Among the hypocritical heretics who joined the Rāfidah (1) were the Ismailis, the Nusayris, and others (2) of their kind who would never have dared to join the ranks of the Khawārij, for the Khawārij were devout worshippers who exercised religious scrupulousness. The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said of them:

“Each of you will regard his own prayer as insignificant beside theirs [and his fasting beside theirs].” (3)—and so on to the end of the hadith (4).

How, then, can these Rāfidah compare with the Khawārij?

Some among the Rāfidah are devoted worshippers, scrupulous and ascetic, but in this regard they do not compare with other heterodox groups. The Mu‘tazilah are more intelligent, more learned, and more religious than they are, and lying and wickedness are less prevalent among them than among the Rāfidah. The Zaydīs among the Shī‘ah are better than they are: they are closer to truthfulness, justice, and knowledge (5). Among the heterodox groups, none are more truthful or more devoted to worship than the Khawārij.

Despite this, Ahl al-Sunnah deal with them justly and equitably and do not wrong them, for injustice is absolutely forbidden, as stated previously. Indeed, Ahl al-Sunnah treat every one of these groups better than its own members treat one another. They are even better and more just toward the Rāfidah than some Rāfidah are toward others.

They themselves acknowledge this and say, “You accord us a fairness (6) that is not accorded