charegites

Updated: May 8, 2025

In the temple of Mecca, three Charegites or enthusiasts discoursed of the disorders of the church and state: they soon agreed, that the deaths of Ali, of Moawiyah, and of his friend Amrou, the viceroy of Egypt, would restore the peace and unity of religion. Each of the assassins chose his victim, poisoned his dagger, devoted his life, and secretly repaired to the scene of action.

Edward Gibbon - History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 5

The spirit of discord went forth in the provinces: their deputies assembled at Medina; and the Charegites, the desperate fanatics who disclaimed the yoke of subordination and reason, were confounded among the free-born Arabs, who demanded the redress of their wrongs and the punishment of their oppressors.

Edward Gibbon - History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 5

Knowest thou not the people whom the Saracens call Charegites?" "Surely," answered the Marquis; "they are desperate and besotted enthusiasts, who devote their lives to the advancement of religion -somewhat like Templars, only they are never known to pause in the race of their calling." "Jest not," answered the scowling monk.

Sir Walter Scott - The Talisman

In the first, ten Charegites and two Awsites united in faith and love, protested, in the name of their wives, their children, and their absent brethren, that they would forever profess the creed, and observe the precepts, of the Koran. The second was a political association, the first vital spark of the empire of the Saracens.

Edward Gibbon - History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 5