Are the Khawarij disbelievers?

The questioner : This hadith is one of the foundational principles.

The Shaykh : Yes, the Khawarij are among these, yes.

The questioner : The main sect, the sect in question.

The Shaykh : There is also disagreement among scholars regarding this sect as to whether they are disbelievers or not. Many scholars hold that they are not disbelievers, but rather that they are those who engage in figurative interpretation and are mistaken. It is even narrated from 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) that he was asked, "Are they disbelievers?" He said, "They fled from disbelief."

The questioner : Thank you.

The Shaykh : So their issue, meaning whether they are disbelievers or not, is a matter of long and extensive disagreement. Al-Shawkani mentioned it in his commentary on al-Muntaqa and elaborated on it, and the Shaykh al-Islam also discussed it in the Fatawa and elsewhere. This issue is not a recent one; it is an old issue.

The questioner : How do we say that he falls within the domain of the Khawarij, when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that it will be in the end times, and the Khawarij are the sect of 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him)?

The Shaykh : This is a relative matter. Even we are in the end times in any case. It is possible that thousands of years will pass before the Hour occurs.