and the best of those who remained. Yet hearts were divided and the flames of strife were raging. No agreement was reached, the community was not united, and the caliph and the best members of the Muslim community were unable to accomplish all the good they intended. Some people became embroiled in division and strife, and events unfolded as they did, until the renegade Harūriyyah emerged, despite their abundant prayers, fasting, and recitation. They fought the Commander of the Faithful, ʿAlī, and those with him. He therefore killed them at the command of Allah and His Messenger, in obedience to the words of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), who described them as follows:

“Each of you would consider his prayer insignificant beside theirs, his fasting beside theirs, and his recitation beside theirs. They recite the Quran, but it does not go beyond their throats. They pass out of Islam as an arrow passes through its quarry. Wherever you encounter them, kill them, for whoever kills them will have a reward with Allah on the Day of Resurrection.”

And his words:

“A faction will break away at a time of division among the Muslims. They will be killed by whichever of the two groups is nearer to the truth.”

It is recorded in the two Sahīh collections.

These Harūriyyah were thus the faction that broke away, while there was division among the believers. Fighting among believers does not take them outside the faith, as Allah Most High says:

“If two groups of believers fight, make peace between them. But if one of them transgresses against the other, fight the transgressing group until it returns to Allah’s command. If it returns, make peace between them with justice, and be equitable. Indeed, Allah loves those who act equitably.”

“The believers are but brothers, so make peace between your brothers.”

Thus He, glorified and exalted, made clear that, despite their fighting and the aggression of some of them