Outline the characteristics of the caliphates of all four Rightly Guided Caliphs which make them an example of leadership for Muslim rulers.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2017). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. 4(a) Candidates could say that the Rightly Guided Caliphs are an example of leadership for Muslim rulers as firstly they were chosen by the shura and general consensus of Muslims, which immediately establishes democracy and proves that there is no place for dictatorship in Muslim countries. Here candidates can quote from the famous speech Abu Bakr delivered at the time of his election. They could also write about how the other caliphs were elected, e.g. Abu Bakr nominated 'Umar and as there was no opposition to him he was elected. On his death bed ‘Umar appointed a panel of six to choose the next caliph, 'Ali to was elected by the Muslims in the mosque of the Prophet (pbuh). These examples go to show that leadership or caliphate is not a hereditary concept in Islam. And if it wasn't practised by the Rightly Guided Caliphs, surely there is no place for it in today's democratic world.
2. 4(a) The caliphs always consulted the majlis e shura in the affairs of the state where everyone was free to express their opinion. Everyone in the caliphate was also free to express their opinion and criticise the caliph. Here as an example of this practice it could be written that once a woman asked 'Umar during his caliphate how he made a shirt from a piece of cloth from the bait ul maal when it was not long enough for others to make a shirt from and he replied to her that his son had given him his share. Detail and development of points made will take the answer to higher levels. Other examples of leadership could be that the caliphs were available to the people at all times and that the judiciary was independent and nobody was above the law. Again examples of these and other such points made would give substance to the answer. It could also be said that the bait ul maal was public property and was so treated by the caliphs.
3. 4(a) The best answers will be those which deal with the caliphates of all four caliphs.
4. 4(b) A range of responses could be given and the answer does not necessarily have to take a quality given in part (a), though there is no restriction on it being from part (a). Candidates could say e.g. that religious tolerance practised and encouraged by the caliphs was their greatest quality or the implementation of justice, or the enforcement of the pillars of Islam or the democratic way in which they were elected. All valid responses are to be credited and should be backed by reasons for the choice, e.g. if the candidates chose the religious tolerance as the most important characteristic of the rule of the caliphs, they could say that if practised today it would lead to peace and harmony in the community. Countries would be safe for all its citizens not just Muslims, also religious tolerance shows the implementation of Islamic teaching as God says that there is no compulsion in religion.