# Battle of Siffin (657)

URL: https://allhistories.com/islam/timeline/657-battle-of-siffin
Location: Siffin, Levant
Themes: War

Ali and Mu'awiya fight an inconclusive battle and agree to arbitration. At this point in the timeline (657), the caliph was Ali of the Rashidun line (17 June 656 – 28 January 661).

## Why it matters
Battle of Siffin mattered because it shows how warfare shaped Muslim states and their relations with neighbours.

Caliph at the Time: [Ali](https://allhistories.com/islam/caliphs/ali)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Battle of Siffin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Siffin)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Battle of Siffin](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Battle+of+Siffin)
- [Wikipedia — Rashidun Caliphate (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashidun_Caliphate)