The Rightly Guided Caliphs

15 Grade 8 Religious Education (IRE) questions on The Rightly Guided Caliphs, with worked marking schemes. 15 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   The four leaders who governed the Muslim community immediately after the death of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) are collectively known as the:

   A. Prophets

   B. Khulafau Rashidun (Rightly Guided Caliphs)

   C. Sahaba only

   D. Imams

   (1 mark)

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2. Question 2

   1 mark

   The second Caliph, known for his justice and for establishing the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, was:

   A. Umar bin Khattab

   B. Abu Bakr

   C. Ali bin Abi Talib

   D. Uthman bin Affan

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   1 mark

   During the caliphate of Abu Bakr, one of his major achievements was:

   A. Fighting the Riddah (apostasy) wars and collecting the Qur'an into a written form

   B. Building the Kaaba

   C. Standardising the Qur'an into copies sent to the cities

   D. Establishing the Hijri calendar

   (1 mark)

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4. Question 4

   1 mark

   A class studies the four Rightly Guided Caliphs (Khulafa al-Rashidun) who led the Muslims after the Prophet S.A.W. The teacher asks who became the very first Caliph immediately after the Prophet's death. Who was he?

   A. Ali ibn Abi Talib

   B. Uthman ibn Affan

   C. Abu Bakr al-Siddiq

   D. Umar ibn al-Khattab

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   5 marks

   Umar bin Khattab is remembered as a just and effective leader.

   (a) State the title given to him because of his fairness.

   (b) Give three of his achievements as Caliph.

   (5 marks)

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6. Question 6

   4 marks

   A Grade 8 class is learning about the leaders who guided the Muslim community after the death of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.).

   (a) Name the four Rightly Guided Caliphs (Al-Khulafa ar-Rashidun) in the correct order. (2 marks)

   (b) State two contributions of Abu Bakr (R.A.) to Islam during his caliphate. (2 marks)

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) In order: (i) Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, (ii) Umar ibn al-Khattab, (iii) Uthman ibn Affan, (iv) Ali ibn Abi Talib (R.A.). (2 marks) (b) Any two: he united the Muslims and suppressed the Ridda (apostasy) wars after the Prophet's death; he ordered the first collection/compilation of the Qur'an into one Mushaf (carried out by Zayd ibn Thabit) after many huffaz were martyred at the Battle of Yamamah; he continued sending out armies to spread Islam (e.g. towards Syria and Iraq). (2 marks)

7. Question 7

   5 marks

   After the death of the Prophet (S.A.W.), the Muslim community was led by the four Rightly Guided Caliphs (Khulafa Rashidun). A learner is curious about the first caliph and his contributions during his short rule.

   (a) Name the first of the Rightly Guided Caliphs and state the title by which he is well known. (2 marks)

   (b) Describe three contributions/achievements of his caliphate. (3 marks)

   (5 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Abu Bakr (R.A.); he is known by the title 'As-Siddiq' (the Truthful / the one who readily affirmed the truth). (2 marks) (b) Three contributions (any three, 1 mark each): - He fought and overcame the Ridda (apostasy) wars, keeping the Muslim community united after the Prophet's death. - He ordered the first collection/compilation of the Qur'an into one written copy after many huffadh were martyred at the Battle of Yamamah. - He continued sending out armies to spread and defend Islam (e.g. towards Syria and Iraq). - He upheld the payment of zakat and maintained justice and humility in leadership.

8. Question 8

   6 marks

   Abu Bakr As-Siddiq led the Muslim community through a difficult period after the Prophet's death. Explain three challenges he faced and how he handled them.

   (6 marks)

   Marking scheme

   2 marks each for any three: apostasy (Riddah) - many tribes left Islam/refused zakat, and he firmly fought the Riddah wars to restore unity; false prophets arose (e.g. Musaylimah) and he sent armies to defeat them; loss of many Qur'an memorisers (huffaz) in the battle of Yamamah, so he ordered the collection of the Qur'an into a written form; uniting and reassuring the grieving community after the Prophet's death through his famous speech affirming Allah is ever-living. Accept relevant challenge + response.

9. Question 9

   1 mark

   The third Caliph, who is credited with compiling the Qur'an into a single standard written copy (mushaf) and distributing it, was:

   A. Abu Bakr

   B. Umar bin Khattab

   C. Ali bin Abi Talib

   D. Uthman bin Affan

   (1 mark)

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10. Question 10

    4 marks

    State four qualities of leadership demonstrated by the Rightly Guided Caliphs that modern Kenyan leaders can emulate.

    (4 marks)

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11. Question 11

    1 mark

    Who was the FIRST of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, and a close companion who accompanied the Prophet (SAW) during the Hijrah?

    A. Abu Bakr As-Siddiq

    B. Ali bin Abi Talib

    C. Umar bin Khattab

    D. Uthman bin Affan

    (1 mark)

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12. Question 12

    6 marks

    Uthman bin Affan made a lasting contribution to the preservation of the Qur'an.

    (a) Describe this contribution.

    (b) Explain two benefits of it to the Muslim Ummah today.

    (6 marks)

    Marking scheme

    (a) 2 marks: he ordered the compilation of the Qur'an into one standardised written copy (mushaf) based on the copy collected under Abu Bakr, made copies and sent them to major cities, and ordered other variant copies destroyed to prevent differences in recitation. (b) 2 marks each for any two: it preserved the Qur'an unchanged/uniform to this day; it prevented disputes and differences over recitation; it unified the Ummah on one standard text; it made teaching and learning of the Qur'an consistent worldwide.

13. Question 13

    1 mark

    A history lesson covers the four Khulafa ar-Rashidun who led the Muslim community after the Prophet (S.A.W.). The teacher asks the students to name the first caliph, the close companion who accompanied the Prophet (S.A.W.) in the cave during the Hijrah. Who was he?

    A. Umar ibn al-Khattab (R.A.)

    B. Uthman ibn Affan (R.A.)

    C. Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (R.A.)

    D. Ali ibn Abi Talib (R.A.)

    (1 mark)

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14. Question 14

    1 mark

    The fourth Rightly Guided Caliph, who was the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet (SAW), was:

    A. Uthman bin Affan

    B. Umar bin Khattab

    C. Ali bin Abi Talib

    D. Abu Bakr

    (1 mark)

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15. Question 15

    1 mark

    The system of choosing a leader through consultation and consensus, as practised in the selection of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, is known as:

    A. Sunnah

    B. Zakat

    C. Hijrah

    D. Shura

    (1 mark)

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