Split in Muslim Community As soon as the Khawarij knew the result of arbitration they again separated and this time rose in an open revolt. A new group was thus created in the history of Islam which proved to be more dangerous than any other group existing before then. As it has been discussed in connection with the assassination of Hazrat Usman (Rad.A) the Muslim community was divided into four main groups viz, Usmanis, Shi’ani-i-Ali, Marhabah and Ahl-al-Sunnah. Marhabis were absorbed in other groups. The remaining three groups were still
314 Political and Cultural History of Islam
existing. Now the fourth group of Kharijites (”Khawarji”) was
formed. Before proceeding further let us see the main beliefs of these
•groups.
(i) Usmanis They were now confined to Syria under the banner of Amir Mu’awiya (Rad.A). They demanded that until the assassins of Hazrat Usman (Rad.A) were punished or handed over to them, they would not accept the Khilafat of Hazrat Ali (Rad.A). But after the so called judgment of the arbitrators, they totally rejected the Khilafat of Hazrat Ali (Rad.A) and took Bai’at (Pledge of Loyalty) at the hand of Amir Mu’a\viya after declaring him as the Caliph.
