Zaid Hamid: Khawarij Phenomenon -- BrassTacks Policy Paper

POLICY PAPER

THE PHENOMENON OF KHAWARIJ A Case Study of Iraq & Pakistan

BrassTacks | Syed Zaid Zaman Hamid

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CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................................................. 2 ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................................................................. 3 REVISITING HISTORY: ............................................................................................................................................. 4 EMERGENCE OF KHAWARIJISM ........................................................................................................................... 10

KHAWARIJISM – DURING THE RASHIDEEN CALIPHATE: ........................... ......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ...................... ........13 WAY FORWARD: .................................................................................................................................................. 19

BUILDING AND PRESENTING OWN NARRATIVE : .......................... ......................................... ............................. ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ................. ...19 TRANSNATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SHARING: .......................... ........................................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................ ........................ ..........20 COMBINED MILITARY ALLIANCE: ........................... ......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ...................... ........20 UNDERSTANDING KHAWARIJ’S DECEIVING STRATEGY: ........................... ......................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ...................... ........21 EVALUATION OF WARFARE & KHAWARIJISM: ..................... ................................. ....................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ............. .. 22 CASE STUDY: IRAQ ............................................................................................................................................... 24 CASE STUDY: PAKISTAN ....................................................................................................................................... 29 CONCLUSION: ...................................................................................................................................................... 34 END NOTES .......................................................................................................................................................... 35















“100 years after the First World War, the entire Muslim world from North Africa to Middle East is once again in strategic turmoil. Two major changes took place at global politics after the First World War i.e. end of Muslim Caliphate in in Ottoman Empire and division of the Muslim Empire to establish apartheid Zionist state of Israel. Seeds of today’s pandemonium in Muslim heartlands were also sown after the two World Wars fought in 20th century due to which the state of Israel became a reality. Present chaos is continuation of these World Wars. After 9/11, the so-called war on terror expanded its footprint from Afghanistan and Iraq to entire Muslim world. Many unknown violent militant groups began to emerge in Muslim societies challenging the authority and territorial integrity of large Muslim states like Syria, Iraq, Libya, Turkey and Pakistan. Apart from this rebellion against Muslim states, these terrorist organizations have launched the vicious war against the Islam itself by hijacking the Islamic political ideas like Caliphate, Jihad and and Sharia. In Islamic history, such groups are known as Khawarij. Muslim civilization, since the time of Khilafat-e-Rashida , had to wage wars against these enemies of Islam. These groups have remained the natural strategic allies of anti-Islam forces. Muslims have been told through various Ahadees of Prophet Muhemmed (sm)) about this threat. So it is not a new phenomenon but never before in history, this threat was so compound as it is today. Today, Muslim societies and state have been proven ideologically ill-equipped to cope with the dogmatic challenges posed by this old demon. This paper is a quest to understand this phenomenon with its historical and religious background without which the true role of Khawarij in current geopolitics will remain unfathomable. Secondly, this paper focuses on rise and expansion of Khawarij in in modern day Iraq and Pakistan to further understand the hidden facets of 21st century convoluted political dynamics.” dynamics.”















The above quoted proclamation of then British foreign secretary gaudily established two fundamental aspects of long term strategic planning of western powers viz-a-viz Muslim world and Islam. Firstly, the division of Muslim lands into many nation states, under secret agreement between Britain and France, was part of greater a political scheme which completely changed the world’s geography and politics. Secondly, destruction of political Islamic ideals like Caliphate and Sharia laws was pivot of this Western strategy. Apart from these obvious realities there is a hidden message embedded in this proclamation as well and that is the political resolve of not letting the Muslim world gain its political, military and moral strength to challenge the Western political and financial models like western democracy, communism, capitalism, socialism, nationalism and international money lending empires run through the likes of Bank of England and Federal Reserve Bank etc. This is the aspect which is still relevant and must be understood in retrospective analysis of geopolitics of Muslim World. Actual plans to topple the Ottoman Empire was hatched, in late 15th century, right after the conquest of Constantinople by Ottoman Turk general Sultan Mohammed Fateh. This was the end of Byzantine Empire. After that for the next two hundred years, Islamic Caliphate continued to expand in Eastern and Central Europe. By end of 17th century, the Empire was at its political zenith. But this vast expansion, created its own share of political, administrative and social problems for Caliphate like rise of regionalism and tribal nationalism. These rifts and fault lines were not removed and later on proved a big blow to the entire Caliphate. In the battle of Zenta, in 1699, the Ottoman side had been defeated and lost huge territories comprising on modern day Hungary, day Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia Herzegovina, Croatia and Slavonia. and Slavonia. This battle was the last clash in Austro-Ottoman Wars which lasted for 14 years (1683-97). 2 These protracted and costly wars against the expanding Russian influence had put the Muslim Caliphate under huge debt to French banks which were actually owned by Jewish bankers. So, financial stagnation of Muslim Empire had also begun around the same time. The nexus between these bankers and western political forces against Islam was natural















