Al-Ajrad

Al-Ajrad refers to a historical sect within the Kharijite movement of early Islam. The Kharijites were known for their radical views on governance and their rejection of both the Umayyad and Alid claims to the caliphate.

The Ajradis were one of the more moderate (in Kharijite terms) branches, emerging in the 8th century. They differed from other Kharijites in their views on takfir (declaring a Muslim to be an apostate). Unlike some more extreme groups, the Ajradis generally did not consider children of non-practicing Muslims to be apostates. They also held specific views on the nature of faith and the permissibility of certain actions.

Their founder is traditionally identified as Abd al-Karim ibn Ajrad. However, information about his life and teachings is limited and often filtered through the accounts of their opponents.

The Ajradi sect, like most Kharijite groups, eventually dwindled and disappeared as a distinct movement. Their legacy is primarily preserved through historical texts that discuss the various Kharijite factions and their theological differences.