Abstract
This article is a brief introduction to Khawarij, Munafiqun, and Murtaddun, with the practical differences between them. It hopes to create a basic level of awareness for the Muslim regarding them, so he will embrace and practice Islam with clarity.
Outline
- Introduction and Background
- Islam and What it Means to be Muslim
- What Does it Mean to Leave Islam
- Who are the Khawarij
- Some Signs of the Khawarij
- Accusing Someone of Being a Khariji
- Who are the Munafiqun
- Some Signs of the Munafiqun
- Who are the Murtaddun
- The Differences Between Khawarij, Munafiqun and Murtaddun
- Conclusion
Introduction and Background
Alhamdulillah… infinite thanks and praises be to the Almighty Allah. Complete peace and blessings be upon the Master of the children of Adam, Sayyidunā Muhammad, his household, his companions and all those who follow his guided path.
In recent years, you’re likely to have heard the word ‘khawarij’ often than you’re used to. Another word earlier in history than Khawarij is ‘Munafiqun’ which has an entire Surah in the Qur’an by the name. Also, another word that falls in the same category as the previous two is Murtaddūn.
This article highlights the differences between these three different of groups (Khawarij (Khawāri), Munafiqun (Munāfiqūn) and Murtaddun (Murtaddūn)) in relation to Islam.
Theoretically, these three groups are far from one another. But technically they are all in the same basket as a destination. That’s the basket of hell. Unless the one who subscribes to any of them repents and withdraws and resubscribes back to the correct belief of Islam and live by it and die upon it. Therefore, it’s important for the Muslim to be aware of them, and then be mindful to not fall in their traps.
If that’s the case, then, what is Islam?
Islam and What it Means to be Muslim
One can’t discus about Khawarij, Munafiqun and Murtaddun without having to highlight the meaning of Islam. This is because these groups or sects can only be defined in relation to Islam. They can’t be defined in relation to other religions. While Islam rejects them, other religions may be fond of them. Because they can be very instrumental that enemies of Islam can use to cause internal conflicts among Muslims.
So, what is Islam?
Islam is the religion of Allah, through which He wants all humans to worship him and submit to Him. In other words, Islam is the same religion that was revealed to the Prophets and Messengers of Allah; Ādam, Nūḥ, Hūd, Ṣāliḥ, Idrīs, Dhul-Kifl, Ya’qūb, Mūsā, Dāwūd, ‘Īsā, Muḥammad and all the other Prophets and Messengers of Allah subḥānahū wa ta‘ālā, those known to us, as well as those unknown to us. So much so, that none of the Prophets of Allah contradicted another in their message. This is because:
إِنَّ ٱلدِّينَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْإِسْلَٰمُ
“The only true religion in Allah’s sight is Islam.” (Surah āl-‘Imran, 3:19)
These Prophets and Messengers only conveyed the message and commands of Allah. They didn’t make up teachings of their own. Therefore, they are not worshiped beside Allah subḥānahū wa ta’ālā. Simply because they had the same message from the same source, which is Allah, subḥānahū wa ta’ālā.
Islam is one. And there’s only one religion of Allah.
It’s worth emphasizing, that all the chosen Messengers and Prophets of Allah were Muslims. They were Muslims because they all called to the same cause and religion. Therefore, claiming and attributing multiple faiths or religions to Allah is simply a misguidance and manipulation of information. Thus, the Abrahamic accord is a concept created to undermine Islam.
When this submission to Allah takes place successfully in your heart as a Muslim, you become in good terms with yourself. You become peaceful. You are not deluded by any and every Tom, Dick, and Harry. You’re only guided and instructed by the Creator through his chosen Messengers, in our case, through The Prophet Muhammad ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam.
With that, when a person becomes a Muslim, he gains an absolute freedom from the slavery of all creatures and all groups, parties, and cults. He remains a slave only to the One Creator, who created him to honour him. An honour we earn based on conditions set forth by the Creator, not based on conditions we decide.
Following is a list of some related articles available here on GSalam.Net. Feel free to go through them. May you find them beneficial:
- Islam… Our Way Of Life!
