is slain, or conquers, We shall bring him a mighty wage…,"20 and this verse, "But other men there are that sell themselves desiring God's pleasure."21

The first person who practised Shira was Abu Bilal Mirdas b. Hudair. The idea of Shira or Khuruj (coming out) occurred to him when he saw the harm caused by Ubaidullah b. Ziyad to his fellow-Muslims.22 His comment on the situation was, "Surely, being content with tyranny is an offence, and drawing the sword and frightening the people is grave, but we come out and fight no one but those who do us wrong."23 Abu Bilal used to elect among the Muslims, the most trustworthy and outstanding men for the task of Shira. He explained the conditions of Shira in the following words in which he used to address every person who wished to join him; "You go out to fight in the way of God desiring His pleasure, not wanting anything of the goods of the present World, nor have you any desire of it, nor will you return to it. You are the abstemious and the hater of this life, the desirous for the World to Come, trying all in your power to obtain it. Going out to be killed and for nothing else. So know that you are going to be killed and have no return to this life; You are going forward and will not turn away from righteousness till you come to God. If such is your concern, go back and wind up you needs and wishes of this life, pay you debts, purchase yourself, take leave of your family and tell them that you will never return to them. When you have done so I will accept your pledge."24

Some scholars suggest that the state of Shira was practised first during the Meccan period of the Prophet's life. They point out that the Prophet declared Islam openly when the number of his followers reached forty,25 and was directed by the Qur'an to leave the house of al-Arqam b. Abi al-Arqam which was "the centre of his preaching activities."26 When he had passed the stage of secrecy, God revealed to him, "O Prophet, God suffices thee, and the believers who follow thee."27 According to Shaikh Muhammad Yusuf Atfaiyish, this verse was revealed in Mecca and was included afterwards in the chapter of the spoils (al-Anfal) which was revealed in Madina.28 However, it is difficult to agree with the suggestion that the stage of Shira in Ibadhi doctrine was derived from the above-mentioned event in the Prophet's life. Even if the circumstances were similar, which they were not, there is still a great difference, which lies in the fact that the timing of such actions in the Prophet's life was directly determined by revelation. The other thing is that all Muslims had to follow in any action the Prophet had to take, especially if the Qur'an commanded it, but the Ibadhis did not consider Shira as an individual obligation; it was a voluntary duty only. This was one of the main principles about which they differed from the Azraqites who considered Khuruj as an individual obligation.29