A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
The Khawarij.
The Khawarij are a sect that emerged during a time of division among the Muslims.
They declared ‘Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, a disbeliever for accepting the arbitration.
They also declared the Companions disbelievers, with the exception of the two Shaykhs, Abu Bakr and ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both.
Eventually, they reached the point of declaring the general body of Muslims disbelievers due to their sins.
Consequently, according to their logic, no one remained a Muslim except for them.
Their false creed led them to deem the blood and wealth of the Muslims lawful.
Their origin traces back to Dhul-Khuwaysirah al-Tamimi.
He was the one who objected to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, regarding his distribution of the spoils of war.
He said, "O Messenger of Allah, be just."
The Prophet, peace be upon him, replied:
"Woe to you! Who would be just if I were not just?"
Then the Prophet, peace be upon him, said to ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him:
"Leave him, for he has companions whose prayer you would consider insignificant compared to their prayer,"
"and whose fasting you would consider insignificant compared to their fasting."
"They recite the Qur'an, but it does not go beyond their throats."
"They pass through the religion just as an arrow passes through its target."
It is agreed upon.
Scholars have differed regarding the ruling of declaring them disbelievers.
One scholar described them:
As a people who combined ignorance with harshness.
Thus, they became divided among themselves.
They declared one another disbelievers.
A note of caution:
There are those today who confuse the Muslims.
They label the mujahideen who fight against the invaders occupying Muslim lands—
such as the Russians, Jews, and Americans—
as being Khawarij.
They also label anyone who calls for jihad, disavowal of the disbelievers, and enmity toward them,
as being one of the Khawarij.
They apply this label as well to those who disavow the leaders of disbelief and the tyrants
who have made lawful what Allah has forbidden,
rejected the law of Allah,
allied themselves with the enemies of Allah,
and shown enmity toward the allies of Allah.
By doing so, the legitimacy of their authority is negated.
And the description of those who disavow them as being Khawarij is likewise negated.
Therefore, all these accusations leveled against the callers to Islam and the mujahideen
are acts of injustice and manifest slander against them.
A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.