- Except The Prophets Of Allah, No One Is Equal To Islam
- Islam Means … Some Practical Meanings of Islam
- 5 Reasons Why Muslims Are Sensitive About Islam
- Show Me One Favour You Do the Oxygen, Water, Food, and Islam
- How to Convert to Islam?
- Non-Muslim YouTubers Embracing Islam vs Confused Muslims
- Islam, and Love of, and for the Prophet… A Look at Maulid
- Ya Bunayya: #14 – Islam is Not Sufism, Salafism, Ikhwanism, or Talibanism
- The Effects of Basic Islamic Education in Preserving the Muslim in the Most Challenging Times Ahead
Moving forward, what does it mean to leave Islam?
What Does it Mean to Leave Islam
When the Muslim fails to fulfil the conditions of Islam willingly, that is when he falls under one of many categories outside the fold of Islam. Some of these categories may still be perceived within Islam’s household.
In the following sections, we’re highlighting three of those categories, namely: Khawarij, Munafiqun and Murtaddun.
Now let’s begin with Khawarij.
Who are the Khawarij
The Khawarij is the first sect in Islam’s household to go against the righteous leadership in Islam. They emerged in the second generation of Islam, during the era of the Ṣaḥābah (the companions of the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam). That is after the passing of the Prophet ṣallā Allaāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
In fact, they began the first Major Fitnah in Islam, the effects of which continue until this very day.
The Khawarij first emerged to protest against the leadership style of Sayyidunā Uthmān. This led them to eventually assassinating him. They then called Sayyidunā ‘Ali to be the caliph upon the killing of ‘Uthmān. Yes, Sayyidunā ‘Ali had to give in and be the Caliph, or face the same fate as ‘Uthmān’s, raḍiya Allāhu ’anhumā.
Even though they provoked the killing of ‘Uthmān, they remained alongside Sayyidunā Ali raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu against Sayyidunā Mu’āwiyah raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu. However, they went against ‘Ali himself, when he failed to entertain their demands and attempts to impose themselves on him.
Since they were organized well before the breakout of the Fitnah, the Khawarij had a significant influence on the governance of Ali. Yet, they couldn’t manipulate him to follow their wishes. This eventually led them to assassinate ‘Ali raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu as well, in the hands of a man called Abdul-Rahman ibn Muljim.
From that moment, the Khawarij evolved as a strong sect, that propagated a version of Islam that suits their demands and ideologies.
They interpreted Islamic texts to the extreme end. And whoever disagreed with them became automatically a Kafir to them.
For instance, the Khawarij opine that every sinner is a disbeliever; Kāfir. In other words, if you disagree with their interpretation of the religion, you’re automatically out of Islam.
The scariest part of Khawarij’s ideology is that they opine that it’s permissible to kill whoever disagrees with their ideology.
It’s important to highlight, that although the Kawarij emerged after the passing of the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu’alayhi wa sallam, he prophesized about their emergence. And when they emerged, they matched the exact descriptions he ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam informed about them.
Some Signs of the Khawarij
Rasūlullāh ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam described the Khawarij as a group of people who showcases an extreme level of piety. So much so, that a Muslim will ridicule his own prayers when compared with their prayer.
The Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam also said that they are the dogs of the Hellfire. Meaning; even though they are within the household of Islam, and hence they are perceived as Muslims, their destination in the Hereafter will be the Hell Fire.
He further gave glad tidings to the one who kills them, or who they kill. This means, when a person is accused of being Khawarij or a Khariji, it has serious implications. Therefore, the Muslim should refrain from condemning anyone of being a Khariji, without knowledge and proof.
Accusing Someone of Being a Khariji
In contemporary times, the stigma of being Khawarij is used to shut anyone who disagrees or criticises policies of corrupt regimes in some Muslim lands, specifically in Saudi Arabia.
Well, scholars who promote such corrupt leaders (scholars of regimes) use the incident of the first Khawarij who revolted against Sayyidunā ‘Uthmān raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu to accuse anyone who speaks against policies of corrupt rulers of Muslim lands of today. While these scholars of regimes accuse the outspoken of being Khawarij, they are, in return accused of being Madākhilah. Madākhilah (plural of Madkhalī) represent the followers of a person called Rabī’ al-Madkhalī who promotes the idea, that a ruler cannot be opposed even if he commits fornication openly on television.
