In his presentation...

In his presentation, one sees a profound unity and harmony within the core community of Muslims, a unity and harmony founded on strict fidelity to the legacy of Muhammad. It is unthinkable that men such as those portrayed by Sayf could have been moved by worldly ambition and greed. On the contrary, in Sayf's presentation most conflicts are illusory, a reflection of malicious misinterpretations by later commentators.

Where real conflicts did arise among sincere Muslims, they were instigated by outsiders like the notorious Abdullah Ibn Saba, a converted Jew from Yemen. On this level, at least, Sayf's version of events is obviously a very naive one, and no doubt Tabari perceived…