Posted from the al-ibaanah e-Book : Selected Examples from the Characteristics of the Extremist Khawaarij – Aadil bin ‘Alee Al-Furaydaan [This book reviewed and examined by Shaikh Saalih bin Fawzaan Al-Fawzaan and Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Abdir-Rahmaan Al-Khumayyis]
Their Attributes and Characteristics
The First Characteristic: They are young in age. [Al-Bukhaaree (no. 5057) from the hadeeth of ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
The Second Characteristic: They have foolish minds – i.e. intellects. [Al-Bukhaaree (no. 5057) from the hadeeth of ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
The Third Characteristic: They speak with the best speech amongst creation. [Al- Bukhaaree (no. 5057) from the hadeeth of ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
The Fourth Characteristic: Their Eemaan does not go past their throats. [Al- Bukhaaree (no. 5057) from the hadeeth of ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
The Fifth Characteristic: They come out from the Religion just as an arrow comes out from the hunted game. Then they do not return back to it. [Muslim (no. 2496) from the hadeeth of Abu Dharr (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
And in one narration: “They shoot out from the Religion just as an arrow shoots out from the hunted game.” [Al-Bukhaaree (no. 5058) from the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudree (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
In another report it states: “They shoot out from Islaam…” [Al-Bukhaaree (no. 5057) from the hadeeth of ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
The Sixth Characteristic: They have a weakness when it comes to understanding the Religion of Allaah. This is why it has been reported that “They recite the Qur’aan but it does not surpass…” [Muslim (no. 2456)] “…or go past their throats.” [Al- Bukhaaree (no. 5058) from the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudree (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
In one narration, it states: “…their pharynxes (hulooq).” [Muslim (no. 2455) from the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudree (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
In another narration, it states: “…their pharynxes {halaaqeehim).” [Muslim (no. 2469) from Abu Dharr (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
In another narration, it states: “…their collar bones (taraaqeehim).” [Al-Bukhaaree (no. 6934) from Sahl bin Haneef (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
In another narration, it states: “They will make their tongues eloquent with the Qur’aan.” [As-Sunnah of Ibn Abee ‘Aasim (no. 937) from Abu Bakrah (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
In another narration, it states: “They will recite the Qur’aan with their tongues but it will not go past their collar bones.” [Muslim (no. 2470) from Sahl bin Haneef (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
In another narration: “They will hold it (i.e. the recitation) to be for them, when it is against them.” [As-Sunnah of Ibn Abee ‘Aasim (no. 916) from ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
In another narration, it states: “They will think…” instead of “They will hold…” [Muslim (no. 2467) from the hadeeth of ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
In one narration, he صلى الله عليه و سلم said: “They will call to the Book of Allaah, but they will have nothing to do with Allaah.” [As-Sunnah of Ibn Abee ‘Aasim (no. 941) from Abu Zaid Al-Ansaaree (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
In another narration of the hadeeth, the Khawaarij and what they undergo when reciting the Qur’aan was mentioned to Ibn ‘Abbaas (radhi Allaahu anhu), so he said: “They are not as extreme in their striving as the Jews and the Christians were, but yet they went astray.” [Ash- Sharee’ah (pg. 27-28)]
And in another narration, Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “They believe in His clear verses, but go astray concerning His unclear verses 10 – No one knows their hidden meanings except Allaah. And as for those firmly rooted in knowledge, they say: ‘We believe in it.'”
