As seen in the previous chapter, the Khawarij are one of the main targets of the firaq tradition. This is not accidental because, as will be demonstrated in the present chapter, they were closely associated with Israelite modes of dissent which the firaq tradition was designed to oppose. It will become clear that the core of the Khāriji dissension was the Qurʾān, and that similar disputes revolving around the Torah brought about the identification of the Khāriji dissent with Israelite modes of schism.

The Khawārij and Sūrat Āl ʿImrān (3):7

To demonstrate the Israelite connection of the Khawārij, we must return to Abū Umāma's statement in front of the beheaded Khawārij and look at the Qurʾānic verses that are included in it. The most notable one is Sūrat Al ʿImran (3):7. This well-known verse distinguishes between two types of Qurʾānic revelations: passages which are called muḥkamāt (“clear- cut”), and those which are called mutashābihāt (“ambiguous”). About the latter type, the Qur'an says:

Islamic exegesis reveals the relationship of this passage to the Khawārij, which in turn exposes their Israelite link. The exegetes perceived this passage as attacking people who pursue fitna, “dissension” and taʾwil, “interpretation”, by means of the mutashābihāt, that is, people who attempt to lead astray the righteous by means of deceitful interpretation of the Qurʾan. The earliest commentaries say that these persons are the People of the Book. According to Muqatil ibn Sulayman, the clause refers to the Jews. Other commentators add that the mutashābihāt on which the Jews relied were the mysterious Qurʾānic letters. They used the numerology of these letters to calculate the number of years remaining till the end of the world. However, the same clause was also linked to the Christians, and more specifically, to the delegation of the Christians of Najran who came to Medina to discuss matters of dogma with the Prophet. The mutashābihāt they reportedly tried to use to lead Muḥammad astray were certain verses stating that Jesus is the Word of God and a Spirit from Him.