for the Khārijites do pronounce the takbīr, perform the prayer, and recite the Qur’an. Do you not remember the ḥadīth of Abū Umāmah—may Allah be pleased with him—when he entered the mosque of Damascus and saw there the severed heads of some Khārijites? He said to Abū Ghālib al-Ḥimṣī, “O Abū Ghālib, these are people from your land, and I wanted to let you know who they are: they are the dogs of Hellfire, the worst who have ever been killed beneath the canopy of heaven.” Abū Umāmah was weeping as he spoke.

Abū Ghālib asked, “O Abū Umāmah, what makes you weep? They were Muslims, yet you say about them what I am hearing.” He replied, “It is about these people that Allah Most High says:

‘On the Day when faces will be bright and faces will be dark; as for those whose faces are dark, (it will be said), “Did you disbelieve after your faith? Then taste the punishment for what you used to deny!” But as for those whose faces are bright, they will be in Allah’s mercy, therein they shall abide forever.’ (Qur’an 3:106-107)

Abū Ghālib then said to him, “Is this something you are saying from your own mind, or did you hear it from the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him?” He answered, “Had I not heard it from him once, or twice, or three times—indeed up to seven times—I would never have reported it to you.”