And he said: “They are in a confused and drunken state. They are neither Jews nor Christians nor Magians, so that they may be excused.” [Ash-Sharee’ah (pg. 28)]
The Seventh Characteristic: They are excessive in performing acts of worship, as occurs in the hadeeth in which the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه و سلم spoke to his Companions about them, saying: “Your prayer is nothing as compared to their prayer. Your fasting is nothing as compared to their fasting. And your reciting the Qur’aan is nothing as compared to their reciting.” [Muslim (no. 2467) from the hadeeth of ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
In one narration of this hadeeth, it states: “You will look down at your prayer as compared to their prayer…” [Muslim (no. 2455) from Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudree (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
And in another narration: “…(and you will look down) at your deeds as compared to their deeds.” [Sharh Usool ‘Itiqaad Ahlis-Sunnah (8/1231)]
The Eighth Characteristic: They are the worst of creation and creatures. [Muslim (no. 2469) from the hadeeth of Abu Dharr (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
Abu ‘Abdillaah Ahmad bin Hanbal (rahimahullaah) said: “The Khawaarij are an evil people. I don’t know of any people on the earth that are worse than them.” [As-Sunnah of Abu Bakr Al-Khallaal (no. 110)]
The Ninth Characteristic: Their distinguishing attribute is that they shave their heads. [Muslim (no. 2457) from the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudree 4]
In another narration of the hadeeth, it states: “At-Tasbeet.” [Muslim (no. 4765) from Anas bin Maalik radhi Allaahu anhu ]
Tasbeet means: Removing the short hair.
The Tenth Characteristic: They will kill the people of Faith and leave alone the worshippers of idols.
In one narration, it states: “They will kill the people of Islaam…” [Muslim (no. 2451) from the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudree (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
The Eleventh Characteristic: They will become so deeply absorbed (i.e. ta’ammuq) in the Religion [11] to the point that they will leave from it. [As-Sunnah of Ibn Abee ‘Aasim (no. 930) from ‘Abdullaah bin ‘Amr (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
The Twelfth Characteristic: They disparage their rulers and claim them to be upon misguidance, as ‘Abdullaah bin Dhil-Khuwaisrah did with the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم.
The Thirteenth Characteristic: They call the people to the Book of Allaah but have nothing to do with it. [12] [Abu Dawood (no. 4765) from the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed Al- Khudree (radhi Allaahu anhu) and Anas bin Maalik (radhi Allaahu anhu)
The Fourteenth Characteristic: They do not believe that the people of knowledge and virtue hold a special position. This was why they perceived that they were more knowledgeable than ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib, Ibn ‘Abbaas and the rest of the Companions, may Allaah be pleased with all of them. [Al-Khawaarij Awwalul-Firaq fee Taareekh-il- Islaam (pg. 38)]
What is meant by ta’ammuq is: Relying and using as proof that which the religious texts do not substantiate.
The Fifteenth Characteristic: They go to extremes in worship. So they perform acts of worship to the extent that those who see them become amazed with them and they become amazed with themselves. 13 [As-Sunnah of Ibn Abee ‘Aasim (no. 945) from the hadeeth of Anas bin Maalik (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
Ibn ‘Abbaas (radhi Allaahu anhu) said: “And I have not seen a people that are stricter in their exertion (of worship) than them. Their hands are like the calluses of camels and their foreheads are marked due to the traces of prostration.” [Majma’-uz-Zawaa’id (6/240)]
The Sixteenth Characteristic: Ibn ‘Umar (radhi Allaahu anhu) held them to be the worst of creation. He (radhi Allaahu anhu) said about them: “They took ayaat that were revealed concerning the disbelievers and applied them to the believers.” Al-Bukhaaree reported this narration under the “Chapter: Killing the Khawaarij and Heretics after establishing the proof against them.”
