The Resurgence of “Khawariji Fitnah” after 13 centuries
by Aftab Ahmad Khan
A Note from WoP: For our readers who are not conversant with the early periods of Islamic history, here is a brief on the conspirators called the ‘Khawarij’.
After the ‘wisaal’ of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his trusted companions and followers (the first four) were elected caliphs through a consensus of all Muslims. However, at the end of the caliphate of Hazrat Umar, there arose a group of extremists who disputed first the caliphate of of Hazrat Uthman (under self concocted pretexts and prejudices), in favour of Hazrat Ali but later turned against him as well.
Being extremists in interpretations of Islam, which they believed correct as against the majority of Muslims (whom they equated with the infidels) they were called the Khawarij. In the following post Aftab Ahmad Khan discusses the origin of this group, their mindset and their perilous role in any Islamic society. After quoting Ayaat from the Holy Qur’an, the writer concludes that theso called Taliban of Pakistan are actually a cult (not the knowledge seekers which the word Taliban connotates) and thus are akin to the Khawarij of the early period of Islam.
In a later period of Islamic history, we see once again the movement led by Hassan- ibn-e- Sabah, who created a paradise for his followers, the fidayeen as they were called, who were ready to kill Sabah’s enemies or otherwise would commit suicide by piercing sword into their own body. As an analogy, these fidayeen of Ibn-e-Sabah were similar to the suicide bombers of today.
The psycho-analysis of such groups or cults shows the very maniac nature of such sects, groups or lashkars, a manifestation which we see nowadays in the modus operandi of the so called Tehrik-e-Taliban, Pakistan and their ideological masters like Sufi Muhammad, who neither accept the constitution of Pakistan, nor do they believe in the national political structure and even challenge the majority of Islamic scholars.
Theirs is a case of typical paranoia, a phenomenon which needs to be curbed as forcefully, as was done during the rule of the third and the fourth caliph.
Hazrat Ali (Allah be pleased with him), the fourth caliph fought and crushed the Khawarij. However, it took 200 years for the Muslims to eliminate this menace though not totally. It has resurfaced now in Pakistan. Dr. Mufti Sarfraz Naeemi is the latest victim of their brutality — how long will it take us to eliminate them and at what cost is a matter of conjecture only…
‘Taliban’ of Pakistan is a misnomer. Let’s Call Them “Khawarji”
So, People area waking up to the reality.
On May 22, the Swat versity’s VC Dr. Muhammad Farooq named these TTP hoodlums as the ‘khawarijis’ of today.
So said Dr. Farooq, the Taliban of Pakistan (TTP) are the ‘khawarijis’ who totally differ with the beliefs of Muslims at large. In his keynote address at a roundtable on the Swat situation at the Pakistan Institute of National Affairs here in Lahore, with Maj. Gen. Kh Rahat Latif in the chair, he said the Taliban and Soofi Muhammad were at the same wavelength in their understanding of Islam. Both condemned the constitution, democracy and women education as ‘shirk’ (polytheism) and were determined to destroy the ‘Taghooti Nizam’ (the evil system of infidels) and enforce their version of Shari’a at gunpoint.
Dr. Farooq further said that Pakistani version of Taliban had the most advanced arms and communication system and were financed by all anti-Pakistani forces. Moreover, Russia, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, India and the USA too had strategic interest in this part of Pakistan, which also cannot be ignored.
‘Taliban’-The Misnomer Let’s Call Them “Khawarij”
“We should STOP calling them ‘Taliban’; they should be called ‘Khawarij’ or ‘Khwariji of Pakistan’. The Ayaat (verses) of Qur’an being violated by them should be given wide coverage. It is VERY IMPORTANT that the intellectuals, as well as electronic and print media should again take the lead to give moral and religious ascendancy to the soldiers that, they are fighting the enemies of Islam and Pakistan.
The killing of innocent people in Swat, Dir and other places in FATA and all over the country in the name of Shari’a or Islam, is commonly perceived to have linkage with the militancy of religious fanatics, the aftermath of Afghan War against USSR and oppression of Islamists under the pretext of the war against terror after 9/11 led by the US and her allies. The Drone attacks (here, here and here) by the US, resulting in a huge collateral damage have added further fuel to this fire. While on the face of it, this perception cannot be denied, there is a need to look at it deeper from another perspective, inflexibility, the hallmark of all militants who normally get linked into the ‘Cult’ phenomenon.
Tehrik Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is a Cult:
Let us analyze what the word ‘Cult’ stands for? According to Oxford dictionary ‘Cult’ means: “to inhabit, cultivate, and protect, honour with worship; Worship; reverential homage rendered to a divine being. A system of religious worship, especially as expressed in ceremonies, rituals, etc. Cult is the devotion or homage paid to a person or thing; especially a fashionable enthusiasm; a transient fad of an in-group.” The Cult leaders have different views form the majority and rigidly adhere to them. The scholars hold that one should be very careful to use world ‘Cult’ because while the word cult originally was intended to be neutral and innocent, since Jim Jones in 1978 provoked mass suicide among his followers, many have associated cults with killing.
