Who fought at the Battle of the Camel in 656?

The Battle of the Camel, which took place in December 656, was a pivotal conflict during the first major internal struggle within the Muslim community, known as the fitnah.

The battle pitted the forces of the fourth caliph, ‘Alī, against an opposition army led by ‘Ā’ishah—one of the widows of the Prophet Muhammad—alongside two prominent Companions of the Prophet: Talhah and Zubayr.12

The opposition forces had risen against ‘Alī because he failed to bring the murderers of the third caliph, ‘Uthmān, to justice. The engagement earned its name from the intense fighting that centered around the camel upon which ‘Ā’ishah was mounted. While the victory temporarily secured ‘Alī’s position, the conflict inaugurated a period of civil war that ultimately contributed to the religious schism between the Sunnis and the Shi‘ah.12