Allaah says: “And Allaah will never lead a people astray after He has guided them until He makes clear to them what they should be avoiding.” [Surah At-Tawbah: 115]
The Seventeenth Characteristic: They will set out (to fight) against the best group amongst people.” [Al-Bukhaaree (no. 6933)]
The Eighteenth Characteristic: Allaah’s saying: “And among them are some who accuse you (O Muhammad) in the matter of the (distribution of) alms…” [Surah At- Tawbah: 58] was revealed concerning ‘Abdullaah bin Dhil-Khuwaisirah At-Tameemee, the founding father of the Khawaarij. [Al-Bukhaaree (no. 6933) from the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudree (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
The Nineteenth Characteristic: Their prayer does not go past their throats. [Muslim (no. 2467) from the hadeeth of ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
The Twentieth Characteristic: There is a great reward for he who kills them. ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib (radhi Allaahu anhu) said: “If the army that encounters them knew what was ordained for them upon the tongue of their prophet, they would only rely on that action.” [Abu Dawood (no. 4768)]
In one narration, it reads: “Whoever fights them has more right to Allaah than them.” [Abu Dawood (no. 4765) from the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudree (radhi Allaahu anhu) and Anas bin Maalik (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
And in another narration, it states: “Toobaa is for he who kills them and is killed by them.” [Abu Dawood (no. 4765) from Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudree (radhi Allaahu anhu) and Ahmad (no. 19172) from ‘Abdullaah bin Abee Awfaa (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
Abu Umaamah (radhi Allaahu anhu) said: “They are the worst of those who are killed under the surface of the sky. And the best of those who are killed is he who is killed at their hands.” And (radhi Allaahu anhu) said: “These individuals were Muslims but became disbelievers.” [Ibn Maajah (no. 176)]
The Twenty-First Characteristic: They shed unlawful blood – whether their own by way of suicide or others by transgressing against them by way of murder. [Muslim (no. 246) from the hadeeth of ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
The Twenty-Second Characteristic: As ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib (radhi Allaahu anhu) said: “They will speak the truth with their tongues, but it will not go past this from them.” – And he pointed to his throat. “They are from the most despised of Allaah’s creation to Him.” He (radhi Allaahu anhu) said this when they told him: “There is no rule except for that of Allaah’s.” [Muslim (no. 2468) from the statement of ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
The Twenty-Third Characteristic: They are the first ones who split away from the unified body of Muslims and declared them to be disbelievers due to (their committing of) sins. [Majmoo’-ul-Fataawaa of Shaikh-ul-lslaam Ibn Taimiyyah (3/349 and 7/279)]
The Twenty-Fourth Characteristic: They beautify their speech but produce vile actions – after mentioning the differing and division in the ummah. [Abu Dawood (no. 4765) from the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudree (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
The Twenty-Fifth Characteristic: Every time a new generation springs forth from them, it gets cut off (i.e. from the Jamaa’ah). [Ibn Maajah (no. 174) from Ibn ‘Umar (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
The Twenty-Sixth Characteristic: There will emerge from amidst them the Dajjaal.
In a narration it states: “…from their treachery…”
And in one manuscript: “…from their ranks…” And that refers to a great army. [Ibn Maajah (no. 174) from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
The Twenty-Seventh Characteristic: They are from those in whose hearts is a deviation, as has been interpreted from the saying of Allaah: “But as for those in whose hearts there is a deviation, they follow what is unclear thereof…” [Surah Aali ‘Imraan: 7] and His saying: “On the Day when some faces will be brightened and some faces will be darkened…” [Surah Aali ‘Imraan: 106] that the ones who are intended by these verses were the Khawaarij. [Ahmad (no. 22313) from Abu Umaamah
The Twenty-Eighth Characteristic: They declare a Muslim to be a disbeliever due to every sin. And they say: “The leave the fold of Eemaan and enter into disbelief.” [Sharh al-‘Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah (pg. 298) with the verification of Ahmad Shaakir]
The Twenty-Ninth Characteristic: They hold that the Muslims who commit major sins will reside eternally in the Hellfire. [Sharh al-‘Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah (pg. 360) with the verification of Ahmad Shaakir]
The Thirtieth Characteristic: They hold it as an obligatory duty to rebel against the leader if he opposes the Sunnah. [Al-Milal wan-Nihal (1/115)]
The Thirty-First Characteristic: They are the worst of people in deriving rules based on analogy. [14] [Al-Milal wan-Nihal (1/1 16)]
The Thirty-Second Characteristic: They deem the subjects disbelievers – those absent as well as those present – if their leader commits disbelief. This is done by the Baihasiyyah – one of the sects of the Khawaarij. [Al-Milal wan-Nihal (1/126)]
The Thirty-Third Characteristic: They declare those who don’t agree with their views to be disbelievers, and they consider their blood lawful for shedding. The also permit the killing of the women and children that oppose them. This is done by the Azaariqah – one of the sects of the Khawaarij. [Lawaami’-ul-Anwaar al-Bahiyyah (1/86)]
The Thirty-Fourth Characteristic: They hold that Faith (Eemaan) is: Knowledge of Allaah and of what the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه و سلم came with. So whoever commits something that he is not sure of as to whether it is lawful or unlawful, he is a disbeliever, since he was obligated to have researched into the matter. This is done by the Baihasiyyah – one of the sects of the Khawaarij. [Lawaami’-ul-Anwaar al-Bahiyyah (1/87)]
The Thirty-Fifth Characteristic: They hold that it is obligatory to fight against the ruler alone as well as whoever is pleased with his rule. As for those who reject the ruler, then it is not permissible to fight against them unless they support the ruler, attack the beliefs of the Khawaarij or serve as guides for the ruler. 15 This is done by the ‘Ujaaradah – one of the sects of the Khawaarij.
