That they visited Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri and asked him about Al-Harauriyya, a special unorthodox religious sect, "Did you hear the Prophet (ﷺ) saying anything about them?" Abu Sa`id said, "I do not know what Al-Harauriyya is, but I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, "There will appear in this nation---- he did not say: From this nation ---- a group of people so pious apparently that you will consider your prayers inferior to their prayers, but they will recite the Qur'an, the teachings of which will not go beyond their throats and will go out of their religion as an arrow darts through the game, whereupon the archer may look at his arrow, its Nasl at its Risaf and its Fuqa to see whether it is blood-stained or not (i.e. they will have not even a trace of Islam in them).
Exposition of the Hadith on the Khawarij
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 6931, transmitted through the noble companion Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri, concerns a people known as Al-Harauriyya, who are from the sect of the Khawarij. Their name derives from Harura, a village near Kufa where they initially gathered. They are those who revolted against the legitimate Caliph 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him.
Outward Piety and Inner Deviation
The Prophet, peace be upon him, described them as being outwardly so devout that the ordinary Muslim would deem his own prayers insignificant in comparison to theirs. They would engage in prolonged worship, fasting, and recitation of the Qur'an. However, this is a warning against being deceived by mere appearances, for their inner state was one of misguidance and innovation.
The phrase "the teachings of which will not go beyond their throats" means the Qur'an does not penetrate their hearts to instill correct belief, humility, and submission. They recite it with their tongues, but their hearts are devoid of its true meaning and guidance. They use the Qur'an as a proof for their falsehood, misinterpreting its ambiguous verses to suit their desires.
The Simile of the Arrow
The comparison to an arrow passing through game is profound. Just as an arrow pierces an animal so cleanly that it leaves no trace of blood on its tip (Nasl), its notch (Risaf), or its shaft (Fuqa), these people will exit the religion of Islam so completely that no trace of faith will remain within them. Their apostasy is total and absolute.
This indicates the gravity of their condition. They are not merely sinners; they have left the fold of Islam due to their core beliefs, which include declaring other Muslims as disbelievers (Takfir) and considering it permissible to shed their blood and seize their wealth.
Scholarly Consensus and Legal Ruling
The scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah are united that the Khawarij are a deviant and misguided sect. It is obligatory to oppose them and warn the people against their methodologies. The ruler is obligated to fight them if they rebel and cause corruption in the land, as they have been deemed the "Dogs of Hellfire" in other authentic narrations.
This hadith serves as an eternal lesson to adhere to the mainstream understanding of Islam (Jama'ah) and to beware of those who, despite an appearance of extreme piety, harbor beliefs that are in contradiction to the Qur'an and Sunnah as understood by the righteous predecessors.