Ottoman Empire at its political Zenith

In order to maintain their political and financial clout in Europe, it was imperative for these two forces to conspire against the Ottoman Empire. Though the social and political disorder along with weak administration was prevalent in some parts of Ottoman Empire since late 18th century but large scale political upheaval in central provinces of Hijaz, Syria and Iraq by Arab tribes against the Caliphate began in the 19th century when European countries started to penetrate these provinces and launched their covert subversive operations. Western bankers and strategists had found new allies against the Caliphate and these were the Arab tribes. By the end of 19th century, Ottoman Empire had reduced to modern day Turkey and few parts of Middle East. First World War ended with Western colonial powers almost occupying the entire Ottoman provinces. In order to gain its present day territory back, Turkey had to accept treaty of Lausanne which effectively ended the institution of Caliphate in 1924. The decision saved Turkey but destroyed the

































The real Zionist plans for the Ottoman Empire (and for entire Muslim world) came to light after the Balfour declaration, in which the British Crown decided to create the state of Israel on Palestinian lands. A letter was sent from then British foreign secretary Lord Balfour to the Zionist banker Baron Rothschild right after the WWI. The "Balfour Declaration" was later incorporated into the the Sèvres peace treaty which was signed before the treaty of Lausanne extending the British mandate to Palestine. This was at least 30 years before the creation of state of Israel. But this letter openly outlined the British Empire’s policies for the future as well which was further endorsed by what was said later on by Lord Curzon in 1924. Muslim world map was redrawn, creating different nation states based on the idea of Arab nationalism. It was later revealed by the British that their policy was to instigate a conflict amongst the Arabs through the Arabs themselves. So the world would not blame the Christian powers or western other countries for the destruction of the Muslim lands. Now if Damascus falls or is captured, it will be by the Arab groups. If Baghdad is captured, Arab groups will be blamed for it. This is exactly what began to happen as the Muslim Ottoman Empire remained oblivious to internal challenges. At the beginning of the 20th century, the political turmoil had crossed the critical threshold. Abdul Aziz ibn Saud attacked and occupied the fortress at Riyadh, killing the Ottoman governor. 3

















Modern Day Muslim World comprising on nation states created by Zionists after WWI. Israel was established in the heart of Muslim states!

















Who are these militant groups? How do they emerge? And from where do they yield so much power enabling them to challenge the entire Islamic World? What is the historical background of the present rise of extremism and terrorism within Muslim world? What is the role of major global players in creating present chaos? And most importantly, how Muslim societies can be saved from this violent frenzy? These are the questions this paper tries to investigate. Understanding the present chaos and major state and non-state actors involved in it is a critical imperative for governments and policymakers in the Muslim world and for that it is critically important to study these groups in their historical context.

















