This episode discusses what could be described with some reservations as the first sectarian group to rise within Islam. The Kharijites are often presented as a radical and violent group that terrorized the early community. What do we make of this image? This short introduction to the Kharijites gives some initial guidance in trying to answer this question. Sources and Additional Readings:Kitab al-milal wal-nihal          by al-Shahrastani    Les schismes dans l'Islam      by Henri Laoust