AL-KHAWARIJ

Khawarij, Khariji is one that departs, dissenter, Kharijites. They are the members of Muslim secessionist sect establishing a radically democratic and puritan reform community in the 7th century (Webster Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged). Shia which means party is a group originating from the arguments over leadership of the community after Mohammed’s death (The Encyclopaedia Americana International Edition, USA, 2002).

Clearly, the Khawarij may also be the Shia, Shi’ites who sallied forth in defiance to the assumption to caliphate of the Umayyad’s. It is because obviously the forerunners to the station, five in a row, were related to the prophet Mohammed, peace upon him. Be it in-law or in blood. Thus, Shi’ites could have descended from the bloodline of the prophet Muhammed, peace upon him. This poetic piece of the Qur’an is quite glaring substantiation to the idea of the Shi’ite. Their shadows may mean descendants, mornings may mean children and young ones, and afternoons may mean the middle and old aged.

“And to Allah (alone) falls in prostration whoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and so do their shadows in the mornings and in the afternoons (Surah 13:15), and “whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, such are they who will be the successful” (Surah59:9)

In the 7th century, after the death of the prophet Muhammed, peace upon him, a void was left to his position as a leader of a Sunni community. It is a population of believers in Islam. This was initially filled by his friend and father-in-law Abu Bakr. He was the father of Aisha who was the second wife of Muhammed, peace upon him. After Abu Bakr, the leadership was passed on to three more unidentified Muslims. The same post was accepted by Ali the son-in-law of Muhammed, peace upon him. He is the husband of Fatima.

Fatima was the daughter of Muhammed, peace upon him, with Kadija. Kadija was the first wife of Muhammed, peace upon him. These events took place from 632 to 661. They were called the caliphs or the defenders of faith. It was after the death of Ali the son-in-law of the prophet Muhammed, peace upon him, that nonconformist to the set of Islamic community values arise as a result of rivalry over the position (Perry et. al, 1989).

Khawarij in Arabic Kharijite meaning one that departs, dissenter, a member of a Muslim secessionist sect establishing a radically democratic reform community in the 7th century (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged). It can then be synonymous to Shia. The group that originated over leadership disputes of the community (The Encyclopaedia Americana International Edition USA, 2002).

There were two contenders to the Caliphate then. First, the Umayyad’s who were a family of power (Perry, 1989). They succeeded in assuming the leadership. Second, were the group called the Shi’a, Shi’ites, proponents of ascendancy (Perry et. al, 1989). They must be the descendants of the prophet Muhammad, peace upon him. They tried but failed to retake the post (Perry et. al., 1989). Eventually they turned out into Khawarij because they departed. They established a radically democratic and puritanical reform community (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged). They adopted some philosophies. They evolved practices different from those of traditional Muslims, known as the Sunni. They did not acknowledge the Umayyad’s (Perry et. al. 1989).

Over the years, the Umayyad’s held the highest position of the caliphate. It gained the support of the greater part of Muslims who were all Arabs (Perry, 1989). So, they to all intents and purposes made extensive triumph escalating Muslim dominion. However, the Umayyad’s never saw their inaccuracy. First, it repositioned the Muslim seat of power from Mecca to Damascus in Syria. Second, it gave only Arabs the holdings of prominent positions in the hierarchy. This was to the bitterness of its new members. They were the Persians, Syrians, Egyptians and others who are not Arabs.

In 750, after about 89 years, it was overthrown by its own followers. It was replaced by the Abbasid’s, a probable Kharijite, Khawarij, The Muslim Empire carried on doing well and thrived under the new leadership. It was marked by prosperous trade and travel. Science, art, and learning intensified. But, it transferred the Muslim capital again in about thirteen years. This time it was to Baghdad, Iraq in 763. The Abbasid’s led the Muslim believers for 500 years. They picked their rank and file from their members regardless of nationality or race. They expanded their control over India, China, all over Africa, most of Spain, Europe, Syria, and Persia called Iran today, Egypt, and Asia. They ruled as caliphs from 750-1258 achieving loftiness through the end of its period of influence.

Perry (p. 213, 1989), presented this brief timetable of Islamic Civilization as follows: 622 – Muhammed, peace upon him, and his followers left Mecca – the Hegira; 632 – The Caliphs began to extend Islamic power; 661 - The assassination of Ali divided the Muslims into Shi’ites and Sunni; 732 – The Muslim advance in Europe was halted at Tours; 763 – The Abbasid court moved to Baghdad; 1220 – Genghis Khan Led the Mongol invasion of the Muslim world; 1258 – The Mongols took Baghdad, ending the Abbasid rule; 1453 – the Ottoman Turks capture Constantinople; and 1526 – Suleiman led Ottoman forces into South - eastern Europe (Perry, 1989).

Today, the Shi’ites, unmistakably Kharijites, Khawarij, the apparent descendants of the prophet Muhammed, peace upon him, reign over Iran, a land of largely advocates that was some time ago called Persia, a brainteaser. But, its adherents are already prevalent. It is not ruled by a caliph but by a religious leader who was swayed into power after its predecessor, a Shah left in 1979. It had survived the rigors of time, wrought with decadence and is now taking a crack at its place in the global circuits of economic entities. Indeed, the unfathomable, vast mysteries can only be spelled out in the life after this world if you have faith in Allah subhanah wata ala.

References:
Perry, Marvin, Daniel F. Davis, Jeannette G. Harris, Theodore H. Von Laue, & Donald Warren Jr. A History of the World. Revised Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company. 1989. 210-213.
Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali, Dr. Muhammad & Muhsin Khan, Dr Muhammad. The Noble Qur’an. S13: 15; 59: 9.

The Encyclopaedia Americana International Edition U.S.A. 2002.

Webster’s Third World New International Dictionary, Unabridged