(As told in Ahadees of Prophet Muhemmed (sm) In Islamic history the first emergence of such groups have been recorded during the time of Prophet Muhemmed (sm) when Muslim forces returned from the battle of Hunain and war booty was being distributed amongst the poor and the needy. What transpired there has been recorded in the following authentic narrations. These ahadees not only explain the emergence of Khawarijism in the time of Prophet Muhemmed (sm) but also expose the mindset, character, thought process and strategy of these ‘dogs of hell’ (as they have been called in sayings of the Holy Prophet). Jabir b. Abdullah reported that a person came to the Messenger of Allah (SallAllah-u-Alaihiwa-Sallam) at Ja'rana on his way back from Hunain, and there was in the clothes of Bilal some silver. The Messenger of Allah (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam) took a handful out of that and bestowed it upon the people. He (the person who had met the Prophet at Ja'rana) said to him: Muhemmed, do justice. He (the Holy Prophet (sm) said: Woe be upon thee, who would do justice if I do not do justice, and you would be very unfortunate and a loser if I do not do justice. Upon this Umar b. Khattab (R.A.) said: Permit me to kill this hypocrite. Upon this he (the Holy Prophet said: May there be protection of Allah! People would say that I kill my companions. This man and his companions would recite the Qur'an but it would not go beyond their throat, and they swerve from it just as the arrow goes through the prey. [Sahih Muslim: Muslim: Book 005, Number Number 2316]

A person among the people then sought permission (from the Holy Prophet PBUH) for his murder. According to some, it was Khalid bin Walid (R.A.) who sought the permission. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam), said: From this very person's posterity there would arise people who would recite the Qur'an, but it would not go beyond their throat; they would kill the followers of Islam and would spare the idol-



















the Book of Allah glibly and fluently. 'Umar said: I think he (the Holy Prophet) also said this: If I find them I would certainly kill them like Thamud.". [Sahih Muslim: Muslim: Book 005, Number Number 2320]

The Messenger of Allah (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam) said: Leave him, for he has friends that everyone among you would consider his prayer insignificant as compared with their prayer, and his fast as compared with their fasts. They would recite the Qur'an but it would not go beyond their collarbones. They would pass through (the teachings of Islam so hurriedly) just as the arrow passes through the prey. He would look at its Iron head, but would not find anything ticking) there. He would then see at the lowest end, but would not find anything sticking there. He would then see at its grip but would not find anything sticking to it. He would then see at its feathers and he would find nothing sticking to them (as the arrow would pass so quickly that nothing would stick to it) neither excrement nor blood. They would be recognized by the presence of a black man among them whose upper arms would be like a woman's breast, or like a piece of meat as it quivers, and they would come forth at the time when there is dissension among the people. Abu Sa'id said: I testify to the fact that I heard it from the Messenger of Allah (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam), and I testify to the fact that 'Ali b. Abu Talib fought against them and I was with him. He gave orders about that man who was sought for, and when he was brought in, and when I looked at him, he was exactly as the Messenger of Allah (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam) had described him.

















'Ubaidullah b. Abu Rafi', the freed slave of the Messenger of Allah (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-waSallam), said: When Haruriya (The Khawarij) set out and as he was with 'Ali b. Abu Talib (Allah be pleased with him) they said," There is no command but that of Allah." Upon this 'Ali said: The statement is true but it is intentionally applied (to support) a wrong (cause). The Messenger of Allah (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam described their characteristics and I found these characteristics in them. They state the truth with their tongue, but it does not go beyond this part of their bodies (and the narrator pointed towards his throat). The most hateful among the creation of Allah is one black man among them (Khawarij). One of his hand is like the teat of a goat or the nipple of the breast. When 'Ali b. Abu Talib (Allah be pleased with him) killed them, he said: Search (for his dead body). They searched for him, but they did not find it (his dead body). Upon this he said: Go (and search for him). By Allah, neither I have spoken a lie nor has the lie been spoken to me. 'Ali said this twice and thrice. They then found him (the dead body) in a rain. They brought (his dead) body till they placed it before him (Ali). 'Ubaidullah said: And, I was present at (that place) when this happened and when 'Ali said about them. A person narrated to me from Ibn Hanain that he said: I saw that black man. [Sahih Muslim: Muslim: Book 005, Number Number 2334]

These are just few of the ahadees on the subject of Khawarij. There are many other ahadees with slight differences in their phraseologies but meaning remains the same. By carefully

















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The Khawarij would emerge whenever there is dissension amongst the Muslims. This is most critical aspect and history of Khawrijism succinctly support this assertion of these ahadees. Killing the Khawarij would be rewarded on the Day of Judgment and the army that would fight against these people would be the best army.

