How can what Al-Bukhari stated in his book, "I only included in my book narrations from those who said: 'Faith is words and deeds, and it increases and decreases,'" be reconciled with his inclusion in his Sahih of narrations from the Khawarij and others who contradict this statement?

Al-Kawthari claimed that Al-Bukhari only narrated from those who say: "Faith is speech and action, it increases and decreases," even though he narrated from extremist Khawarij. This is an aspersion against Al-Bukhari, because Al-Bukhari intended to show the agreement of the imams that faith is speech and action. He did not mean that he only narrated from these individuals. Al-Bukhari did narrate from some who were accused of Irja' (7 individuals) and from some who were accused of holding the opinion of the Khawarij (3 individuals). Al-Kawthari is known for his extreme partisanship towards the Hanafi school, and he attacked many imams because of it. Al-Mu'allimi transmitted that Abu Hanifa said: "Action is not part of faith, and faith neither increases nor decreases."

As for Al-Bukhari's narration from extremist Khawarij, the reason is that they do not shy away from lying; rather, they deem the liar to be an infidel. That is why Al-Khatib narrated from Abu Dawud his statement: "Among the people of desires, none are more truthful in narration than the Khawarij." The two Sheikhs (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) narrated from some who were accused of innovation. The Khawarij do not differ on faith being speech and action, but they make action a pillar of faith and declare one who abandons individual actions to be an infidel.