KHULAFAU RASHIDEEN

Select the choice that accurately lists the “Rightly-Guided Caliphs” in the order of their reign.

• Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali.

• Mu’awiyah, Muhammad, Constantine and Elmo.

• Muhammad, Ali, Abu Bakr and Mu’awiyah.

• Abu Bakr, Umar, Yazid, and Husayn.

The caliphs above were known as the “Rightly-Guided Caliphs” because:

• they talked to God.

• they taught Muhammad about Islam.

• they were great generals.

• they sought to lead the ummah according to the teachings of Muhammad.

Under the early caliphs, the Muslim Empire extended to:

• Spain to the West and India in the East.

• England to the West and Japan in the East.

• Finland in the north to South Africa.

• Constantinople to Xi’an (capital of China).

Which Muslim sect believes that only blood relatives of Muhammad should be caliphs?

• Sunni’s

• Kharijites

• Sufi’s

• Shi’ites

He received the news about the prophet teaching Islam and readily believed in him. He was the fourth person to accept Islam and the first grown up among men. Who is he?

• Umar RAA

• Abubakar RAA

• Ali RAA

• Uthman RAA

Which of the following is true about Abu Bakr RAA. Choose as many answers as you deem fit

• He financially assisted the spread of Islam during its early phase

• On the onset of persecutions, he used his wealth to buy the freedom of slaves who were being tortured by their masters

• During the battle of Uhud, he courageously shielded the prophet from the stones and arrows that were being thrown by the Makkans

• He married off his daughter Aisha, to the prophet in order to strengthen their relationship

• On the 9th year after Hijra, the Prophet appointed him to lead the Muslims who were going for pilgrimage

When you are new in any leadership position, you may be faced with several challenges. Which of the following challenges did Abubakar face? Choose 3

• The Ridda wars also known as ‗the Wars of Apostasy‘ against rebel Arabian tribes during 632 and 633 CE, just after the Prophet died. The rebels' position was that they had submitted to Muhammad as the prophet of God, but owed nothing to Abubakar.

• Appointing his relatives to higher positions in government e.g he dismissed Amr bin A'as in Egypt and replaced him with Abdillahi ibn Sarah, his half brother

• Upon the death of the Prophet, some Arabs laid claim to the Prophecy and became imposters and renegades. Tulaiha, Musailamah, Aswad Ansi and a woman named Sajah claimed that they were prophets and caused a great deal of confusion.

• As a result of the death of a number of memorizers, caliph Abubakar was forced to compile the Qur‘an. This was a challenging task and he had to select the correct panelist to compile the Quran. Zaid bin Thabit was given the responsibility to chair the group.

• He was accused of ignoring the surviving swahabas and rarely sought their advice and relied on the advice of his secretary Marwan bin Hakam who was his cousin

Among the challenges Abubakar faced was the War on apostacy. What was this about

• The fight against the false prophets. Upon the death of the Prophet, some Arabs laid claim to the Prophecy and became imposters and renegades. Tulaiha, Musailamah, Aswad Ansi and a woman named Sajah claimed that they were prophets and caused a great deal of confusion. Abubakr (RA) was quick to take action against these imposters.

• Completing the planned war expedition to Syria. Before the death of the Prophet, he had sent Usama bin Zaid to conquer Syria. The army had not gone far when the Prophet fell ill and died. So they had to cancel their mission. When Abubakar (RA) became a caliph, the question was raised whether the army should be sent again or should remain to defend Madina. Abubakar made a firm decision and said, "I shall send Usama's army on its way as ordered by the Prophet, even if I am left alone."

• These were a series of military campaigns launched by Abubakar (RA) against rebel Arabian tribes during 632 and 633 CE, just after the Prophet died. The rebels' position was that they had submitted to Muhammad as the prophet of God, but owed nothing to Abubakar. Some rebels followed those who claimed prophet hood. Most of the tribes were defeated and brought back to Islam. The peoples surrounding Makkah did not revolt.

Pick any four outstanding qualities Muslim leaders can learn from Abu Bakar (RAA)

• Be a man of simple habits and absolute devotion and leading a very simple life

• Always seek solutions to problems based on the teachings given in the holy Qur‘an and the prophet‘s traditions (Hadith).

• Sacrifice your wealth and possessions for the sake of Islam

• Stay away from people and be devoted to your life in this world and in the hereafter

• Sympathize with the poor and needy in the community

Which among these is not an achievement of Abubakar (RAA)

• He supervised his officials keenly despite his soft heartedness; he was very strict and would take stern action on any official who would misuse his office

• He laid a foundation stone of the caliphate. His election as a caliph showed democracy in Islam.

• He fought for the rights of all the people including the minorities and gave them protection in even the non-Islamic states around. He reduced the tax and asked only those who were able to pay

• He destroyed all the incorrect hadith that he had collected for fear of misleading the Muslims

• He divided the areas, which came under his rule into provinces and appointed governors.