The Khawarij or Kharijites ('seceders, or, literally; 'Those who go out') were the first sect to split away from mainstream Islam. The same Arabic root (kh-ra-ja) that their name comes from also means "to throw out," and denotes their revolutionary commitment to ridding Islam of the apostate elements of their day, namely the Umayyads. While they did not fully emerge until after the death of the third caliph, Uthman, 644-655, apparently it is clear from early Kharijite sermons that their movement began to crystallize during the rule of Uthman whom they accused of introducing "innovation" into Islam.The Kharijites left the followers of Ali [the Shia] because of Shia willingness to allow human arbitration of Ali's dispute with Mu'awiya in 657 for the role of Caliph. For this reason they are not considered as properly Shiite by some commentators. <p> <p>Kharijite theology was a form of radical extremism, preaching uncompromising observance of the teachings of the Qur'an in defiance of corrupt authorities. The Kharijite theology was a radical fundamentalism, with uncompromised observance of the Quran in defiance of corrupt authorities. Kharijites considered moderate Muslims to be "hypocrites" and "unbelievers" who could be killed with impunity; they made takfir, declaring a person to be Kafir (an unbeliever) of the main body of aherents of either sect. The high point of the Kharijites' influence was in the years 690-730 around Basra in south Iraq. <p> <p>Kharijite ideology was a popular creed for rebels against the officially Sunni Caliphate, inspiring breakaway states and rebellions (like Maysara's) throughout the Maghrib and sometimes elsewhere. <p>

Era: Triumph of Cavalry		Kharijites 655 to 743 AD	CR: H: 4 L: 4			BP: 2	Init: 6
Core
Number	Type	Description	Key	FV	PROT	Weapon	Cost
2	HC(d!)*		K	5[1]0	+1	Lance	11
3	HC(d!)*		K	4[0]0	+1	Various	9
2	LC		K	2[0]0	+1	Various	7
Bonus:
1	HC(d!)		K	5[1]0	+1	Lance	11
4	HC(d!)		K	4[0]0	+1	Various	10
4	FT		K	5[1]1	+1	Spears/Swords/Bows	8
2	WB**			4[1]2	+1	Various	4
4	LC		K	2[0]0	+1	Various	7
4	LC		K	2[0]0	+1	Bows***	8
2	LI			3[1]2	+1	Javelin	5
2	LI			2[1]1	+1	Bows	4
4	SI			2[1]1	+1	Bows	2
2	SI			3[1]2	+1	Javelin	2

Terrain:

Core: 1GR

Bonus: (Max: 3 ) 2GR; 2RG

Notes:

Core: 103 Bonus: 181

Notes:

*All Core HC (FV5 and FV4) are Obligatory Chargers

** BP3, move 9�

***Only when fighting against the Umayyad Eastern Army or for battles in Persia.

All core and bonus FV5 HC and core FV4 HC are Obligatory Chargers.

No more than 5 LC may be taken in any army.

LC Bow dismounts as SI 2[0]0 K Bow +2 BP2

Sources: Kennedy, "Prophet and the Age of the Caliphates"; Kennedy, "The Armies of the Caliphs"; Shaban "Islamic History: A New Interpretation" Tabari Vol 17, Mas'udi, "The Meadows of Gold", Muir �The Caliphate: It's Rise, Decline and Fall�, Abun-Nsar "A History of the Maghrib in the Islamic Period" (online), "Sectarian and National Movements in Iran, Khurusan and Transoxania During Umayyad and Early Abbasid Times" Daftary (Institute of Islamic Studies), D. Head DBM notes on the Kharijites.

List Author: O'Cahan

List Author: OCahan