12/47. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1065e — Khawarij and the Nearer Truth
The Khawarij and their attributes
Hadith About Khawarij Emerging From Differing Parties
Sahih Muslim : 1065e
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1065e
حَدَّثَنِي عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ الْقَوَارِيرِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ حَبِيبِ بْنِ أَبِي ثَابِتٍ، عَنِ الضَّحَّاكِ الْمِشْرَقِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي حَدِيثٍ ذَكَرَ فِيهِ قَوْمًا يَخْرُجُونَ عَلَى فُرْقَةٍ مُخْتَلِفَةٍ يَقْتُلُهُمْ أَقْرَبُ الطَّائِفَتَيْنِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ .
Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) that a group (Khawarij) would emerge from the different parties (the party of Hadrat 'Ali and the party of Amir Mu'awiya), the group nearer the truth between the two would kill them.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1065eIn-book reference : Book 12, Hadith 198USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 5, Hadith 2327
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1065e
This hadith about Khawarij emerging from differing parties reports from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri that a group would arise from among different parties. The translation identifies the setting as the party of Ali and the party of Amir Mu'awiya. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said the group nearer to truth between the two would kill them. The core message is not to treat secession and misguidance lightly during public conflict. The hadith also teaches careful balance: even in a divided situation, there can be a party closer to truth. Since the wording is brief, the safest explanation stays with what is stated: emergence from differing parties and being killed by the nearer-to-truth group.
What we learn from this hadith
- The hadith links the group’s emergence to divided parties.
- It says the nearer-to-truth side would kill that group.
- The report warns about secession during conflict.
- Brief reports should be explained with care and without added details.