The Thirty-Sixth Characteristic: They say: “Every sin that a person commits makes him a disbeliever, since he is ignorant of Allaah. This is done by the Makramiyyah al- Munshaqqah from the Tha’alabiyyah – one of the sects of the Khawaarij.
The Thirty-Seventh Characteristic: There will be from among them those who will be with the Dajjaal during the Last Days. It was said to ‘Alee radhi Allaahu anhu: “All praise be to Allaah who rescued the servants from them.” He replied: “Nay. I swear by the One in whose Hand my soul is, there are still some of them that remain in the loins of men and verily, there are those amongst them who will be with the Dajjaal. [Lawaami’-ul-Anwaar al-Bahiyyah (1/86)]
The Thirty-Eighth Characteristic: They do not respect the sanctity of places or times, as occurred with the Qaraamitah and those who came after them until this very day of ours.
The Thirty-Ninth Characteristic: They do not hold that an oppressive ruler has the right to leadership. [Maqaalaat al-lslaamiyeen (1/204)]
The Fortieth Characteristic: They cling onto the apparent meanings of the Qur’aanic texts. Even though they don’t intend to oppose it, however, they understand from it that which the texts do not indicate. Due to this, they have claimed that the prophets committed major and minor sins based on Allaah’s statement: “Verily, We have given you a manifest victory – So that Allaah may forgive you of your past and future sins.” [Surah Al-Fat’h: 1-2] So according to them, the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم may commit disbelief then repent. [Al-Khawaarij – ‘Aqeedatan wa Fikran wa Filasufatan (pg. 54)]
The Forty-First Characteristic: They reject the Sunnah if there is not some explicit text in the Qur’aan that supports it.
Shaikh-ul-lslaam Ibn Taimiyyah (rahimahullaah) said: “They do not take anything from the Sunnah except for that which can be interpreted in its general sense, not including those texts that contradict what is apparently stated in the Qur’aan, according to them. So they do not believe in stoning the fornicator nor do they believe that there is a minimum (stolen) amount, which constitutes stealing.” [Majmoo’-ul-Fataawaa (13/48)]
The Forty-Second Characteristic: They lie in wait on the roads for the purpose of attacking the passers-by and spilling their blood without any justification from Allaah. [Al-Mustadrak of Al-Haakim (2/153) and Majma’-uz-Zawaa’id (6/236) from the speech of ‘Aa’ishah (radhi Allaahu anhu)]
The Forty-Third Characteristic: Not one of the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه و سلم could be found amongst them (i.e. to support them). [Al-Mustadrak of Al-Haakim (2/150)]
The Forty-Fourth Characteristic: There are many amongst them that differ with one another. This is why they have divided into so many sects, some of which set out to fight against the other and at times, some of which deliver speeches against the other. Allaah spoke truthfully when He said: “If it (i.e. the Qur’aan) were from other than Allaah, you would have found many differences in it.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 82] [Al- Khawaarij- Aqeedatan wa Fikran wa Filasufatan (pg. 54)]
The Forty-Fifth Characteristic: They are the dogs of the inhabitants of Hell. [Sharh ‘Itiqaad Ahlis-Sunnah (8/1232)]
The Forty-Sixth Characteristic: They outwardly manifest the attributes of calling to good and forbidding evil, redirecting the religious texts concerning that towards disputing with the rulers, rebelling against them and fighting against those who oppose them. [Ash-Sharee’ah (pg. 22) and Al-Khawaarij Awwalul-Firaq fee Taareekh-il-lslaam (P9- 37)]
The Forty-Seventh Characteristic: They speak using the speech and words of the people of knowledge.