Khawarijism – During During the Rashideen Caliphate: Roots of modern day khawarij can be traced back to the pre-Islamic history when, the Roman-Persian Roman-Persian Wars and the Byzantine Byzantine–Sasanian wars were fought for hundreds of years. These wars continued for almost 700 years (between 69 BC and 629 AD). 4 For both the empires, these wars were expensive enterprises. To meet the financial cost of these wars, high taxes were imposed on the populations in both the empires. But the human cost of these wars were also unbearable for both the combating empires. During these wars, both adopted the strategy of hiring local tribes through bribes. The Arab tribes in Iraq and Syria would play the role of hired mercenaries in these wars. Tribal territory in Iraq was under Persian Empire so Arab tribes here were paid by the Persians. On the other hand, present day Syria was under Byzantine Empire and Arab tribes of Syria were hired by the Byzantine as their guerillas and fighters. Not only these tribes would fight for their respective states but they used to launch campaigns against

















historian M.A. Saban has described this greed of Khawarij during the time of caliph Usman Bin Affan (R.A.) in following words. “The Qurra received stipend varying from 2000 to 3000 Dirhams while majority would (of Muslim forces) receive only 250 to 300 Dirhams. ”5

These Qurra launched their rebellion against Caliph Usman (R.A) when it was decided by Caliph to reduce their undue status and demands, and declined to give them more lands in Persia.6 Caliph took these measures following his predecessor Caliph Umer Bin Al-Khitab (R.A.) when he refused to allot lands to the Muslim soldiers and commanders in the areas conquered by Muslims in Iran, Iraq and Syria. 7 This move by Umer (R.A) infuriated these tribes and later on the Caliph had to give ultimate sacrifice to uphold the Islamic principles. This move by Caliph Uaman (R.A.), was also considered hostile by the people of Qurra and therefore they started to cause troubles. It is noteworthy fact that these Qurra (later known as Khawarij) never accepted the basic principle of equality and justice in Islam and kept on demanding more and more privileges just like Pre-Islamic days of Persian-Byzantine Wars. To ensure the implementation of this rule, Caliph Usman (R.A), later on, also removed the distinction between the Ridda and preRidda tribesmen which was not to their liking and lessened their prestige. 8 After their constant trouble making, some of the people with their tribal names as Qurra had been expelled from Kufa, in Iraq, for fomenting trouble and were sent to Muawiyah

















mood of extending any undue favors to them. In Madina, they took an oath that they will not cause any trouble and following the example of the Prophet, Usman (R.A.) also accepted their word and let them go. They then split up and went to different Muslim power centers and started fomenting rebellion, particularly in Egypt. At the same time, Caliph Usman (R.A.) was busy planning to launch major military campaign to Constantinople through Mediterranean Sea. Muawiyah (R.A.) was ordered to prepare a Muslim naval armada to open up the sea for future expeditions. First major naval battle between Islamic naval fleet and Byzantine navy took place in the Battle of Masts in which, within the matters of days, Muslim navy demolished the Byzantine navy completely with Emperor Constans retreating back to Constantinople. 12 This battle took place in 655 AD. Victory here was significant as now Islamic forces were poised to launch more naval campaigns towards Constantinople. But the gravest tragedy occurred in Muslim history next year; Caliph Usman (R.A.) was assassinated by Qurra tribes in Madina. Suddenly, Byzantine Empire had found a new strategic ally within the ranks of Muslims and this nefarious nexus exists even today despite the fact that there was no formal agreement between the two but their respective interests suddenly converged.



















