Does the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding the Khawarij, "They will emerge from Islam as an arrow emerges from its target," indicate that they are disbelievers?

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, does the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding the Khawarij that they "emerge" as an arrow emerges from its target indicate that they are disbelievers? And his statement, "If I were to encounter them, I would kill them as 'Ad was killed," does this also indicate that they are disbelievers because the people of 'Ad were disbelievers?

Answer:
Yes, this appears to be the case, and Allah knows best. Therefore, some scholars have held the position of declaring them disbelievers of major shirk. Others hold that they are not disbelievers, but rather people of shadows (of doubt), and may Allah protect us from that, and they do not declare them disbelievers. Emerging from the religion varies; it may be an emergence into disbelief, or it may be an emergence due to envy without reaching the level of disbelief. Yes. As for killing the Khawarij, it may be for the sake of their disbelief, just as a disbeliever is killed, or it may be for the sake of their corruption in the earth, to put a stop to their evil. Yes.