[Q]: May Allaah bless you, our Shaykh, the fourth question says: Is it permissible for us today to apply the rulings of the Khawaarij upon the Takfeeriyyeen who exist amongst us?
[A]: Undoubtedly! Meaning, in terms of the general ruling, yes. However, one must look into their situation and clarify the affairs for them. So from the people are those who are the confused rabble, as ’Alee (radiyallaahu ’anhu) said, “The people are of three types: the Scholar who is rabbaanee, [1] the one learning being upon the path of salvation, and the confused rabble who follow everyone who calls out.” [2] So this person could be from those individuals, from those who call out, from those who follow everyone who calls out. As for the one who is a Scholar who understands and he knows the evidence, he knows it and he understands it, then he is a khaarijee (renegade) and he deserves no respect for even a moment.
Endnotes:
[1]: Translator’s Note: Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajr al-’Asqalaanee (d.852H) – rahimahullaah – said, “The rabbaaniyyeen are those who teach the people the basics of knowledge before teaching them the more intricate affairs.” Refer to Fathul-Baaree (1/162) of Ibn Hajr.
[2]: Related by Abu Nu’aym in Hilyatul-Awliyaa‘ (1/79), al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee in al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih (1/49) and Ibn Katheer in al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah (9/47).
Translation by Maaz Qureshi