This fact has been recorded by Ali (R.A.) himself in Nehj ul Balagah . "I did not approach the people to get their oath of allegiance but they came to me with their desire to make me their Amir (ruler). I did not extend my hands towards them so that they might swear the oath of allegiance to me but they themselves extended their hands towards me."13 Selection of Ali (R.A.) as next Caliph of Islam was a bad omen for those who had actually assassinated Usman (R.A.). They started to spread rumors and made Qisas of Usman (R.A.) a more urgent issue than the political stability of the Muslim State. Ali (R.A.) wanted to punish the assassins of Usman (R.A) after settling the political crisis but Khawarij were aware of the fact that a former judge like Ali (R.A.) would soon expose them if allowed to investigate this matter single mindedly. They upped the ante and started to spread the confusion among the Muslims which led to the first civil war between Muslims. Battle of

















the sky, and faces are not discernible… I t is possible I would listen to and obey whomever you make in charge of your affairs. I am better for you as a counselor than as chief. ”15

This also explains the propaganda prowess of these Khawarij. People who were taught and trained by Prophet Muhemmed (sm) himself were at war with each other due to the atmosphere created by propaganda and disinformation of the Khawarij. Taking advantage of the situation, Khawarij were able to penetrate both sides which had collided in battles of Saffin and Jamal. During the battle of Saffin, both Ali (R.A) and Muawiyah (R.A) wanted to solve the issue peacefully but at this stage, these Khawarij rebelled against the both of them. To meet their goal of igniting infighting among Ali (R.A) and Muawiyah (R.A), they twisted the verse of Quran which says "No rule but God's," as an indication that a caliph is not a representative of God. Now on one hand, they were opposing Muawiyah's “rebellion” against one (Ali R.A.),

















he vividly explains their murderous practices and cult ideology, which succeeded in overrunning almost the entire Muslim heartland, even coming close to assassinating Sultan Salahuddin during the peak of the Crusades. 18 Even Salahuddin could not finish off the cloak and dagger cult of the Order of the Assassins , who were finally, decisively and ruthlessly eliminated by the rampaging Mongol armies which had also over run the Capital of Caliphate in Baghdad around 13 th century AD. But like the battle of Naharwan, few of them again escaped just to resurface again which they have been keep doing since then.

















What we need to understand is that there are only three major Muslim countries left which can play any decisive role in the Ummah. They are Turkey, Iran and Pakistan; there is no more Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia or Egypt left in real terms! It is a sad reality of regional geopolitics. These are all the countries, on the verge of collapse, too weak to play any substantial role now and about to become part of the “Greater Israel”. Multiple fault lines have been activated in these countries by internal and external enemies. Sectarian, ISIS, TTP, FSA, PKK and other Khawarij gangs are waging civil wars while US/NATO/India are planning to expand their military intervention to create further anarchy in the region. This is a dangerous time for the Muslim Ummah and there is

















Transnational Intelligence Sharing: Khawarijism has now become a trans-national phenomenon within the Muslim world, catalyzed by foreign hostile forces. A robust and combined intelligence sharing network, with sole purpose of fighting threats of Khawarijism, must be established among Muslim states.



















Today none of these countries is capable to defeat the military prong of this existential threat alone. This necessitates the need for a combined Muslim military alliance on the basis of NATO. Due to prevailing geopolitical issues within the Muslim world, inclusion of all the states in this purposed alliance may not be possible initially but Pakistan, Iran and

















7. Infidel forces (Byzantine and Roman Empires) have been the real beneficiaries of

unrest created by Khawarij. This trend of strategic repercussions of Khawarij continues even today and without understanding this trend, building a response strategy would remain a distinct dream.

















and centrifugal forces in enemy’s political system, med ia and civil society on the other. The information and political war waged by the 5 th columnists and traitors within the country supports the armed insurgences and demoralize the nation and the armed forces into submission, confusion and surrender.

















weakening of the nation states but now after 13 years of this bloody war it has become clear that this phenomenon is neither new nor natural. To further understand the present crisis and role of Khawarij along with other militant forces (both homegrown and foreign funded) let’s analyze the two states, as case studies,



























































































































































Zaid Hamid: Khawarij Phenomenon -- BrassTacks Policy Paper

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