The External Target

2. The Call to God and Unity ~ 47 ~ Even the killing of caliph ‘Uthman could not put an end to Muslims’ internal strife, for now they were divided into two groups over the requital for the murder of Caliph ‘Uthman. This deadly fight between the two factions continued for years. Deviation from the general cause of calling people to Islam harmed Muslims in two ways; on the one hand the process of dissemination and promotion of Islam came to a complete halt, while on the other the Muslims’ strength began to be pitted against their own people. Islam, once a binding force, now became the banner under which internal battles were fought. Having experienced ten long years of strife and conflict, the Muslims were reunited in the year 41 A.H. And for that reason it is known in the history of Islam as the year of reunion. This blessing of unity came to the Muslims through Hasan ibn ‘Ali about whom the Prophet had predicted that he would be the harbinger of peace and reconciliation between the two great factions of Muslims. Hasan was appointed the fifth caliph after the death of his father ‘Ali. Seeing that the caliphate had