As mentioned earlier, accusations of being Khariji or khawarij are severe in nature because, once a Khariji, it means, even though the person is Muslim, his blood is made halal, based on the ḥadīth, in which the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam permits for Khawarij to be killed.
Furthermore, in Islam, falling in the deviation of Khawārij is as worrisome. It’s indifferent from being outside the fold of Islam. In other words, if you accuse someone of ‘being a Khawarij’, you’re technically declaring him non-Muslim.
Unfortunately, we are living in a time when it’s easy for a Muslim to accuse his Muslim brother of being Khawarij than not. Interestingly, one may accuse another of being khawarij, not knowing that he himself is khawarij more than the one he’s accusing.
In no circumstance, should one accuse someone because so and so Shaykh says or accuses him of being Khawarij. Once someone accuses another person of being khawarij, he bears the responsibility for that accusation. He can’t offload that on someone else. So, if you are reading this, please refrain from saying “Yasir (fictional figure) is a Khārijī (Khawarij) because Yusri (fictional figure) says so. Yusri shall answer for himself. And so shall you.
Who are the Munafiqun
While there are classifications of the different groups and sects in Islam, you hardly come across a classification that classifies Munafiqun as a group or sect.
This is because, the nature of nifaq (nifāq – hypocrisy) is to be pretentious. And a pretentious person is hardly classified to any group that has loyal members and followers. But he will remain with them.
Munāfiqūn is a plural of Munāfiq, and it means hypocrites. In Islam, hypocrisy is not only showing double standards. Hypocrisy in Islam implies that a person pretends openly to be Muslim who believes in Allah and His Messenger, and does, openly all that Muslims do. However, in his private meetings and conversations, he hates Islam. In fact, in the dark, he works on destroying Islam.
إِذَا جَآءَكَ ٱلْمُنَٰفِقُونَ قَالُوا۟ نَشْهَدُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُهُۥ وَٱللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَٰفِقِينَ لَكَٰذِبُونَ.ـ
“When the hypocrites come to you, they say, “We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah.” Allah knows that you are indeed His Messenger. But Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are surely liars.” (Surah al-Munāfiqūn, 63:1).
Munafiqun is an older term or group than Khawarij. This is because it emerged the very moment the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam set his foot in the blessed land of Madinah. The head for this group was ‘Abdullāh ibn Ubay ibn Salūl.
Unless the wrongdoing of a Munafiq has fruited to expose him, there’s nothing that can be done to detect him, call him out, let alone outcast him. After all, who doesn’t err? Right? Therefore, Munāfiqūn are treated as Muslims. Only that, Allah knows them and has revealed verses in the Qur’an talking about them.
Even though a Munafiq may escape punishment for his evil deeds in this life, he won’t be spared in the Hereafter. This si because when Allah outlines the punishment for evildoers, He always group the Munāfiqūn with the disbelievers. In fact, Munāfiqūn are catergorized to be worse than the disbelievers.
إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَٰفِقِينَ فِى ٱلدَّرْكِ ٱلْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ وَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيرًا * إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ وَأَصْلَحُوا۟ وَٱعْتَصَمُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَأَخْلَصُوا۟ دِينَهُمْ لِلَّهِ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ مَعَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۖ وَسَوْفَ يُؤْتِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا.ـ
“The Munafiqūn shall surely be in the lowest depth of the Fire; and you will find no helper for them. Except those who repent and mend their ways, who hold fast to Allah and are sincere in their worship of Allah will be joined with the believers; and Allah will bestow a great reward upon the believers.” (Sūrha al-Nisā’, 4:146).
Some Signs of the Munafiqun
It’s important to indicate that nifāq/hypocrisy has levels and types. The worst form is when one lives within the Muslim community, marries from them, eats and drinks with them, prays with them, and gets buried by them upon his death. Yet, he works on destroying Islam from within, strengthening enemies of Islam from the outside.