That assumption, state the scholars, is unfair to all those who belong to quite peaceful and harmless movements. Yet no one has settled on a satisfactory alternative term, though some speak of ‘New Religious Movements’.
Before Operation started last month, the TTP forced barbers to display such signs “Shaving is Prohibited”
Why do these cults exist? Human action, especially responses to leaders who invoke the sacred, the divine, is always complex. Cult followers tend to be people who are unsatisfied by the complexities, contradictions, and ambiguities of life including life as interpreted by the mainstream religions. They seek answers, and the modern world, with its pluralism and its rapid communications, can confuse them and undercut their belief systems and their “orthodox” communities. The cult leader offers a single answer, keeps the rest of the world at bay, and reinforces only “One Belief System” as advocated and preached by him. The history of all the religions is full of ‘cults’, the most recent being ‘Doomsday Cults’ in Christendom.
Cult Leaders suffer from Paranoia (are just maniacs)
The cult leader or leaders may be suffering from the psychological disorder like Paranoia syndrome, or mania. These disorders are usually restricted to just two abnormalities of mood depression and elation, or mania. (Mood is a predominant emotion that colours the individual’s entire psychic life.) Mania is characterized by an elated or euphoric mood, quickened thought and accelerated, loud or voluble speech, over-optimism and heightened enthusiasm and confidence, inflated self-esteem, heightened motor activity, irritability, excitement, and a decreased need for sleep. The manic individual may become injured, commit illegal acts, or suffer financial losses due to the poor judgment and risk-taking behaviour he displays when in the manic state.
These outlaws (erroneously named Taliban by the western media) have repeatedly been advised by all the religious scholars of repute that; while their demands for the implementation of Shari’a are genuine, the methodology adopted by them to achieve their objectives through militancy is wrong because it challenges the very writ of state, which results in absolute anarchy (fassad fil ardh), but they decline to compromise.
Question arises then what are the Taliban?
The term Taliban [plural of Talib, (the seeker of religious knowledge, a student, particularly of Islamic knowledge), is generally used for the students of Madrassah (religious seminary). The term ‘Taliban’ was started to be used for the militant group of students and religious leaders who established the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in 1994-96, to end the lengthy civil war following the withdrawal of the Soviets from the region in 1989. Led by Mullah Omar, they promoted Islam as a moral, sable, and orderly alternative to civil war, ethnic divisions, and warring tribal chiefs. They followed strict, literal and conservative interpretations of Islam including the implementation of Hadud punishments.
Influenced primarily by Wahabi (Deobandi) teachings and Pashtun tribal tradition, the regime was denounced by international human rights organizations for absolute segregation of women and violation of human rights. Though they were initially welcomed by the people of Afghanistan for restoring peace, they, however, could not last long after 9/11, and that period is now part of history. However they continued to oppose US and NATO forces in Afghanistan. The situation in Pakistan, a sovereign Islamic State is totally different than Afghanistan. Some ambitious and misguided local elements are being used by the enemies of Pakistan and Islam, against the state to weaken or dismember the sole nuclear Islamic state of 17 million dynamic people with strategic location and resources. Calling these criminal and misguided, semi-literate people having no link with the basic teachings of Islam, as Taliban is a misnomer, which must be stopped forthwith. The Army and people are now fighting against them, the moral and religious aspect must be defined in clearest possible terms, because our soldiers and people are devout Muslims, there should not be an iota of doubt in their minds that they are on right side fighting for the safety and security of Muslims and Islam. Let us see; what is the alternative?
Who are the Khawarij and what is a khawariji Fitna?
In Muslim history some Cults are linked with the term ‘Fitnah’ (‘trial,’ or ‘test’, which refer to heretical uprisings, especially the first major internal struggle within the Muslim community (656-661 C.E), that resulted in both civil war and religious schism. During the reign of the third caliph, ‘Uthman, certain rebellious groups accused the Caliph of nepotism and misrule, and the resulting discontent led to his assassination. The rebels then recognized the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, ‘Ali, as ruler but later deserted him and fought against him as well, they were called Khawarij. The word Kharaju, from which Khariji is derived, means “to withdraw” and Khawarij were, therefore, seceders who believed in active dissent or rebellion against a state of affairs they considered to be gravely impious.
