Write in detail about the Battle of Siffin and the events that led up to it.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. 4(a) Write in detail about the Battle of Siffin and the events that led up to it.
2. Use the AO1 Marking Grid
3. Candidates may include some of the following information. All other relevant information must be credited.
4. 'Ali faced opposition upon assuming caliphate. He was accused of delaying taking revenge of 'Uthman's murder which led to the Battle of the Camel, the first civil war of Islam fought between Aisha and ‘Ali in which the latter was victorious.
5. 'Ali's dismissal of all the governors appointed by 'Uthman infuriated Mu'awiyah the Governor of Syria who was also the cousin of 'Uthman. He refused to step down saying he had been appointed during the caliphate of 'Umar. The struggle for power and Mu'awiyah wanting the assassins of 'Uthman to be brought to justice led to the Battle of Siffin.
6. The Battle of Siffin was fought in 657. The caliph led the army out of Kufa and met Mu'awiyah's forces at Siffin. Negotiations failed and 'Ali asked Mu'awiyah to resolve their differences by single combat, but this dangerous offer was turned down by Mu'awiyah.
7. Individual combats were fought which proved indecisive. The actual battle started on 8th Safar. 'Ali led his army from the centre surrounded by the men from Madina, with the army of Kufa forming one wing and that of Basra the other wing.
8. For three days and nights and a morning the fighting ensued with severe loss of life on both sides. By the fourth day it seemed that 'Ali's army would be victorious when Mu'awiyah's troops rode out between the battle lines with open copies of the Qur'an tied to the heads of their lances saying: 'Let the word of Allah decide between us and you. Who will defend the border towns of Syria if we are slain and who will protect the people of Iraq after you are gone? Let the book of Allah judge between you and us.'
9. 'Ali and his commanders feared that this was a trick by Mu'awiyah to delay his defeat and urged their men to fight but they refused. It was agreed to settle the dispute by arbitration.
10. Account of the arbitration is not needed in the answer as the question focuses on the Battle of Siffin and the events that led up to it.
11. 4(b) In your opinion, what was the main consequence of this battle? Give reasons to support your answer.
12. Use the AO2 Marking Grid
13. Candidates may include some of the following information. All other relevant information must be credited.
14. Candidates need to give their view as to what in their opinion was the main consequence of this battle's outcome and its effect. They could say that it diminished 'Ali's authority; that it gave rise to the kharijites who caused further divisions in the umma and led to the assassination of 'Ali.