Question
What do you know about the rift between Muslims during 656-61?
Solution
The rifts among the Muslims deepened after Ali (656-61) fought two wars against those who represented the Meccan aristocracy. Ali’s supporters and enemies later came to form the two main sects of Islam: Shias and Sunnis.
Ali established himself at Kufa and defeated an army led by Muhammad’s wife, Aisha, in the Battle of the camel (657). He was, however, not able to suppress the faction led by Muawiya, a kinsman of Uthman and the Governor of Syria. Ali’s second battle, at Siffin (northern Mesopotamia), ended in truce which split his followers into two groups: some remained loyal to him, while others left the camp and came to be known as Kharjis.
Soon after, Ali was assassinated by a Kharji in a mosque at Kufa. After his death, his followers paid allegiance to his son, Hussain, and his descendants. Muawiya made himself the next caliph in 661, founding the Umayyad dynasty which lasted till 750.
