Prior to the Battle of Karbala, the Muslim community was divided into two political factions. Nonetheless, a religious sect with distinct theological doctrines and specific set of rituals had not developed.[1][2][103] Karbala gave this early political party of pro-Alids a distinct religious identity and helped transform it into a distinct religious sect.[104][95] Heinz Halm writes: "There was no religious aspect to Shi'ism prior to 680.