Write an account of the martyrdom of 'Uthman and the election of Ali as caliph.

Mark scheme

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

1. [10] (a) Candidates do not need to write about the causes of the rebellion in Madina, in any great detail in answer to this question, though some may refer to it and the account should be read as development of the answer.
2. [10] (a) Candidates need to state that as the rebellion in Madina intensified and the rebels surrounded the house of the caliph 'Ali, Talha and Zubayr sent their sons to guard 'Uthman's door from any direct assault. When the rebels got the news that an elite force dispatched from Syria was 120 km from Madina they decided to act.
3. [10] (a) They first attacked the caliph's house which was bravely defended by Hasan, 'Ali's son, and Muhammad, Talha's son. Marwan and his troops offered some resistance but were outnumbered and Marwan was seriously wounded. In the fight that followed, the rebels led by Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr reached 'Uthman just as the call for Friday prayer being given. He was alone in his room with his wife Naila, reading the Qur'an. As the rebel's sword pierced his forehead, drops of his blood fell on Verse 137 of Sura al Baqarah.
4. [10] (a) 'Uthman's wife threw herself over his body to protect it from indignity and did not move even after two of her fingers were sliced off.
5. [10] (a) After 'Uthman's death 'Ali was recognised as caliph by the Muslims of Madina and the rebels. He was the only figure trusted by the different groups of Muslims. The public ceremony took place in the Prophet's mosque, in 656, where the faithful pledged their loyalty to 'Ali. Both Talha and Zubayr also swore the oath of allegiance to 'Ali.
6. [4] (b) Candidates need to give their views in answer to this question.
7. [4] (b) Candidates could give one view and discuss it or give more than one view. It could be said that Ali had to face strong opposition soon after becoming caliph because of the new officials that he appointed which aggrieved those removed as well as their supporters.
8. [4] (b) Ali was under pressure from many of the Companions. Talha, Zubayr and Aisha believed that the killers of 'Uthman should be promptly brought to justice. 'Ali's decision to postpone this matter created discontent against him.
9. [4] (b) Mu'awiya the governor of Syria refused to step down from his post till the assassins of 'Uthman, his cousin, had been brought to justice and this led to serious consequences for 'Ali.