were also secret movements organized for the purpose of undermining all moral and religious beliefs in the minds of Muslims. These began in the middle of the seventh century resulting in an immense schism in Islam that led to open warfare. An important faction to rise out of the many splits was the Ismailis who up to about A.D. 872 remained believers. At this time Abdullah ibn Maymun, an intriguer of extraordinary cunning, succeeded in capturing control of the movement which then became subversive, not only of Islamism, but of all religious beliefs. The Ismailis movement became a model for the organization of modern secret societies. The first open acts of violence resulting from the doctrines of Abdullah were carried out by the Karmathites, a secret society named after its leader Karmath. Karmath, a bora schemer who believed in nothing, became the leader of the Karmathites in Arabia society. Karmath persuaded his followers to give all of their money to him and establish a community of goods and wives. Becoming absolute master of their minds, he led them away from all religion and released them from all the duties of piety, devotion, and the fear of God. This was just the opposite of what he had prescribed for them before they were "enlightened." He permitted them pillage (robbery by violent means), and every sort of immoral license, teaching that they 24 The Secret Side of History where a number of Arabs were soon enlisted in the