Ibadi

Ibadi, or Ibadism, is a distinct branch of Islam. It originated in the early Islamic era as a lineage linked to the Khawarij; its most prominent founder is Abd-Allah ibn Ibadh al-Mahri, a Basran jurist who taught in the 7th century. The movement spread to Oman, where it became the dominant form of Islam and remains central to religious life; it also developed communities in Zanzibar and parts of North and East Africa, notably the M'zab valley in Algeria.

Beliefs and leadership: Ibadis share core Islamic beliefs—tawhid, prophethood, Qur’an and Sunnah—but they differ in political theology. The Imam is a religious and political leader chosen by the community through consultation and must govern justly; the office is not hereditary, and rulers can be deposed for injustice. Ibadism emphasizes consensus (shura), moderation, and avoidance of sectarian extremism. They maintain a pragmatic approach to jurisprudence and personal piety.

Practice and law: Ibadi practice includes the five pillars of Islam, daily prayer, fasting in Ramadan, alms, and pilgrimage to Mecca when possible. Their fiqh emphasizes juristic reasoning within Qur’anic and Prophetic guidance, with a tradition of tolerance toward other Muslims and non-Muslims within a plural society.

Geography and influence: In Oman, Ibadism remains the historical core of religious life; diaspora communities in Zanzibar and Algeria’s M’zab valley preserve distinctive Ibadi rites and institutions, contributing to a wider Ibadi cultural and religious presence across Africa and the Indian Ocean region.