Battle of the Camel (Battle of Jamal)

The Battle of the Camel was the first major armed conflict between Muslims, occurring during the First Fitna (civil strife) following the assassination of Uthman ibn Affan. A coalition led by Aisha (the Mother of the Believers), Talha ibn Ubaydullah, and Zubayr ibn al-Awwam — all senior companions — demanded that Ali ibn Abi Talib pursue the killers of Uthman before they would recognise his caliphate. The battle gets its name from the camel upon which Aisha was carried in a litter, which became the focal point of fighting. Zubayr withdrew before the main battle after Ali reminded him of a hadith, and was later killed. Talha was wounded and died shortly after. Aisha's forces were defeated, and she was escorted with full honours back to Medina. Approximately 10,000 Muslims died on both sides. Ahl us-Sunnah scholars maintain silence about the conflict, acknowledging that all parties were sincere believers who made ijtihad, erred in some cases, and that we hope for Allah's mercy on them all.