ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Attraction and Repulsion of Ali (a.s.) Characteristics of Kharijites ( 125 ) Kharijites' is a special mentality. They had been a blend of fair and foul. In their totality they were men with such manners that ultimately they stood amidst the enemies of Ali and his personality did repel them but did not attract them.

We attempt a description of the fair and positive and the foul and negative points of their mentality; they in totality rendered it dangerous, rather horrible: (1) They had a self-sacrificing and combatant mentality. For the cause of their dogmas and ideas they made desperate efforts. In the history of the Kharijites, we come across such sacrifices that are rare in human annals. This devotion and selflessness lent them vigor and courage.

Ibn-e-Abdur Rabbahoo says about them "In all sects none can be found more profound in belief, more assiduous in practice, and readier to die than they were. One of them received a spear blow. The spear had penetrated fatally. He went to his assailant and said, "Oh God! I have rushed to You to please You". Once Mo'awiyah sent a man to bring back his Kharijite son. The father could not dissuade the son from his determination.

In the end he said, "My son, I will return to bring thy little son to thee so that on seeing him paternal love is invoked in you and you give up". He said, "By God! I am more fond of a fatal blow than I am of my son". ( 126 ) They were worshippers and pious. They would worship during the nights. Earthly pomp and vanities had no attraction in themselves for the Kharijites.

When Ali sent Ibn-e-Abbas to advise the people of Nahrawan, on his return Ibn-e-Abbas said in their praise, "Twelve thousand men whose foreheads bear patches as evidence of their excessive worship, they have so often placed their palms on dry burning sands while prostrating before Allah that their hands have become stiff like camel soles. Their robes are old and worn out. But they are people determined and categorical". Kharjites were strict in complying with the formalities and dogmas of Islam.

They did not indulge in what they considered to be a sin. They had evolved their own standards. They never violated them. They would disown a sinner. Ziyad the son of unknown killed one of them and thereafter he summoned his (deceased's) slave and enquired about his routine. The slave said, "I never served him meals in the day time and did never prepare bed for him during the night.