Ali {battle of siffin; kharijites; arbitration} Flashcards
When and where was the Battle of Siffin fought?
- The Battle of Siffin was fought in Muharram 37 A.H. (657 AD) near the Euphrates River in Siffin
Who were the opposing leaders in the Battle of Siffin?
- The battle was fought between Caliph ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib and Mu’awiya ibn Abi Sufyan, the Governor of Syria.
Why did Mu’awiya refuse to accept ‘Ali as caliph?
- Mu’awiya refused to accept ‘Ali as caliph until the murderers of Caliph ‘Uthman were brought to justice.
Why was ‘Ali reluctant to fight Mu’awiya?
- Ali did not want to fight fellow Muslims and believed that stabilizing the empire should come before dealing with ‘Uthman’s assassins.
What was the size of ‘Ali’s army in the Battle of Siffin?
- Ali’s army consisted of 80,000 men.
How did Mu’awiya’s forces halt the battle?
- On the advice of Amr ibn al-Aas, Mu’awiya’s forces tied copies of the Qur’an to their lances, signaling a call for arbitration.
How did ‘Ali’s army react to the Qur’an being raised?
- A section of ‘Ali’s army refused to fight, believing it was a sincere call for divine judgment, and 10,000 of his men laid down their arms.
What were the terms of the truce following the Battle of Siffin?
- Both sides agreed to arbitration, and two representatives, one from each side, were appointed to resolve the dispute within six months.
Who were the Kharijites?
- The Kharijites (literally “separatists” or “outgoers”) were a group that initially supported ‘Ali but later broke away due to their opposition to arbitration
What role did the Kharijites play in ‘Uthman’s assassination?
- They were involved in the revolt against ‘Uthman and participated in his murder
How did the Kharijites initially support ‘Ali?
- The Kharijites initially supported Ali considering they fought alongside ‘Ali in the Battles of the Camel and Siffin
What caused the Kharijites to separate from ‘Ali?
- The Kharijites separated from Ali as they opposed arbitration, believed in only Allah’s judgement and rejected human mediation.
What slogan did the Kharijites adopt?
The Kharijites adopted the slogan:
- No judgment but Allah’s (لَا حُكْمَ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ).
What was the Kharijites’ belief about caliphate legitimacy?
- Regarding caliphate legitimacy, the Kharijites only recognized Abu Bakr and Umar as legitimate caliphs, considering all others as usurpers.
How did ‘Ali treat the Kharijites after the Battle of Siffin?
- After the Battle of Siffin, Ali showed them compassion and reminded them of their role in forcing him to accept arbitration
Where did the Kharijites establish their community?
- The Kharijites formed their community in Nahrawan.
Who were the two arbitrators chosen after the Battle of Siffin?
After the battle of Siffin, the two arbitrators chosen were:
- Abu Musa Ash’ari (chosen by ‘Ali’s forces) and Amr ibn al-Aas (chosen by Mu’awiya).
Why did ‘Ali’s supporters choose Abu Musa Ash’ari as their arbitrator?
Ali’s supporters chose Abu Musa Ash’ari as their arbitrator because they believed he was neutral and not a strong supporter of Ali.
What secret assurance did Mu’awiya give to Amr ibn al-Aas?
- Mu’awiya secretly promised to restore Amr ibn al-Aas as the governor of Egypt.
What was the initial agreement in the arbitration?
In the arbitration, the initial agreement was that both ‘Ali and Mu’awiya were supposed to step down.
How did Amr ibn al-Aas deceive Abu Musa Ash’ari during the announcement?
- Abu Musa announced that both leaders should step down, but Amr immediately declared that only ‘Ali should step down while Mu’awiya should remain in power.
What was the outcome of the failed arbitration?
- The arbitration failed, and ‘Ali’s authority weakened while Mu’awiya’s position strengthened.
How did the failure of arbitration affect the Kharijites?
It deeply upset the Kharijites, leading them to break away from ‘Ali completely and form their radical movement.
