Ali's concession at the Battle of Siffin arouses the anger of a large group of his followers.

Disappointed with 'Ali's failure to insist on his right to rule, they protest, Qur (judgment) belongs to God alone; and believe that arbitration would be a repudiation of the Qur'anic dictum (49:9) "If one party rebels against the other, fight against that which rebels”.

A small number of these pietists (kharaju) withdraw to the village of Harura' under the leadership of Ibn Wahb and, when arbitration proves disastrous to 'Ali, are joined near Nahrawan by a larger group.

These Kharijites (”Seceders”), as they come to be known, are opposed equally to the claims of Ali and to those of Muawiyah.