The basic doctrine of the Khawarij was that: “A person or a group who committed a grave error or sin and did not sincerely repent ceased to be Muslim”. According to them mere profession of the faith “there is no god but God; Muhammad is the prophet of God” did not make a person a Muslim unless this faith was accompanied by righteous deeds. In other words, good works were an integral part of faith and not extraneous to it. The second principle that flowed from their aggressive idealism was militancy, or Jihad, which the Khawarij considered to be among the cardinal principles, or pillars, of Islam. Contrary to the orthodox view, they interpreted the Qur’anic command about “enjoining good and forbidding evil” (Qur’an;3:104) to mean the vindication of truth through the sword. The placing of these two principles together made the Khawarij highly inflammable fanatics, intolerant of almost any established political authority. They incessantly resorted to rebellion and as a result were virtually wiped out during the first two centuries of Islam. Although till recently Chasidism has been considered essentially a story of the past, which left permanent influence on Islam, because of reaction against it, it forced the religious leadership of the community to formulate a bulwark against religious intolerance and fanaticism.
So Who is Violating Qur’an?
No Muslim by the name will ever dare to reject the Commandments of Allah, clearly mentioned in Qur’an and Hadith, some are:
Mischief on land condemned by Allah: Allah says: “.. and do not seek mischief in the land, for Allah does not love the mischief makers.”(Al-Qasas; 28:77). Allah says: “When it is said to them: “Do not make mischief on earth,” they say: “We make peace. Be aware! They are the ones who make mischief but they do not realize it.”(Al-Baqara; 2:11-12 similarly also at 2:60, 206, 3:63, 7:56)
Killing of innocent human (Muslim or non Muslims) is not permitted: Allah says: “..whosoever kills a person, except as a punishment for murder or mischief in the land, it will be written in his book of deeds as if he had killed all the humankind and whosoever will save a life shall be regarded as if he gave life to all the human beings..”(Al Maidah, 5:32); Allah says: “You shall not kill anyone whom God has forbidden, except for just cause under the law. If anyone is killed unjustly, We have granted the right of retribution to his heir, but let him not carry his vengeance too far in killing the culprit through taking the law in his own hands, as he is supported by the law.”(Al-Israa;17:33).
Fighting permitted in self defence with in limits – No Transgression: Allah says: “Fight in the cause of Allah with those who fight against you, but do not exceed the limits. Allah does not like transgressors.”(Qur’an, Al Baqarah; 2:190).
Kindness to Non Combatants: Allah says:
“As for such of the unbelievers who do not fight against you on account of your faith, and neither drive you forth from your homelands, Allah does not forbid you to show them kindness and to behave toward them with full equity.”(Qur’an, Al Mumtahana; 60:8).
Suicide is not Permissible in Islam : Allah says: “.. do not cast yourselves into destruction by your own hands…” (Al-Baqarah, 2:195); Allah says: “..do not kill yourselves by adopting unlawful means….”(An-Nisa,4:29).Narrated Thabit bin Ad Dahhak: The Prophet said; “whoever commits suicide with something, will be punished with the same thing in the (Hell) fire”.(Sahih Al Bukhari Hadith Numbr:8.126). Narrated Jabir ibn Samurah: (The dead body) of a person who had killed himself with a broad-headed arrow was brought before the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him), but he did not offer prayers for him.(Sahih Muslim Hadith. Number.486).
Killing by Burning Not Allowed: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said: It is none but Allah Who punishes with fire, so, if you find them (enemies), kill them (in combat).(Sahih Al Bukhari, Hadith, Number.4.259). Narrated Ikrima :
Mutilation of the Dead Bodies is Prohibited : Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) prohibited to mutilate the dead bodies. (Sahih Muslim Hadith.804).
Prohibitions-of Killing Religious People, Women, Children, Aged, Sick People, Animals and Cutting Trees in Military Expeditions: Islam forbade killing of innocents. Narrated Abdullah: During some of the ghazawat (Islamic battles) of the Prophet a woman was found killed. Allah’s Apostle disapproved and forbade the killing of women and children. (Sahih Al Bukhari, Hadith, Number.4.257,258). Abu Bakr advised Yazid, the commander of Muslim Military Expeditions to Sham (Syria): “You will find a people who claim to have totally given themselves to Allah. Leave them to what they claim to have given themselves. You will find a people who have shaved the middle of their heads, strike what they have shaved with the sword. “I advise you ten things: Do not kill women or children or an aged, infirm person. Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees. Do not destroy an inhabited place. Do not slaughter sheep or camels except for food. Do not burn bees and do not scatter them. Do not steal from the booty, and do not be cowardly.” (Al Muwata Hadith, Number;21.10).
Freedom of Faith-No Compulsion: Allah says “Let there be no compulsion in religion: truth stands out Clear from error: Whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the Most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.”(Qur’an;2:256).
