Kharijite facts for kids
The Kharijites were a group of Muslims who appeared during the early years of Islam, around the 7th century. They were important in the history of Islam because they had different ideas about who should lead the Muslim community. Today, there are no groups that call themselves Kharijites. However, the Ibadi Muslims are sometimes seen as the only surviving group that shares some historical roots with the Kharijites, even though the Ibadis do not consider themselves Kharijites. Most Ibadis live in Oman, with smaller groups in Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Zanzibar.
Sometimes, the term Kharijite is used to describe some modern extremist groups who use violence. This comparison is often debated and is not accepted by everyone.
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Who Were the Kharijites?
The Kharijites were a group of Muslims who broke away from the main Muslim community during a time of great change. They believed that only the most righteous and pious person should be the leader, or Caliph, of the Muslims, regardless of their family or tribe. They were very strict about their beliefs and thought that anyone who disagreed with them was wrong.
How the Kharijites Started
The Kharijite movement began during a difficult period in early Islamic history, known as the First Muslim Civil War. This war happened after the death of the third Caliph, Uthman. The main leaders at the time were Ali, who was the fourth Caliph, and Mu'awiya, the governor of Syria.
The First Muslim Civil War
After Caliph Uthman was killed, there was a lot of disagreement about who should be the next leader. Many people supported Ali, who was a cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. However, others, including Mu'awiya, wanted justice for Uthman's death and did not immediately accept Ali's leadership. This disagreement led to a civil war within the Muslim community.
The Battle of Siffin
A major event in this war was the Battle of Siffin in 657 CE. Ali's army fought against Mu'awiya's army. When Ali's army was close to winning, Mu'awiya's soldiers put pages of the Quran on their spears. This was a sign that they wanted to stop fighting and settle the dispute through discussion and arbitration, rather than continued battle.
Ali agreed to this arbitration, hoping to avoid more bloodshed. However, a group within Ali's army strongly disagreed with this decision. They believed that only God could decide who was right, and that agreeing to human arbitration was a betrayal of their faith. They shouted the slogan "No judgment except God's" (la hukma illa li-llah). This group then left Ali's army. These were the first Kharijites.
The Battle of Nahrawan
The Kharijites became very extreme in their views. They believed that Ali had sinned by agreeing to arbitration and that he was no longer a true Muslim leader. They also declared that anyone who did not agree with their strict beliefs was an enemy. They started to attack other Muslims who did not share their views.
Ali tried to reason with them, but they refused to return to his side. Eventually, Ali had to fight them in the Battle of Nahrawan in 658 CE. Most of the Kharijites were defeated in this battle. However, some survived and continued their movement, spreading their ideas in different regions.
What Did Kharijites Believe?
The Kharijites had very strong and strict beliefs about leadership and faith.
- Leadership: They believed that the leader of the Muslim community (the Caliph) did not have to be from a specific family or tribe, like the Prophet's family. Instead, they thought that any Muslim, even a slave, could be Caliph if they were truly righteous and followed Islamic laws perfectly.
- Strictness in Faith: They believed that committing a major sin made a Muslim no longer a true Muslim. This was a very different idea from other Muslim groups at the time, who believed that a Muslim who sinned was still a Muslim, though they might need to repent.
- Rebellion: They believed it was their duty to rebel against any leader they considered unjust or sinful. This led them to often be in conflict with the ruling powers of their time.
Kharijites Today: The Ibadi Muslims
While the original Kharijite groups no longer exist, the Ibadi school of Islam is sometimes linked to them historically. The Ibadis are a distinct branch of Islam that developed from a moderate group of early Kharijites. However, Ibadis do not consider themselves Kharijites. They reject the extreme views and violent actions of the early Kharijites.
Ibadi Muslims are known for their peaceful nature and their emphasis on righteous living. They have their own unique interpretations of Islamic law and history. Today, the largest Ibadi community is found in Oman, where they form the majority of the population. There are also smaller Ibadi communities in parts of North Africa, like Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, and on the island of Zanzibar.
Modern Comparisons
In modern times, some people use the term "Neo-Kharijite" to describe certain extremist groups who use violence and declare other Muslims to be non-believers. This comparison is made because these groups share some similarities with the early Kharijites, such as their strict interpretations of faith and their willingness to use force against those who disagree with them. However, this comparison is often debated, and many scholars and Muslims disagree with labeling modern groups as Kharijites.
Images for kids
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The Battle of Siffin as depicted in the 14th-century manuscript of the Tarikh-i Bal'ami
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The Battle of Nahrawan took place near the Nahrawan Canal, which ran parallel to the east bank of the Tigris.
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A 1909 photograph of the Nahrawan Canal
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Arab-Sasanian dirham of the Azariqa leader Qatari ibn al-Fuja'a, struck circa 694–695, with the Kharijite slogan la hukma illa li-llah on the obverse margin
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The Sufri Midrarid dynasty of Sijilmasa (green) lasted for around 150 years.
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The tribal origins of the identified Kharijite leaders from the Umayyad period (661–750)
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See also
In Spanish: Jariyismo para niños
