Choose any two caliphs from the three given below and say how and why they were martyred: • 'Umar; • 'Uthman; and • 'Ali.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. 3(a) In this answer candidates need to select two of the three caliphs listed in the question and write about why and how they were martyred.
2. 3(a) Candidates could say that 'Umar was murdered by a Persian slave Abu Lulu who had a personal grudge against the caliph. It is believed that Hazrat 'Umar had rejected his appeal to be relieved from paying a tax and Abu Lulu in revenge attacked the caliph as he was leading the morning prayers. Hazrat ‘Umar could not survive his injuries and 3 days after his attack he passed away in Madina. As per his wishes he was buried in the Masjid e Nabawi next to the Prophet and Abu Bakr with Hazrat Ayesha's permission.
3. 3(a) Various charges were laid against 'Uthman during the second half of his caliphate. He was accused of appointing his relatives in high positions in the caliphate, spending money from the bait ul maal on them, burning copies of the Qur'an etc. The unrest against 'Uthman finally resulted in the rebels surrounding his house. When after a long siege the rebels received the news that an elite force dispatched from Syria was 120 km away from Madina they decided to act.
4. 3(a) They attacked 'Uthman's house that was bravely defended by Hasan and Muhammad (Ali and Talha's sons) who were wounded. 'Uthman had instructed his household not to resist the rebels as he was their only target and they meekly laid down their arms. Marwan and his troops did put up a resistance and managed to push back a band of rebels. However, Marwan was seriously wounded and the rebels led by Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr reached the caliph as the Friday prayer was being called out. 'Uthman was alone in his room with his wife Naila reading the Qur'an when the rebel's sword blade pierced him. As his body lay on the ground one of the assassins pierced his shirt nine times and his wife Naila threw herself on him to protect his body from any further indignity.
5. 3(a) The year 660 had been the year of the two oaths and by the end of the year an informal truce was agreed upon between 'Ali and Mu'awiya. The incident of the two oaths of loyalty imposed upon the Muslims not only angered many of the old believers but aroused the fury of the three Kharijites, who at the conclusion of hajj that year decided to act. On the 40th anniversary of the Prophet's migration to Madina in 661 they would strike and free Islam from persecution by removing ‘Ali, Mu'awiya and Amr. Three attacks were planned to take place in the second week of Ramadan during Friday prayers in the great mosques at Fustat, Damascus and Kufa. The latter two however, got saved but ‘Ali suffered a mortal blow of which he died two days later at the age of 63. His burial place was never disclosed.
6. 3(b) It could be said that 'Umar was a man of strong faith and principles and always remained firm in what he believed to be right and did not waver from what he thought to be the correct and just course of action. Candidates could go on to say that he was killed by Abu Lulu who was disgruntled by his decision to not relieve him from the payment of a tax. The lessons that Muslims learn from this tragic event could be given that leaders sometimes have to take unpopular decisions which could cause them difficulty but they must never opt to take the easy option rather they should do what is right; they must not shy away from their responsibilities for the sake of personal safety etc. All valid responses to be marked on their own merit.