as they would people of the Age of Ignorance.” (1).

E — The Emergence of the Kharijites:

Among the episodes of civil strife was the Kharijite revolt against Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). They first emerged after the Battle of Siffīn had ended and the people of Iraq and Syria had agreed to arbitration between the two parties. While Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was returning to Kufa, the Kharijites—who had been part of his army—separated from him and encamped at a place called Harūrā (2). They numbered eight thousand, though it was also said that there were sixteen thousand. Ali sent Ibn Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) to them, and he debated them. Some returned with him and once again submitted to Ali’s authority.

The Kharijites spread the claim that Ali had repented of accepting arbitration and that this was why some of them had returned to his obedience. Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) therefore addressed them in the mosque of Kufa. Voices rang out from every corner of the mosque: “Judgment belongs to Allah alone!” They said, “You have associated partners with Allah, appointed men as arbiters, and failed to make Allah’s Book the arbiter.”

Ali replied, “You have three rights over us: we shall not bar you from the mosques, withhold your stipends from the public revenues, or initiate fighting against you unless you cause disorder.”

They then gathered together and killed any Muslim who passed through their midst. Among those who passed by them was Abd Allāh