Islam: Social Discord Or Social Division?

The first century from the inception of Islam, 622 CE – 719 CE, was marked by little political discord and social division as the community of believers constituted a non-Muslim group which drew on theists of various faiths and denominations beforehand. At the end of that century, the Islamic faith began to take on the form of its own distinct group. The period prior to the reign of Abd al-Malik, 685 CE -705 CE, was a tolerant and accepting model of the Islamic faith. Although, there is lack of historical evidence on the one hand and counter-arguments made in favor of a divisive and aggressive model of political discord and social division from the very inception of the Islamic religion. Evidence presented for the former view relies on the mention in the Quran, suggesting a diverse community in which Jews and Christians lived alongside Muslims. But there are opposing opinions which suggest that the evidence for this is thin, and
Muawiyah became the leader after Ali's death. His reign was characterized by further expansion, but it was his death which meant that some of the competing power groups were triggered again into conflict, when his son Yazid and Hussayn, in the year 680 CE, entered into the second fitna. The Battle of Karbala, which saw Hussayn and many of his followers killed, can be identified as the emergence of the Shia sect and religion within Islam. The consequences of which for political and social discord within the Islamic world are still being felt today. During the period of Umayyad rule, heavy taxation meant an increase in wealth but it fostered further social discord. This social discord diverged considerably from the message of spiritual concern over worldly concern as articulated by Prophet Muhammad. As such, the theme of the allocation and valuation of resources and material wealth again reoccurs in this early history as a site of social and political