Chapter: Condemnation of the Kharijites and Their Evil Doctrines, the Permissibility of Fighting Them, and the Reward of Those Who Kill Them or Are Killed by Them

Muhammad ibn al-Husayn said: Scholars, past and present, have never differed that the Kharijites are an evil people, disobedient to Allah Most High and His Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Even though they pray, fast, and strive diligently in worship, none of that benefits them. Indeed, they outwardly profess to enjoin right and forbid wrong, but that does not benefit them, for they are a people who interpret the Quran according to their whims and deceive the Muslims. Allah Most High has warned us against them, and the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—warned us against them. After him, the Rightly Guided Caliphs warned us against them, as did the Companions—may Allah be pleased with them—and those who followed them faithfully. The Kharijites are the Shurāt, the impure and defiled, and whoever follows their doctrine from among