Disregarding the Ayaat (Quranic Verses) :
Allah says: “Those whose all efforts in this worldly life had gone astray from the Right Way, but all along they were under the delusion that they were doing good deeds; they are the ones who are disregarding the Ayaat (revelations, verses) of their Lord and the fact that they will meet Him for accountability of their deeds in the Hereafter, so their deeds will become null and will not carry any weight on the Day of Judgment.”(Qur’an;18:104-105)
The Parallels
Khawarij comes frmot he root kharaja and has connatations of reblling against a legitimate leadership, such as the khawarij of old who rebelled against the legitimate islamic leadership of Ali (ra). Who is the legitimate leadership the Taliban are rebelling against? The secular unIslamic puppet-to-America Zardari regime? Surely not.
Hassan! you do have a point about present regime who is blindly towing the line of American Raj, just what ‘Busharraf’ was doing in his tenure. But opposition to a regime doesn’t mean one should take up the gun and start pointing it at the innocent populace, burn schools, close barber shops, and demand girls not to go to schools at all. If Taliban, a part of whom could be like Khawarij of early period of Islam, do the same thing i.e. enforcement of Islamic practices which they interpret as the only truth, then nobody would and no body should endorse them.
To approve what these so called Taliban are doing simply because of Zardari being in the government and for that matter anybody else doesn’t solve the issue.
Here the question is not to oppose or support one party or another, the main question is certain basis principles, of statehood, social norms in the society and requirements of a new century, a new millennium. We must look forward, not backward.
Author is attepmting to divert and mislead the attention of the readers by relating the definition of Taliban to the history of Islam.Taliban are Taliban produced of the Madarsas of Pakistan and being produced elsewhere by the same.They are ofcouse related to the history of Islam in respect of intolrence, forced conversion. and armed attack what the followers of Islam has committed in the past.They have disintegrated and still trying to disintegrate a nation ( Kasmir ) on the name of religion.The presant senario is the repercussions of the past. Face it and try to rectify the Islamic past. Plz. Dont go away from the reality. One has very rightly stated ~ As you will sow so will you reap~
Am sure India’s mainstream would not subscribe to such views. Taliban’s definition (to some extent) put forward by the writer is quite logical, he himself says this is one aspect which should also not be overlooked.
In depth analysis of the groups fighting the law and the people in our north are not one and the same thing. Each group has its own axe to grind. They have been clubbed as Taliban which is in fact a misnomer. Talib in Urdu means a knowledge seeker and mostly it is the students of religious seminaries who are called Taliban (plural of Talib).
Real knowledge seekers neither hide their faces, not do they slit the throats of innocent people. The elements discussed in the post are mostly illiterate, semi illiterate renegades who erroneously call themselves as Taliban.
I do not agree with you that Islam was an instrument of force. If Muslim rulers used force, repression or harshness in the administration of their kingdoms, so did kings from other religions / faiths as well.
Talking of Kashmir or religion being used to disintegrate a nation, then let us fact all the facts. No nation can be disintegrated either by religion, language, race or geography until and unless peoples’ rights are protected. Through history, nations have been formed, reformed, reshaped and the main cause of these changes was mostly injustice, mismanagement and deprivation of peoples’ rights. We have so many instances where even kings gave justice to people and people did give their whole hearted support to that ruler. Just take the case of Punjab’s Maharaja Ranjit Singh, he was a Sikh by faith but had Muslim as well as Hindu ministers in his cabinet. Though an astute Sikh, in state administration and in general outlook towards his subjects, he was a real secular.
We can’t be specific on this issue. Endless arguments and counter arguments can be forwarded in this regard. So let’s not blame the history. It has two sides of the coin always, everywhere.
What we need is not the super patriots. Such breed we have on both sides of the border. What we wish is: instead of blaming and counter blaming let’s think in terms of a South Asian approach, which in the first stage would be on peaceful borders, people to people dialogue, then utilizing the full potential of trade and economic cooperation and side by side there should be a peaceful solution to disputes that are lingering since so many years between the countries of South Asia.
Taliban can not be defeated.why? What is the need to boost the moral of such elements? Why we cant appreciate the on going action of world community under the leadership of US and NATO army. why the terrorist after death becomes innocent civilian? These are the questions, has to be answered by all those who are responsible for masking or justifing and overlooking the adverse impact of the preachings being delivered by mullas in defferent Madersas and are responsible for the production of Taliban.If one feel that his or her country is known for super ldeals in the world,then he should feel proud to be called as supper nationalist .Such patritiosism should not be critisised but deserves sallute from all right thinking people around the world.I will welcome only the efforts of such people in normalising the relation between India and Pakistan.Those who play dual game should not be allowed to play their game in the process to ensure the lasting peace between the two neighbours.Unity in diversity certainly demands no compromise on certain issues and there should be no room for all thouse who are expert in changing their colours according to the situation and circumstances.I have great respect to all those who wish a cordial relation between the two parts of a devided nation .but we have to go miles ahead to reach the destiny as acheived by East and west Germany.Hence we should not be in hurrry.
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