Saba'iya, Khawarij, the Exilarch's men: a Question of Islamic Leadership
Khawarji, or Kharajites[1] is derived from the root word ‘kharaja’ which means ‘to go out’. In literal terms, the word Khawarij may refer to any group, which has separated themselves from the majority or any group who rebels against the government. From a letter sent by Ibn-Ibad to the Khalif ‘Abd al-Malik’. Montgomery Watt writes: “According to this the Khalif seems to have meant by the term ‘Khawarij’ all those groups actively engaged in risings against the government”.
The first group of Kharijites emerged in the time of ‘Ali’ the fourth Khalif. They were a group of people who were supporting Ali in the fierce battle that erupted between Ali and Mu’awiyah. The battle they say was due to a political reason. Some say that Mu’awiyah didn’t recognize the leadership of Ali and for this reason didn’t pledge allegiance to him. On the other hand, some say that the war took place because Mu’awiyah, a kinsman of 'Uthman and also the governor of Syria during his leadership wanted to take revenge on those people who took part in the killing of the previous Khalif, ‘Uthman. Whatever the case, this battle took place in ‘Siffin’ on the upper Euphrates. The war occurred because there was a difference of opinion on the killing of 'Uthman as to, was it just or unjust. There was no result to the war except the fact that both parties agreed to send one man from amongst them who will try to end the dispute according to the principles of the Qur’an. It was on this occasion that the Kharijites emerged saying that there is no reason to have men making the decision. Only the Book, i.e The Qur’an will decide. These were people who were from the supporters of Ali.
Shahrastani writes: “The Khawarij themselves were the ones who initially prepared Ali to send a person from amongst them to try and end the dispute. When Ali appointed Abdullah Ibn Abbas these people were not pleased. They said, “He is from your family.” Then they persisted to send ‘Abu Musa Ash’ari’. Even though Ali was not pleased with this decision the matter settled on his sending. Due to the unhappiness of Ali, the Khawarij left claiming ‘No judgment but Allah’s’. Then they left the battle and gathered at a place called ‘Nahrawan’.”
When separating from Ali, the leader of the Kharijites was ‘Abdullah Ibn al-Kawa’ but the first leader they appointed upon themselves was Abdullah Ibn Wahab al-Rabisi al-Azdi. Some of the early famous Kharijites were: Ikrimah, Abu Harun al-Abdi, Abu Sha’saa, Ismail Ibn Samee’. From the later famous Kharijites were: Al-Yaman Ibn Rabab, Abdullah Ibn Yazeed, Muhammad Ibn Harb and Yahya Ibn Kamil.
The Khawarji contained at their core Judaic zealots, trained in war, descendants of Bar Kochba's legions.[2] The reason for their separation was that they believed that Ali and Mu’awiyah were making men as the authority to make judgments and to do so while the Qur’an is present is not permissible. Therefore, both Ali and Mu’awiyah are wrongdoers in the eyes of the Kharijites. They also believe that a person who commits a major sin termed ‘Kabira’ in Arabic immediately leaves the fold of Islam. He no longer remains a Muslim and instead enters into disbelief.
Also one of their beliefs is that one must claim that he is free from the actions of Uthmaan and Ali. This is also a condition for getting married according to them. They also believe that if the Ruler is opposing the ‘Sunnah’ in any of his rulings then to leave him and oppose him openly is an obligatory right.
The Azaariqa are one of the major groups from amongst the Khawarij. Shahrastani has outlined their beliefs. He writes: Their belief is that Ali had committed an act of disbelief. Also, Uthmaan, Talha, Zubair, Aaisha and Abdullah Ibn Abbas and all the other Muslims with them are non-believers and therefore will stay in the hell-fire forever. It is allowed to kill the children and wives of the people who oppose them from amongst them. An adulterous person shouldn’t be pelted to death due to the fact that there is no mention of this in the Qur’an and also the children of the Polytheists that die before reaching the age of puberty will be with their parents in the hell-fire. Also, to sit and ignore war is an act of disbelief.