Write an account of the leadership qualities shown by the Rightly Guided Caliphs during their rule. Give examples to support your answer.

Mark scheme

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

1. [10] (a) Leadership in Islam is considered a trust and a responsibility. All four caliphs led their people with strong faith, wisdom, courage, justice, compassion and patience. They were always available to the people.
2. [10] (a) The four Rightly Guided Caliphs are the best examples of leadership. They guided the people to the right path and were available to the people at all times.
3. [10] (a) Abu Bakr laid the foundations of a truly democratic society, to develop their answer, candidates could say how that was done. For example, he established the council (majlis e shura) where affairs of the state were discussed, the caliphate was divided into provinces for better governance and a state treasury was set up.
4. [10] (a) 'Umar continued to consult the majlis e shura, each province was placed under a governor called a wali, who was chosen after consultation and all appointments were based on merit and ability.
5. [10] (a) They executed justice to all. 'Umar once sacked a qadi who stood up for him when he entered the court to answer a case brought against him.
6. [10] (a) Commitment and sacrifice are other traits they displayed. 'Uthman refused to call in the army when rebels took over Madina to prevent blood shed.
7. [10] (a) They were good administrators and looked for solutions to problems through ijma' and qiyas. 'Ali was martyred whilst leading the prayers; they never surrounded themselves with bodyguards and led simple lives.
8. [10] (a) Candidates can develop their answers by bringing in examples to support the leadership qualities they write about.
9. [4] (b) Candidates can take any issue/situation that is faced by leaders today and compare it with a similar issue/situation faced by the Rightly Guided Caliphs in their time. The example candidates use must show the handling of the issue/situation and the lessons that can be learnt by leaders today from how the caliphs dealt with similar situations that arose during their period of rule.
10. [4] (b) Dealing with finances of the state, providing justice to all equally irrespective of faith or status and the appointment of officials are possible areas of comparison. The caliph's personal security, or rather lack of it, as compared to what present day rulers have for themselves could be yet another example that could be discussed.