Ali: opposition, the Camel, Siffin and Nahrawan

Last time

Before we start: last time, in Abu Bakr and the four caliphs together, you learned these points. Here they are again on one card. Keep them in mind, because today builds on them.

A caliphate of civil war

Ali became caliph just after Uthman was martyred, and almost at once he faced opposition. Within two years there were three conflicts, the Camel, Siffin and Nahrawan, and each began with a question of justice and ended in more division. Examiners ask for the causes, the key events, the numbers and the consequences. Keep the three battles in order.

Opposition at the start

Talha and Zubayr were among the first to pledge loyalty to Ali. They then turned against him and raised a cry for vengeance for Uthman's blood. They were joined by Aisha. Ali was accused of delaying revenge for Uthman's murder, and of manipulating the political strife. The mark scheme notes he had been a reluctant arbitrator between Uthman and the rebels. Ali dismissed all the governors appointed by Uthman. This infuriated Mu'awiya, the governor of Syria and Uthman's cousin, who refused to step down.

The Battle of the Camel

It was fought in 656, the first civil war in Islam. Talha, Zubayr and Aisha raised an army of 900 men and marched towards Basra. Ali feared for the unity of the Muslims. He left Madina with a force of 600 men, and sent his son Hasan to Kufa, who gathered 7000 men to support his father. Negotiations succeeded, but in the night mischief makers from both sides urged the soldiers to fight, and war began. Talha and Zubayr were both martyred. Ali was victorious.