Ibadism in History the emergence of the ibadi school

 This book explains the historical origins of the Ibadis, one of the earliest schools of thought among the Sunni Muslims, mostly concentrated in Oman, with smaller communities in Libya, Algeria and other parts of North Africa. It sets out the doctrines of the Ibadis, albeit doctrines which are mostly insignificant variations from the mainstream of the Sunni Muslim creed and practices. The author recounts in detail how and why the error became established that the lbadis are an offshoot of the heretical group known as the Khawarij. In fact, the Ibadis have had no more in common with the Khawarij than Wahhabis or any other group among the Sunnis who might be called a sect. However, as a result of that error, the Ibadis have been widely misunderstood, sometimes even shunned, by their fellow Sunnis.

This book removes the shadows that have so unjustly distorted the image of lbadis by shining the light of objective historical inquiry into the corners where ignorance and prejudice lurk together, making people afraid to know and face the reality. Through this book, the reader will discover who the Ibadis were, what they have stood for over the centuries, how they have lived, and the purpose and operation of institutions special to them (such as the ‘Azzabah). While good scholarship is always a blessing, this work has the added benefit at this juncture, when Muslims are facing the gravest threat in their history, of enabling understanding and tolerance and thereby strengthening the unity and solidarity of Muslims in the face of the enemies of Islam.