'Ali's caliphate was riddled with problems. Describe what these problems were.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2014). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [10] Candidates could well write about the crisis loaded atmosphere in which ‘Ali came to power. After the assassination of ‘Uthman Madina was without any government for 3 days and was virtually controlled by the rebels who were pressing 'Ali to take on the caliphate. The clan of 'Uthman on the other hand demanded swift action against the murderers once he assumed power. The change of governors resulted in creating a power struggle between ‘Ali and Mu'awiya. To add to that the Muslim empire had become so vast that communicating and controlling affairs was no easy task. The battles fought in his short reign were the first civil wars in Islam. These battles were, the battle of Camel in which Talha, Zubayr who had initially sided with 'Ali turned against him and raised the cry for vengeance for the assassination of ‘Uthman. They were supported by A'isha. An attempt was made to settle the differences but extremists provoked a fight, which grew into a battle around the camel on which A'isha was seated. The next battle was the battle of Siffin fought between 'Ali and Mu'awiya in 657AD. The fight proved indecisive for many days and when it appeared that Mu'awiya's side might lose he ordered his soldiers to fix the Qur'an on their lances and called for arbitration. Some advanced answers could well give an account of the battle of Nahrawan as well. The above are the enormous problems ‘Ali faced on assuming caliphate. Good answers will need to develop many of these problems and not simply list them. A detailed and well developed answer will take the candidates to higher levels.
2. [4] A variety of answers could be given by the candidates. The candidates in this answer need to write their reasons for why the event they have chosen from Part (a) to discuss in this answer was significant e.g. they could choose the battle of Camel and say how this was the first civil war amongst the Muslims etc. Good evaluation is what will earn the candidates the higher levels.