Muhammad bin al-Husayn (rahimahullaah) said: “It is not befitting for one who sees the tireless efforts of a Khaarijee that has rebelled against a ruler – whether just or tyrannical – thus setting out against him, rallying a group against him, unsheathing swords and deeming it lawful to fight against Muslims – it is not befitting for him to be deceived by such a person’s recitation of the Qur’aan nor by the length of his standing in prayer, nor by his perseverance in fasting, nor by his good words concerning knowledge, so long as he holds the views of the Khawaarij.” [Ash-Sharee’ah (pg. 28)]
The Forty-Eighth Characteristic: They permit oppression against the Prophet M- [Al- Bukhaaree (no. 6933) from the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudree (radhi Allaahu anhu) and Majmoo’-ul- Fataawaa of Ibn Taimiyyah (19/73)]
The Forty-Ninth Characteristic: They use as evidence verses from the Qur’aan that deal with the wa’eed (Allaah’s threat of punishment) while abandoning the verses concerning the wa’ad (Allaah’s promise for forgiveness). [Al-Khawaarij Awwalul-Firaq fee Taareekh-il-lslaam (pg. 38)]
The Fiftieth Characteristic: They are hasty in applying rulings. [Al-Khawaarij Awwalul- Firaq fee Taareekh-il-lslaam (pg. 146)]
The Fifty-First Characteristic: They make rulings and accusations against the hearts. This includes issuing rulings on one’s decisions and notions. [Al-Khawaarij Awwalul- Firaq fee Taareekh-il-lslaam (pg. 147)]
The Fifty-Second Characteristic: Among them is he who has doubts concerning the well-established historical events. [Diraasatun ‘an-il-Firaq wa Taareekh-ul-Muslimeen (pg. 133)]
The Fifty-Third Characteristic: They call to illiteracy and they make war against education, claiming that it is not possible to combine between the religious sciences and the practical secular sciences. [Diraasatun ‘an-il-Firaq wa Taareekh-ul-Muslimeen (pg. 134)]
The Fifty-Fourth Characteristic: They call to splitting away from the Muslim community. So they boycott the schools, institutes, universities, government positions and residing with Muslims. [Diraasatun ‘an-il-Firaq wa Taareekh-ul-Muslimeen (pg. 137)]
The Fifty-Fifth Characteristic: From among them is he who believes that a person who holds that the consensus (Ijmaa’) of the scholars is proof is a disbeliever. [Diraasatun ‘an-il-Firaq wa Taareekh-ul-Muslimeen (pg. 143)]
The Fifty-Sixth Characteristic: Among them is he who disparages the Companions and rejects their statements. [Diraasatun ‘an-il-Firaq wa Taareekh-ul-Muslimeen (pg. 144)]
The Fifty-Seventh Characteristic: They oppose those scholars that make blind- following permissible for the common person and the beginner student, claiming that blind-following (taqleed) is a cause for disbelief and the destruction of the nation of Islaam. [Diraasatun ‘an-il-Firaq wa Taareekh-ul-Muslimeen (pg. 146-147)]
The Fifty-Eighth Characteristic: They kill themselves in suicide operations basing that on false arguments.
Footnotes:
[10] This is a characteristic that is common with all innovators, since they go astray with regard to Allaah’s unclear verses. They do not try to combine between the clear and unclear verses, as those firmly-grounded in knowledge do.
[11] What is meant by ta’ammuq is: Relying and using as proof that which the religious texts do not substantiate
[12] Meaning: They will seek to use evidences from the Book of Allaah but err in their manner of deriving the basis of proof from them.
[13] Being amazed with oneself is one of the causes that lead the people of innovation astray. And it is one of the pathways that the Devil uses to enter into the affairs of worshippers, Mujaahideen and ascetics, so long as they do not adhere to the Sunnah.
[14] I say: This is with respect to the later ones among them. As for the initial Khawaarij, then they rarely performed analytical deduction. Rather, they would apply their poor understanding to the religious texts.
[15] How similar does tonight resemble last night, for everyone that warns against their ways is accused (by them) as regards his Religion. They deem it permissible to fight against the police and security officers who are the cause for maintaining peace and safety.
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