Explain the importance of 'Ali for Shi'i Muslims.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2022). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [10] A01 – Knowledge and understanding
2. 'Ali was close to Muhammad (pbuh), who paired with him as his brother on arrival in Medina and married his daughter Fatimah to 'Ali. These facts are agreed by Sunni Muslims. Additionally, 'Ali is important to Shi'i Muslims because they believe Muhammad (pbuh) appointed 'Ali as his heir.
3. This is contained in the Hadith at Ghadir Khumm or the Pond of Khumm and others, according to Shi'i interpretations. The Hadith states: 'Whosoever's Mawla I am, this 'Ali is also his Mawla. O Allah, befriend whosoever befriends him and be the enemy of whosoever is hostile to him.'
4. 'Ali is a focus for Shi'i to stand up for the right and the true. This theme follows from their belief that he and his family were the rightful successors to Muhammad (pbuh) and faced injustice, particularly for Hussain who was present with 72 members of his family at Karbala, which later became a focus. The importance of those from Muhammad's family line leading Shi'i Muslims, all the way back to 'Ali, is still important today.
5. To Shi'i, 'Ali was not a prophet but did have a close relationship with God and received God's guidance. This means that 'Ali in his role as Imam guides his followers with advice without error, which Shi'i follow and use as a source of Islamic law (shariah).
6. Shi'i say additional words after the statement of faith (shahadah), specifically 'Ali is the Vicegerent of Allah', reflecting the importance of 'Ali's position and reminding them of this every time they pray.
7. 'Ali's character provides inspiration to Shi'i Muslims and there are many stories of his humility and courage, particularly about the inner, spiritual side of Islam. This is also important to many Sufi Muslims.
8. Hundreds of thousands of Shi'i pilgrims visit 'Ali's tomb in Najaf annually, a place of particular devotion at which many pray and read the words of respect to 'Ali: 'Ziyarat Amin Allah.'
9. [15] AO2 – Analysis and evaluation
10. Muhammad's family may refer to his wives, children and descendants in the family line of the Prophet (pbuh). The importance of these with regards to the Sunnah traditions and the leadership of Islam, as well as spiritual authority within Islam, after the death of the Prophet (pbuh), are the focus of this question.
11. There are many stories about the importance of 'Ali during the lifetime of the Prophet (pbuh) being treated like a brother or member of the family, particularly supporting the Prophet (pbuh) during battles and living together in the early years in Medina. These are common to Sunni and Shi'i.
12. 'Ali was an important and influential Caliph, accepted as rightly guided (Rashidun) by Sunni and Shi'i Muslims. Sunnis have great respect for 'Ali and all that he achieved as leader of the Islamic community and for his role as a rightly guided Caliph.
13. 'Ali narrated many sayings and traditions from Muhammad (pbuh) which inspired Muslims through the ages, particularly Sufis from both Sunni and Shi'i traditions.
14. Muhammad (pbuh) had several wives and children. Of these, Khadijah gave birth to Fatimah, who went on to marry 'Ali, and had sons Hasan and Hussain. It is this family line of the Prophet (pbuh) who continued to be legitimate heirs to the leadership of Islam according to Shi'i Muslims.
15. Sunni Muslims accept educated people, not just from the Prophet's family, who have good knowledge of the Qur'an and are able to recite it well, and are pious and of good standing, to be leaders of the community as Caliphs or Imams. Their family background is not necessarily relevant.
16. This means that Shi'i Imams from this line formed a separate leadership from Sunni Caliphs and leaders, in the first few centuries of Islam. Shi'i Imams are also thought to possess authority to interpret the Qur'an without error, passed down through this spiritual lineage.
17. Conclusions might identify the extent of similarities and differences and make an overall, balanced conclusion. They might further assess the significance of these in the light of Sunni and Shi'i Muslims today.