IOverview
Ibadism is the third surviving branch of Islam, alongside Sunni and Shia. It is named after Abd Allah ibn Ibad, a figure in late 7th century Basra, although Ibadis themselves regard Jabir ibn Zayd as their founding teacher. Today it is the faith of Oman's ruling family and of most Omani citizens, as well as of long established communities in North and East Africa.
Historians usually trace Ibadism to the Kharijite movement, those who left Ali's camp after the arbitration of 657. Ibadis reject the Kharijite label for themselves and stress that they repudiate the violence against other Muslims practised by radical Kharijite groups. The library records both views.
IIHistory
In the closing decades of the 7th century a circle of scholars in Basra took a moderate line in the dispute over leadership. They lived quietly, studying and teaching in secrecy, a condition they called kitman. Under Abu Ubayda Muslim ibn Abi Karima in the 8th century they sent missionaries to Oman, Yemen and North Africa. From there Ibadi states arose in regions far from the caliphs' centres of power.
- 657The arbitration after SiffinA group left Ali's camp, starting the Kharijite movement, which Ibadis see as context rather than as their identity.
- Late 7th centuryJabir ibn Zayd in BasraThe scholar Ibadis regard as their founding teacher.
- Mid 8th centuryThe first imam in OmanAl-Julanda ibn Mas'ud was elected imam, and the Ibadi imamate in Oman was revived many times afterwards.
- 777 to 909The RustamidsAn Ibadi state based at Tahert in present day Algeria.
- 1650The Ya'aribaThe Ya'ariba imams drove the Portuguese from Muscat.
- 18th century to todayThe Al Bu Sa'idThe dynasty that rules Oman and once also ruled Zanzibar.
IIIBeliefs and Distinctives
Ibadis call themselves ahl al-haqq wa al-istiqama, the people of truth and uprightness. In their teaching the imam need not come from any particular lineage but must be the most pious and learned, elected by the community and removable if he does wrong. The community may exist in four states: manifestation when a ruling imam is in place, defence when under attack, sacrifice when a small band rises up, and concealment when living under others' rule.
Two ethical ideas stand at the centre: walaya, close association with those who live rightly, and bara'a, dissociation from those who commit grave sins without repenting. A Muslim who commits a grave sin is, for Ibadis, not an unbeliever but one ungrateful for God's favour. In theology the branch shares some positions with the Mu'tazila, for instance holding that God will not be seen with the eyes in the hereafter.
IVPractice, Ritual and Daily Life
Ibadis keep the five pillars like all Muslims. They pray with their arms at their sides. Ibadi mosques tend to be plain and sparsely decorated. Community life prizes moderation, learning and moral discipline. In the M'zab valley, Ibadi towns founded from the 11th century were inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1982, and councils of scholars known as azzaba still play a part in community life.
Oman is known for a religious life shared with Sunnis and Shias. Many mosques are open to all for prayer, and the state emphasises tolerance between branches.
VOrganisation and Distribution
There is no single centre for all Ibadi communities. In Oman the Grand Mufti heads religious affairs within the state. In North Africa the communities of the M'zab, Djerba and the Nafusa mountains keep their own regional forms of organisation. In East Africa the Ibadi imprint remains on Zanzibar from the era of Omani rule over the island.
Oman does not publish census data by religious branch, so all figures for Ibadis are estimates. Britannica describes Ibadis as the majority of Oman's population. Other sources give lower shares. The library's dataset records about 2.72 million from Wikipedia without a clear year, so this page treats a reliable figure as unavailable.
VIIn Vietnam
The library has found no source for an Ibadi community in Vietnam. No Ibadi body appears among the Muslim organisations recognised by the state.
VIISymbol of the Branch
No symbol of its own is recorded with a source for this branch, so the library uses the common symbol of the path.
VIIIOther Branches of Islam
Sunni Islamأهل السنة والجماعة Ahl al-Sunna wa al-JamāʿaThe largest branch.Uses the common symbol of the path
Twelver Shia Islamاثنا عشرية Ithnā ʿAshariyya, also Imāmiyya or JaʿfariyyaThe largest Shia branch.Zaydi Shia Islamالزيدية al-ZaydiyyaA Shia branch named after Zayd ibn Ali (d.Uses the common symbol of the path
Ismaili Shia Islamالإسماعيلية al-IsmāʿīliyyaSeparated in 765 by recognising Isma'il, son of Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq, as successor.Ibadi Islamالإباضية al-IbāḍiyyaA third branch, neither Sunni nor Shia.Uses the common symbol of the path
Sufismتصوف TaṣawwufNot a third branch beside Sunni and Shia but an inner, devotional dimension present in both.
Cham IslamIslam, termed Hoi giao Islam in official documentsCham Muslims in Vietnam following Sunni Islam of the Shafi'i school.Cham BaniBani, Awal. Termed Hoi giao Bani in official documentsA distinct form among the Cham of former Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan, rooted in Islam and blended with Cham tradition.Uses the common symbol of the pathIXSources
The library cross-checks the sources below. Where they disagree, the page gives both.
?Quick Questions
Are Ibadis Sunni or Shia?
Neither. Ibadism is a distinct branch that took shape in the same period as the Sunni and Shia division. Pew Research Center noted in 2009 that the group is hard to classify as either.
Are Ibadis Kharijites?
Historians place the historical roots of Ibadism in the Kharijite movement. Ibadis reject the label and stress that they repudiate the violence of radical Kharijite groups. The library records both views.
Where do Ibadis live?
Mainly in Oman, with long established communities in Algeria's M'zab valley, Tunisia's Djerba, Libya's Nafusa mountains and Zanzibar.