CHAPTER II.

Origin of the Khalifat— The first Khalifs— Extent of the Arabian Empire— ^Schism among the Mohammedans — Soonees and Shefths — Sects of the latter — The Keis- sanee — The Zeidites — ^The Ghoollat — The Imame»>— Sects of the Imamee — Their political Character — ^The Carmathites — Origin of the Fatimite Khalifs — Secret Society at Cairo — Doctrines taught in it — Its Decline 24