Outline the charges levelled against ‘Uthman by his opponents, and describe the main events of the revolt against him.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2015). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. (a) A descriptive response stating what the charges against ‘Uthman were e.g. it was alleged that he had appointed inefficient relatives as governors in four provinces; it was also alleged that he was too lenient and did not keep a check on his governors; another charge against him was that he had burned copies of the Qur'an and also that he spent on his relatives from the Bait-ul Maal could be given as the primary charges against him. Candidates need to also write about the revolt that took place against 'Uthman that led to his martyrdom. Some of the candidates could give the causes of the revolt and say: His soft nature was taken advantage of, the fact that he sometimes overlooked the faults of his governors made them bold and as a result caused unrest in the provincial capitals which grew to engulf the entire Islamic state; Abdullah bin Saba, a Yemenite Jew who outwardly accepted Islam embarked on a subtle campaign of creating dissension amongst the Muslims and 'Uthman did not take timely action against him. Rivalry between the houses of Hashim and the Umayya also contributed to this revolt and finally candidates need to describe how the rebels laid siege to his house which continued for fifty days and finally killed him as he was reciting the Qur'an.
2. (b) Candidates need to give their view of what they think was the worst outcome that resulted from the martyrdom of ‘Uthman. They could say that the unity of the Muslims suffered a huge blow and led to the civil wars in the caliphate of 'Ali or any other reason which makes a valid response could be given and credited as such.