“My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.” (Qur’an 20:14)
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I came across this very excellent article that should be truly eye opening for many.
The article titled: BRANDING THE ENEMY: THE “KHARIJITE” LABEL AND THE LEGITIMATION OF STATE POWER by Jordan T. Penland, clearly shows how the label of kharijite or khawarij has been used as a political dog-whistle past and present.
I think this was a well put together paper. After giving a brief overview of the past events using the account given by Tabari (himself by no means unbiased) we get the “Master Narrative.”
It shows how this terminology has been coined and used by the state apparatus from the time of the Umayyads until the present time as a pejorative boogeyman to quell rebellion, dissent, excommunicate and even stir up violence against one’s political opponents.
Interestingly enough, in my own interactions as a Muslim, and before knowing the real history of the so called “khawarij” I remember the label being used by Sufis to describe Salafis and Deobandis. I know of some who ascribe this to Sufis. I know of Madhkali Salafis who ascribe this to label basically anyone that would challenge the state apparatus.
I was completely unaware and found it interesting that ISIL/ISIS would accuse Al Qaeda of being Khawarij! That Al Qaeda in turn accused ISIL/ISIS of being Khawarij! That there were internal divisions with-in ISIL/ISIS where they used the label as a means to quell dissent in their ranks over a division over an aqidah point!
You may also be interested in the following:
Khawarij: The Reality or Legend?
Series: 1-3
https://primaquran.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/al-khawarij-reality-or-legend-1.doc
https://primaquran.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/alkhawarij-reality-or-legend-2.doc
May Allah (swt) guide the Ummah! May Allah (swt) protect the Ummah!
Prima Quran 