The Khawariji, a term historically rooted in Islamic history, has re-emerged in modern times through groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), who have perpetrated heinous acts of terrorism under the guise of religion and tribal or Pashtun identity. These groups claim to fight for a purer interpretation of Islam and the rights of the Pashtun people, yet their actions have only brought devastation, tarnishing the name of Islam, Pakistan, and the rich cultural heritage of the Pashtuns. Their so-called jihad has been nothing but a facade for power, money, and allegiance to foreign masters. It is imperative to confront the TTP and other Khawariji-inspired groups with critical questions that expose their hypocrisy, brutality, and deviation from true Islamic principles.
One of the most pressing questions for the TTP and its leadership is whether they possess a divine monopoly on religion and its interpretation. Islam is a religion of unity, tolerance, and diversity of thought, yet the TTP has arrogated to itself the authority to interpret Islamic injunctions according to its vested interests. They reject the consensus of mainstream religious scholars who have unequivocally denounced their terrorism. By doing so, they have positioned themselves as self-proclaimed arbiters of faith, a stance that is not only arrogant but also fundamentally un-Islamic. The Quran and Sunnah emphasize consultation (shura) and collective understanding, not the authoritarian imposition of a single, distorted interpretation. The TTP must answer: What gives them the right to override centuries of Islamic scholarship and declare their violent ideology as the only truth?
The TTP’s armed struggle against the Islamic State of Pakistan, its people, and its armed forces is a blatant violation of Islamic teachings. Pakistani religious scholars, along with their counterparts worldwide, have issued unanimous decrees (fatwas) forbidding armed rebellion against a legitimate Islamic government. The Quran explicitly commands obedience to those in authority (Ulil Amr) as long as they do not compel Muslims to disobey Allah. Pakistan, as an Islamic Republic, upholds Islamic principles in its constitution and laws. By waging war against the state, the TTP is not only defying religious consensus but also committing a grave sin. Is it “halal” for them to disregard these clear Islamic injunctions and continue their campaign of violence?
The TTP’s slogan of jihad and its claim to represent Islamic ideology are deeply flawed and contradictory to the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah. Jihad, in its true sense, is a struggle for self-improvement and the defense of Islam, not a license to kill innocent people or destabilize societies. The TTP’s so-called jihad has been declared haram by religious scholars across the Muslim world, including in Pakistan. Their actions have caused immense suffering, destroyed communities, and created chaos, all in the name of a distorted version of Islam. How can they justify their actions as religiously correct when they have been universally condemned by the very scholars they claim to follow?
Islam is a religion of peace, mercy, and compassion. The Quran states, “There is no compulsion in religion” (2:256), emphasizing that faith cannot be imposed through force. Yet, the TTP and similar groups seek to spread their version of Islam through terror, intimidation, and violence. This approach is not only counterproductive but also fundamentally un-Islamic. History has shown that Islam spread through the exemplary character of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions, not through coercion. The TTP must answer: How can they reconcile their methods with the clear teachings of Islam, which reject violence as a means of spreading faith?
One of the most abhorrent practices of the TTP is the recruitment and indoctrination of young people for suicide bombings. These vulnerable individuals are brainwashed into believing that blowing themselves up in crowded places, markets, bazaars, mosques, and religious congregations will earn them a place in paradise. This is a gross distortion of Islamic teachings. Suicide is explicitly forbidden in Islam, and the killing of innocent people is one of the gravest sins. The Quran states, “Whoever kills a person unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land, it is as if he had killed all mankind” (5:32). The TTP must explain: How can they justify this heinous practice, and why do they exploit innocent people as fodder for their destructive agenda while their leaders live comfortably in Afghanistan?
The leaders of the TTP and other Khawariji groups have consistently demonstrated hypocrisy in their actions. While they send young men and women to their deaths in suicide bombings, not a single leader or their family members have volunteered for such missions. This double standard exposes their true motives: power, control, and self-preservation. They exploit the poor and vulnerable, using them as pawns in their quest for dominance. The TTP must answer: Why do they not lead by example? Why do they not send their own children or relatives to carry out these so-called acts of martyrdom?
The TTP claims to fight for the rights of Pashtuns and the people of the tribal belt, yet their actions have brought nothing but suffering and destruction. Instead of progress, development, or empowerment, they have unleashed a wave of violence that has devastated communities, destroyed infrastructure, and crippled economies. Schools have been bombed, healthcare facilities targeted, and entire villages displaced. The TTP must answer: What goodness have they brought to the Pashtun people? How have they contributed to the betterment of society, other than through terrorism, kidnapping, ransom, coercion, and intimidation?
The TTP’s allegiance to foreign powers is another glaring contradiction in their ideology. While they claim to fight for Islam and the Pashtun people, they have consistently acted as agents of foreign interests, destabilizing Pakistan and undermining its sovereignty. This betrayal of their own country and people is a clear violation of Islamic principles, which emphasize loyalty to one’s homeland and the protection of its citizens. The TTP must answer: How can they justify their collaboration with foreign powers against their own nation? Is it “halal” to betray their country and people for the sake of foreign masters?
At its core, the TTP and other Khawariji groups lack any genuine religious ideology, humanity, morality, or ethical values. Their actions are driven by a desire for power, money, and control, not by a commitment to Islam or the welfare of the people. They are a modern-day manifestation of the Khawariji fitna, a group known for its extremism, division, and violence in early Islamic history. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) warned against such groups, describing them as “the dogs of hellfire.” The TTP must answer: How can they claim to represent Islam when their actions are so contrary to its teachings?
The TTP and other Khawariji-inspired groups have caused immeasurable harm to Pakistan, its people, and the Islamic faith. Their actions are a betrayal of Islam, a disservice to the Pashtun people, and a threat to global peace and security. It is time for them to answer these critical questions and be held accountable for their crimes. The people of Pakistan, particularly the Pashtuns, must reject these terrorists and their false ideology, uniting instead to build a future based on peace, progress, and true Islamic values. Only by confronting and dismantling these groups can we hope to restore the dignity of Islam, the honor of Pakistan, and the prosperity of its people.
