The Battle of Siffin was a major conflict during the First Fitna, occurring in July 657. It pitted the forces of Ali ibn Abu Talib, the fourth caliph and close relative of the Prophet Muhammad, against the troops commanded by Muawiyah I, the governor of Syria and a relative of the third caliph Uthman ibn Affan, who had been assassinated shortly before this conflict. The clash unfolded near the Euphrates River in Syria, a strategic location that served as a vital waterway for both armies. The political backdrop of the battle was marked by deep divisions within the nascent Muslim community, primarily over questions of rightful leadership and governance following Uthman’s death.The two armies consisted of approximately 120,000 troops each, and the engagement included skirmishes and full-scale battles over several days. As the fight progressed, the situation became increasingly complex, culminating in a demand by Muawiyah's forces for arbitration. This proposal led to further discord among the ranks of Ali's supporters, some of whom favored continued combat while others sought peace. The conflict ultimately ended without a decisive victory for either side, leading to the Treaty of Siffin, which introduced arbitration as a means of resolving their differences and compounded divisions within the Muslim community, eventually contributing to the rise of sectarianism in Islam.Despite a lack of a conclusive outcome, the Battle of Siffin set significant precedents in the political maneuverings within the Islamic state. It highlighted the challenges faced by Ali's leadership and underscored the complications that arose due to competing interests in the early Islamic era. The shift towards arbitration would later lead to the establishment of factions, marking the beginnings of Sunni and Shia divisions that still resonate in contemporary Islamic societies.