Re: Khawarij- open discussion
I must say though your historical observation about the similarity in how each of these groups back then and many today dealt with misguided religious interpretation, which eventually became their ideological base and then sprawned a political movement to destabilize the muslim government and community of its time, is very apt in this case. I think you are trying to match the behavioral aspects of the Kharijiites and many of todays extremist groups and how the means they use to impose their ideology thinking they are performing a righteous duty ordained by Allah SWT and hence see their conduct as legitimate even though it is deplorable. I think this is not about each groups specific ideology but the common denominator is misguided religious interpretation and how it breeds marginalized extremist groups militant in nature. The leaders or nexus of powerful people belonging to such groups cannot be reasoned with but its followers can be detered and salvaged.
Jazakallah ...exactly this is the point I was trying to make
the salvage IMHO can only be done by people who themselves have such command over religion that they can provide their followers with an alternative religious leadership ......
and the so-called liberal muslim's weak arguments only serve to harden the resolve of the khawarij that they are indeed on the right path...and I am sorry to say but its hard to argue against them in such circumstances
a more modern example would be the religious opposition in Egypt
and their activites against Saadat, Mubarak etc...we can condemn them all we want but when they are fighting against tyrants like these its difficult not to sympathize with them