i- Those who abstained from all political activities.

ii- Those who refused to support both the 'Umayyads and Shi'is from religious scruples and wanted their own rule - i.e. the survivors from the battle of al-Nahrawan, and the other Muhakkimah who refused to fight against 'Ali, but became strong opponents of 'Umayyad rule. Among the leading personalities who survived the battle of al-Nahrawan was Abu Bilal b. Hadir. Ibadhi authorities reported that Abu Bilal was a close friend of Jabir b. Zaid.53 According to some Ibadhi scholars, Abu Bilal revolted against the 'Umayyads with Jabir's approval.54 Others say that the revolt was Abu Bilal's idea, and that he urged Jabir b. Zaid to join him in it.55 It can be suggested that the Muhakkimah, after the death of their Imam 'Abdullah b. Wahb al-Rasibi, found their natural leader in Jabir, an Azdi of the same tribe as 'Abdullah b. Wahb, for he had vast knowledge of the Qur'an and Sunnah. In my personal opinion he was no more than a religious leader to whom his followers came to learn Islam, and to ask questions concerning religious matters. His leadership at the early stage was not effective, partly because this group did not get a chance to organize themselves into a clear religious and political movement; and partly because the 'Umayyads' would not allow any kind of leadership to manifest itself, for declaration of any such leadership could mean a proclamation of a new Caliphate, which the 'Umayyads strongly opposed. Another reason was the influence of the concept of Quraishite leadership; for it was clear that the Muslim community as a whole did not approve of any leadership on the level of the Caliphate except that of the Quraish. This could be the reason which made the outstanding leaders of this party join 'Abdullah b. al-Zubair and support him against the 'Umayyads, hoping that he would accept their views. Among these leaders was 'Abdullah b. Ibadhi.56

The revolt of Nafi' b. al-'Azraq, the leader of the extreme Kharijite movement bearing his name al-Azariqah, was a new event which changed the course of the Muhakkimah party and the nature of Jabir's relation to it. Jabir was strongly opposed to the views and policy of Nafi' and his followers and rejected their opinion regarding their Muslim opponents, whom they considered as idolaters, holding it lawful to kill and despoil them, together with their wives and children. This Jabir rejected Ibadhi sources preserved an account of the following argument between Jabir and the Kharijis, reported by Dumam said, "Jabir used to go the Kharijites and ask them, 'Has not God forbidden the shedding of the blood of Muslims in the name of religion?' They say, 'Yes'. Jabir says, 'Has not He allowed Muslims to fight after He has prohibited that in the name of religion?' They say 'Yes'. He says, 'And has He prohibited friendship with them after commanding it by religion?' They say, 'Yes' after they admit this Jabir says, 'Has He allowed anything beyond this in the name of din?' (Referring the despoiling Muslims and killing their women and