I asked Sahl bin Hunaif, "Did you hear the Prophet (ﷺ) saying anything about Al-Khawarij?" He said, "I heard him saying while pointing his hand towards Iraq. "There will appear in it (i.e, Iraq) some people who will recite the Qur'an but it will not go beyond their throats, and they will go out from (leave) Islam as an arrow darts through the game's body.' "
Exposition of Hadith on the Khawarij
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (6934) describes the emergence of the Khawarij sect, who outwardly appear as Muslims but whose faith does not penetrate their hearts. The Prophet (ﷺ) pointed toward Iraq, indicating the geographical origin of this deviation.
Scholarly Commentary
The phrase "recite the Qur'an but it will not go beyond their throats" signifies their recitation lacks spiritual penetration - they memorize words without internalizing meanings or submitting to Divine guidance.
"Go out from Islam as an arrow darts through the game's body" illustrates the completeness and speed of their apostasy. Just as an arrow cleanly passes through prey, these individuals completely exit the boundaries of Islam through their beliefs and actions.
Classical scholars note the Khawarij declared other Muslims as unbelievers based on minor sins, thus falling into greater disbelief themselves. Their literalist approach to texts without proper understanding led them to violate fundamental Islamic principles.
Historical Context
This prophecy manifested during the caliphate of Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) when the Khawarij rebelled against legitimate authority. They combined outward piety with internal rebellion, making them particularly dangerous to communal harmony.