If a person is involved in this, then he falls under the most dangerous levels of nifāq. Those who do it knowingly hardly turn around and repent. But if one does it out of ignorance, or against his will whatsoever, then he should be informed, that doing so has implications.
وَإِذَا لَقُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ شَيَٰطِينِهِمْ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا مَعَكُمْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُسْتَهْزِءُونَ * ٱللَّهُ يَسْتَهْزِئُ بِهِمْ وَيَمُدُّهُمْ فِى طُغْيَٰنِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ .ـ
“When they meet those who believe, they say, “We believe.” But when they are alone with their evil leaders, they say, “We are really with you; we were only mocking.” God will requite them for their mockery, and draw them on, for a while, to wander blindly in their insolence.” (Sūrah al-Baqarah, 2:14-15).
Even though hypocrites display the conducts and attitudes of genuine Muslims, they have some symptoms that give some hints about them. Check my article, 15 Common Characteristics of the Hypocrites to learn those characteristics.
Who are the Murtaddun
A Murtadd is anyone who openly and willingly apostates out of Islam. Regardless of the reason, if this happens to in an Islamic state, a Murtadd is counseled, to determine the state of his mind.
This is important, because, sometimes, some people apostate because of some psychological problems they’re experiencing. Anyone who falls in this category is given the relevant treatment he needs.
However, upon counseling and evaluation, if a person’s apostation is genuine, then in Islam, he’s sentenced to death. And this is only applicable in an Islamic state.
This means, outside an Islamic state, like we’re living in today, a person may apostate out of his own will. And no punishment may be carried on him. However, if later on he comes back to Islam, he’ll be accepted as a new Muslim. Whether he’s honest in doing so or otherwise, that’s up to Allah to decide.
The Differences Between Khawarij, Munafiqun and Murtaddun
As you have seen, the differences between Khawarij, Munafiqun and Murtaddun are clear. However, it can be a little confusing.
Khawarij are known and their followers take pride in what they do. Besides the fact that they believe they uphold the best form of Islam. Their stances are public, and they justify their actions with texts from the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Most importantly to them, as long as one commits sins, he is a Kāfir… out of the fold of Islam.
Yet, they’re the dogs of hell.
Meanwhile, Munafiqun are the lowest of all in cowardice. They lack the courage to make public what they live for. They forever pretend to be Muslims. Yet they serve every anti-Islamic agenda. They live with us. They eat our food and drink our water. They marry our sisters and daughters. Some of them are even leaders in our communities and make decisions for us and on our behalf. When they die, we have the social responsibility to carry out their funeral rites and pray on them.
Yet, they shall be in the lowest level of hell.
As for Murtuddun, once a person declares himself as a Murtadd, he is known to be outside the fold of Islam. In fact, he does to be able to go out of Islam and pursue his heart desires. When this happens, relevant actions are taken aginst him depending on situations and circumstances.
If he dies as a non-Muslim, he’ll be gathered together with the Khawarij and Munafiqun, I mean in hell.
Conclusion
As you’ve seen, when we talk about Munafiqun, Khawarij as well as Murtaddun, we’re talking about groups that live within, or have experienced living within the Muslim community. We’re not talking about any group which has never experienced been Muslim, regardless of what their names are.
As far as Islam is concerned, every non-Muslim, individual or group is a disbeliever. However, being a disbeliever simply means disbelieving in what Muslims believe in. It’s not, by any means an insult by default. It’s just a description. Just like it’s not an insult to be called a foreigner if one is not a citizen of a certain country. In fact, outside that country, there’re tons of citizens and dozens of citizenships. All these citizens and citizenships combined are foreigners and foreign from the perspective of former country.
I hope this piece has succeeded in shedding light on three different groups, which have or had close relations with Islam. If so, kindly share in the comments how these groups have ever come in touch with you. You may want to share how clear you are about them now, before reading this piece.
In the end, I pray that Allah preserves our faith for us, and grants of us a good ending each.
If you have read this article to this point, then kindly let the discussion continue on Facebook.
Allah knows best.
Allahu Hafiz 🙂
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