it in every possible way.
They sacrifice their time and money for the establishment of this society. Whenever any
ways leading to evil arise, Allh repels them from this country by means of what it
contains of good, rectifications, legislative rulings, and good intentions from those in
positions of authority in the country. May Allh grant them success and guide them to all
thats good.

So, these types of calls and invitations on the internet and by other means originate from
envious people and misguided hypocrites. They cannot come from a Muslim who fears
Allh and remains conscious of Him. A Muslim is someone who fears Allh
conscientiously, calls to that which Allh calls to of listening to and obeying the leaders in
obedience to Allh, and supports them by cooperation, especially in these recent times of
dangers and tribulations that threaten all Muslim societies. So, alliance, cooperation,
mutual support, and the unity of hearts and goals, and of the ranks of the people this is
3

whats obligated upon us and required from every individual among us. The Prophet ()
said:

, . .. , . , . . . , . , . . . , . - , , . . . _ _ , i , &| _ . i _ .
Whoever meets Allh (dies) with no allegiance of obedience upon him, then he
dies a death in a state of Jhiliyyah (pre-Islamic state of ignorance).
3


Whoever has within his heart envy and enmity towards the country and belittles
obedience and social order, he lives a wretched life and dies the death of Jhiliyyah.

A Muslim should love the good for other Muslims. He should love that they are united and
that their hearts and ranks are one. Its well-known that these enemies desire only chaos
and disorder and not unity.

This country is envied because of its religion, its safety, its leadership, affluence and rich
resources, and its unity and uniformity. So, we ask Allh for His protection from these
misguiding propagations. Every Muslim is required, when hearing such evil, to pay no
attention to it, reject it, and make it known that it originates from people with hearts full of
envy and animosity, of deviance and evil from those waging war against Allh and his
messenger ( ,.., ,.. &| _.. ).

May Allh protect our Muslim lands from every evil. We ask Allh to preserve for us our
religion, our safety, and our leadership. May He unite us on obedience to Him and may
He prevent the plots of the treacherous and the hatred of the envious.
4



3
Recorded by Muslim (no 4770).
4
Taken from the casette, Adf al-amalt al-Ilmiyyah id Wulh wa Ulam Bild al-
aramayn.
www.answering-extremism.com

The Khawrij Ideology

Original Title: ,.-i| ....i| _ ,.,:i| _,...i|
Author: li al-Fawzn
Translator: Abu Az-Zubayr Harrison



The Khawrij Ideology
1



Question: Are there present today those who have the same ideologies of the Khawrij?

Answer: All of this that is prevalent today is it not from the actions of the Khawrij?!
Making Takfr
2
of Muslims and even worse killing fellow Muslims and hating them? This
is the exact methodology of the Khawrij. It includes three things:

1. Making Takfr of other Muslims.
2. Renouncing obedience to the leader or government.
3. Declaring the blood of other Muslims lawful to spill.

This is precisely the methodology of the Khawrij. Even if a person were only to believe
any of these things with his heart, yet he may not actually speak or do anything of them,
he is still one of the Khawrij in his baseless belief and opinions.
3



1
This Fatw was taken from a book called al-Fatw al-Shariyyah f al-Qadhy al-Asriyyah, a
collection of various rulings by Muammad Ibn Fahd al-uayn.
2
Takfr: The indiscriminate declaring of people to be disbelievers regardless if they declare belief
or not. [T.N.]
3
Taken from the cassette: Fatw al-Ulam f al-Adth al-Rhinah allat adathat bisharq
Madnah ar-Riydh.(1424 Hijrah / 2004).
Page 1 of 2

Are the Khawrij Sincere in Worship?

Original Title: _,:.i _,...i|

Author: Rab Ibn Hd Al-Madkhal
Source: http://www.rabee.net/show_fatwa.aspx?id=157
Translator: Harrison



Are the Khawrij Sincere in Worship?


Question: Regarding the hadth of the prophet ( . . &| _ . . , , . . , ) about the Khawrij:

| . . _ . . . _ . _ , - | ,| . , : . - | , . - . _ . . _ . .. , . , , , .
, , .. , . .i| _ , . . . : _` .i| _ . , , . , . ,i| _ . , ,
There will appear from this mans progeny people who one of you would belittle
his own prayer when compared with theirs, and his fasting compared to theirs.
(But) they will pass through the religion just as an arrow might pass through a
target.
1



As for the wording, One of you would belittle his own prayer when compared with theirs,
and his fasting compared to theirs, does this mean that he ( _ . . &| , . . , . . , ) described
the Khawrij as being people sincere in worship?

Answer: No, if they had anything of sincerity, they would follow the prophets guidance
( _ . . &| , . . , . . , ), but they dont have sincerity, and Allaah knows best. They do, however,
possess hypocrisy and showing off, incorrect acts of worship, and extremism in worship.

Three people once came to the houses of the wives of the prophet ( _ . . &| , . . , . . , ), asking
how the prophet used to worship. When they were informed about it
2
, they belittled their
own worship and said, What are we compared to the prophet ( _ . . &| , . . , . . , )? Allaah has
already forgiven all his past and previous sins. So, one of them said, As for me, I am

1
Recorded by al-Bukhr (no. 3610, 6163, 6933) and Muslim (no. 1064).
2
i.e. That he did not use to be extreme in worship.
Page 2 of 2

going to pray all night, every night. Another said, And I will fast every day. The third
said, I am going to avoid women and never get married. Later, the prophet ( _ . . &| , . .
, . . ,) came to them and said:

| . : , | . : , . . _ . i| , . . | : } _` . .i| , . . | _` . : i i , :. . . | , . i , :. : -
_` . . _ , . _ . . . _ . , . _ . .. .` .i| _ , , . |, . | , _ . . | , , L | , , . |
Are you the ones who said this and that? As for me, by Allh, I am the most
fearing of Allaah among you. Still, I fast some days and not other days, I pray
sometimes and I sleep, and I marry women. Whoever isnt satisfied with my way
then hes not from me.
3


As for the Khawrij, when they go to extremes in acts of worship and go beyond the
limits, they fall into extremism. This may Allaah bless you is misguidance and we
shouldnt praise them for it. Instead, its disgraceful of them because theyve fallen into
extremism.

The companions (of the prophet _ . . &| , . . , . . , ) were the best of Allaahs creation and
used to worship Allaah more than anyone else. Do these people (the Khawrij) pray more
than they did? Do they recite the Quran more than they did? These Khawrij recite the
Quran yet understand it in ways other than it is intended, other than what it really means.

Brother, I could read one text from the Sunnah in the way its to be understood according
to the prophet ( _ . . &| , . . , . . , ) and its better than (their) praying all night. This is nothing
but extremism in worship. They have left the prophets Sunnah ( _ . . &| , . . , . . , ), turned
away from it while being dissatisfied with it. They are people of misguidance. So, this
adth is neither in praise of them, nor is it commending them for being sincere.

3
Recorded by al-Bukhr (no. 5063).