You mentioned that the Khawarij are, according to the stronger position, disbelievers, even though 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) did not declare them disbelievers

Question:
You mentioned, may Allah preserve you, regarding the Khawarij that the stronger position is that they are disbelievers, even though 'Ali did not declare them disbelievers. What is the answer to that?

Answer:
This is a statement. 'Ali's statement is one of the two positions, because they do not declare them disbelievers. So 'Ali is with the group that says they are not disbelievers, even though he fought them. But the second position is that they are disbelievers, due to the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and because they considered the blood of Muslims lawful. And as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) described them, they kill the people of faith and leave the people of idols. We have not heard that the Khawarij fought disbelievers; rather, they fight Muslims.