Extremism and Terrorism are forms of Hypocrisy in al-Islaam

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It was narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh (1063) on the authority of Jaabir bin ‘Abdullah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] was at Ja’raanah handing out the war booty after the battle of al-Hunayn. He rewarded Bilaal [May Allaah be Pleased with him] with some silver and the kept some for himself. A man (his name was Dhoo Khuwaysarah at-Tameemee) came and said, “Oh Muhammad! Be fair!” So he [May Allaah be Pleased with him] replied, “Woe to you! Who is just if I am not just? Everything will be lost and destroyed if I wasn’t being fair.” So ’Umar bin a-Khattaab [May Allaah be Pleased with him] said, “Permit me, Oh Messenger of Allaah! I will kill this hypocrite.” So he [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Allaah forbid, people will go around saying that I kill my own Companions. This person and his companions all recite the Quraan but it doesn't go below their throats (i.e. it doesn't affect their piety) and they take people out of al-Islaam just as spears that are thrown in battle.”

Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Tamiyyah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] explained that the Khwaarij (a deviant sect that have views similar to extremists today) believe:

“The blood of those who are from Ahl al-Qiblah (i.e. Muslims, whether they are deviated in their sects or not) are apostates (i.e. disbelievers and no longer Muslim), because of their (false) beliefs and therefore their blood is lawful, even more so than that of the Kuffaar, because their crime of apostasy is worse than those who are disbelievers.” 

He continued in describing them:

“From the essence of their deviation is that they hold that the scholars and the leaders of the Muslims, as well the Muslim community, are unjust and as a result, they are misguided. They have taken this idea, to leave the Sunnis and to oppose them, from the Rawaafidah (i.e. the Shi’ah). Added to this, they believe that those who sin are oppressors, and those who oppress are Kuffaar. As a consequence, they have applied Kufr to people and invented innovated principles in applying them and labelling people with Kufr. In every aspect of their belief they have left some fundamental aspects which make the basis of al-Islaam, until they are come to the position (that those who oppose them have left al-Islaam), exiting people like spears (when thrown during a battle) from al-Islaam.”

[Majmoo’ al-Fataawaa (28/497)]

Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Tamiyyah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] then expanded upon the Hadeeth above in describing this man as a hypocrite, he said:

This man has been described as a hypocrite, with the texts of the Quraan, by His Statement:

“And of them are some who accuse you (O Muhammad) in the matter of (the distribution of) the alms.” [at-Tawbah 9:58]

Meaning, if you don’t give to them then they will insult you. Just like the man who said to the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him], “Oh Muhammad! Be fair!” This is because he wasn’t given a share and accused the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] of favouritism and that he didn't fear Allaah! So he responded by saying, “Is there no one on the earth that fears Allaah more than me? Are you accusing me whilst I am entrusted from the Heavens?”  

There is no doubt, if one was to utter such statements today then he deserves to be killed, however the Prophet didn't punish this man because he was apparently a Muslim and that he was one who would establish the prayer, but his hypocrisy was in causing Prophet harm.

[as-Saarim ar-Rasool (Pg. 228-229)]

Compiled with special thanks to Islamqa.info