Battle of Nahrawan

The Battle of Nahrawan (Arabic: مَعْرَكَة النَّهْرَوَان, romanized: Ma'rakat an-Nahrawān) was fought between the largely Kufan forces of the fourth Rashidun caliph Ali and the Kharijites in July 658 CE (Safar 38 AH). The latter were a group of former allies of Ali during the First Fitna. They separated from him following the Battle of Siffin when Ali agreed to settle the conflict with Mu'awiya ibn Abi Sufyan, the long-time governor of the Levant, through arbitration, a move labeled by the group as against the Qur'an. After failed attempts to regain their loyalty and because of their rebellious and violent activities, Ali confronted the Kharijites near their headquarters by the Nahrawan Canal, near modern-day Baghdad. Of the 4,000 rebels, some 1,200 were won over with the promise of amnesty while the majority of the remaining 2,800 rebels were killed in the ensuing battle. Other sources put the casualties at 1500–1800.

The battle resulted in a permanent split between the group and the rest of the Muslims, whom the Kharijites branded as apostates. Although defeated, they continued to threaten and harass cities and towns for several years. Ali was assassinated by a Kharijite in January 661.