Is the testimony of the Khawarij and the people of innovation who rebel against the Imam accepted?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Fighting Rebellious Groups

Book 49 · Issue 2 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The testimony of the Khawarij and the people of religious innovation (*Ahl al-Bid'ah*) is not accepted if they rebel against the ruling Imam, because their rebellion constitutes transgression (*Fisq*).

Supporting text

Abu Hanifa holds that they become transgressors due to their rebellion against the Imam, yet their testimony remains admissible. This is because their transgression pertains to religious matters, which does not invalidate testimony in the manner of other transgressions, analogous to the acceptance of some testimonies given by non-believers against each other.