Final answer:
Fitna in many Muslim sects signifies sedition, temptation, or civil strife, and is a historical term associated with civil wars within Islam, particularly the First Fitna that marked the beginning of the Sunni and Shi'a schisms subsequent to the Prophet Muhammad's death.
Step-by-step explanation:
For many Muslim sects, fitna signifies sedition, temptation, or civil strife. It is often associated with the wars fought between various Muslim groups throughout history. The term fitna is particularly notable for its reference to the First Fitna or Muslim civil war, which occurred following the death of the Prophet Muhammad in Medina and led to the formation of the two major Islamic sects, the Sunni and Shi'a, with disputes over rightful leadership succession.
Another significant historical event referred to as a fitna occurred when Arabs crossed into Spain at Gibraltar, which includes the Battle of Tours in central France where Muslim forces were defeated. Understanding the concept of fitna within the broader scope of Islamic history helps underline the enduring conflicts that arose from religious and political schisms, comparable to those found in other faiths, such as between Catholics and Protestants in Christianity.
In Islam, fitna can also relate to the idea of a broader struggle, similar but distinct from the concept of jihad, which means struggle or striving in the way of God. Though jihad has often been misunderstood, it predominantly refers to the internal or personal effort to live in accordance with Islamic faith and can manifest as a 'jihad of the heart', symbolizing the struggle against life's corrupting temptations.
Fitna has played a pivotal role in the shaping of Muslim societies and the divergent paths taken by its various sects, including political upheavals and the pursuit of religious purity, as seen in the actions of Islamicized Africans against their perceived corrupt Arab rulers during revolts in North Africa.