Erasing the Accusation of Shirk

him peace); many set out in a search for enlightenment and knowledge and meet people
belonging to the Khwaarij Sect. The people of this sect always highlight the importance
of ‘amal (good deeds) and are very firm in their own practice, they will have beards on
their faces and piety in their clothes and actions, Salah will be given the utmost
importance and they will have revised many quotations of the Qur’an (often on the topic
of shirk!). Their evidences for any matter will be given from the Qur’an (which they take
out of context); they have a huge concern for the Ummah at large; they think that they are
the only ones who truly care for the suffering Ummah when this is clearly not true. Upon
seeing this, the sincere people looking for a path are often very impressed by the
Khwaarij sect, their extreme piety and ‘knowledge’ of the Qur’an will blind you from
seeing their reality. However the Holy Prophet ( may Allah bless him and grant him
peace) in his great wisdom warned us of these very people centuries ago as he said:
Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Holy Prophet said:
“A nation will appear, many of them will be young and they will be brainwashed; they
shall try to prove everything from the Qur’an, they will seem very pious, their slogans
and aims will seem very attractive, however they shall be far from the deen.” 7
It is very difficult for people nowadays, particularly the youth to avoid this particular
sect. Especially when they are receiving much praise and support from influential people
such as sportsmen and ex-singers; but it is essential to remember that even though they
may present the correct slogans of Tawhid, Qur’an and Jihad, their intentions are
incorrect and they lack the most important thing in our deen: love. Love for the Prophets
and the Pious, for without this mahabba we are lost and empty.
To say these people are wrong and to not fall into their trap is very difficult.
THE SAHABAH (COMPANIONS OF THE HOLY PROPHET) WERE ALSO TESTED
Indeed it is a struggle for us to stand up to these people and face them; it is a huge test
and we are being tested just as the sahabah (companions) were tested. Great companions
such as ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) were tested. It was during the
time of Sayyidina ‘Ali ( may Allah be pleased with him) that the Khwaarij sect first
appeared and since then they have been developing to this day. The Khwaarij were the
unfortunate, confused people when they accused ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib (m ay Allah be
pleased with him), the cousin of the Holy Prophet of committing Shirk and Bid’ah
(innovation in Islam). The Khwaarij taunted Sayyidina ‘Ali and many of the other
companions with this accusation and would insult and embarrass them day in day out.
Sayyidina ‘Ali and the other Muslims of the time were faced with a huge trial; they tried
to rationalise with them and preserve patience, but even for a great personality of Islam
such as Sayyidina ‘Ali (m ay Allah be pleased with him) it was just too much! The
7 Fath al-Bari, chapter on “Khawarij” by Hafidh Asqalani and Nayn al-Awtar, chapter on “Khawarij,” by
Qadi Shawkani.
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