The First Fitna: A Turning Point in Islamic History
The First Fitna (656–661) was a significant civil war in early Islamic history, following the assassination of the third Caliph, Uthman ibn Affan. It marked a period of intense conflict over the rightful leadership of the Muslim community. Ali ibn Abi Talib, Uthman's cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, was chosen as the fourth Caliph, but his rule faced immediate opposition from factions led by Aisha, Talha, and Zubair, resulting in the Battle of the Camel (656). The conflict continued with the Battle of Siffin (657) against Muawiyah, the governor of Syria. The war ended with the assassination of Ali in 661, leading to the establishment of the Umayyad Caliphate and a lasting division within Islam, notably between Sunni and Shia Muslims.
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