PMS 2021 Solved Islamiat Past Papers | The Betterment of the People and the Ruling Class
The following question of PMS Islamiat 2021 is solved by Miss Ayesha Irfan, the highest scorer in CSS Islamiat. Moreover, the question is attempted using the same pattern taught by Sir Syed Kazim Ali to his students, who have scored the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. This solved past paper question is uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Question Breakdown
The examiner asked about the betterment of the people and the ruling class via guidance from the time of rightly guided caliphs. However, to gain a high score on the exam, you need to give solid arguments, and it’s evidence from the Quran and the Pious caliphate era. Therefore, you must break the question into an outline, introduction, critical analysis, and conclusion.
Outline
1- Introduction
2- A brief history of the Islamic governance during the pious caliphate
3- What guidance can be taken from the time of the rightly guided caliphs regarding the betterment of the people
- ✓Unity and cooperation
- ✓Adherence to Islamic principles
- ✓Supporting social welfare and justice
- ✓Focus on education
- ✓Being active in the legislative process
4- What guidance can be taken from the time of rightly guided caliphs regarding the betterment of the ruling class?
- ✓Rigorous procedure of accountability of the ruling class
- ✓ Strictly following Quran and Sunnah
- ✓Ensure Consultative governance (Shura)
- ✓ Focus on the rule of Law and Justice for all
- ✓Ensuring social welfare and equality
5-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
Islam is a system that teaches people how to live in harmony and peace while guiding them in all aspects of life, whether they are rulers or regular citizens. However, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) established a society that provided comprehensive guidance for the advancement of both the ruling class and the populace. An example of religious instruction in Islam is the Rightly-Guided Caliphs. Applying the guidance they presented will aid people today in a variety of ways, including ensuring justice, fostering a good society, abiding by the Qur’an and Sunnah, defending human rights, and treating the land with care.
A brief history of the Islamic governance during the pious caliphate
The Ummah, or followers of the Prophet, were dutifully led by the Pious Caliphs, perfect rulers who upheld Islamic law and doctrine. His immediate successors built the enormous civil pyramid after the Holy Prophet (SAW) established the fundamental administrative structures of the Islamic polity, such as the position of wali, or authorized administrator. They never skimped on the fundamentals their mentor, trainer, and lawmaker left them. Primary Hazrat Umar contributed by systematizing, regularizing, reforming, and improving the administrative structure in general and the wali’s (provincial headship) portfolio. Nonetheless, Hazrat Ali, Hazrat Abu Bakr, and Hazrat Usman offered advice on improving the lot of the populace and the ruling elite.
What guidance can be taken from the time of the rightly guided caliphs regarding the betterment of the people?
The era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs provides advice on improving people’s lives, such as obeying God and His Messenger, which should abide by the Caliph. And loyalty towards the state.
- Unity and cooperation
The pious caliphate indeed upheld the society established by the Prophet. Unity promotes strength, resiliency, and endeavours in civilizations by embodying solidarity, understanding, and group work toward a common objective. Undoubtedly, when they first turned their faces in prayer toward their first Qiblah, their bond began. For example, Dr. Abdul Islam claims that although Abu Bakr initiated entry into Syria and Iraq, Umar was the one who established a Muslim presence in these two nations. And preserve a sizable empire while adhering to Islamic principles. According to the Quran (49-10), “The believers are but one brotherhood, so make peace between your brothers. And be mindful of Allah so you may be shown mercy.” Thus, the first lesson from the devout caliphate governance is to be united and cooperative.
- Adherence to Islamic principles
Apart from cooperation and solidarity, the pious caliphate brilliantly demonstrated how upholding Islamic values is essential to the welfare of the populace. The four “Rightly Guided Caliphs”—Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali—are regarded as a model for how to best apply Islamic principles in day-to-day life because their deeds and governance at the time were seen as the most genuine means of enhancing people’s lives while upholding Islamic teachings. Hazrat Ali, the fourth Caliph, commented about him, “Abu Bakr t is like a mountain that no wind can move.” Further, the Prophet said about him: “Anyone who wants to see a person saved from hell should look upon Abu Bakr.” Nonetheless, according to the teachings of the Prophet and the Quran, “adherence to Islamic principles” refers to Islam’s fundamental ideas and customs.
- Supporting social welfare and justice
The establishment of a community centred on fairness and selflessness was stressed by the properly led caliphs’ social welfare and justice ideals (Rashidun Caliphate). This era is renowned for its dedication to moral leadership and societal advancement, which reflects a strong focus on justice and aiding people experiencing poverty. “By no means shall ye attain righteousness unless ye give (freely) of that which ye love: and whatever ye give, All–h knoweth it well.” (al-Qur’an 3:92). For instance, Hazrat Abu Bakr has a preference for other people over himself. “O Lord, please enlarge my body in hell so that there would be no room for others,” he once pleaded. Moreover, ‘Umar ibn al-Khatab establishes the Muslim community’s stipends and allowances based on merit about Islam. Thus, using these valuable examples, a nation’s government can improve its citizens’ lives.
- Focus on Islamic and modern education
The reign of the Rightly Guided Caliphs is an example of Islamic educational ideals. For instance, Hazrat Ali (AS) said, “There is no suffering like ignorance.” He placed a high value on education and knowledge and focused on advancing these areas. The Rightly Guided Caliphs’ emphasis on educational ideals stemmed from their conviction that education is crucial to improving society. The caliphs fostered scholarship and learning by founding educational institutions and promoting the pursuit of knowledge to advance both people and the community.
- Being active in the legislative process
Participating actively in the legislative process is consistent with the Rightly Guided Caliphs’ emphasis on government that prioritizes the populace’s well-being. During what is regarded as a golden age in Islamic history, their wise and morally upright leadership helped construct significant institutions and laws to improve society. For instance, according to Muṣannaf ‘Abd al-Razzāq (10420), Abdur Rahman al-Salami reported: Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Do not be excessive in the dowry of women.” A woman said, “It is no so, O Umar, for Allah said: You gave one of them a great amount” (4:20). Umar said, “Indeed, a woman has disputed Umar, and she has defeated him.” n another narration, Umar said, “The woman is right, and the man is wrong.”. Thus, all these examples show that the governance of the pious caliphate’s era was a perfect example of the betterment of people. Therefore, each of these instances demonstrates how the government during the time of the Pious Caliphate was ideal for the advancement of humanity.
What guidance can be taken from the time of rightly guided caliphs regarding the betterment of the ruling class?
Through stressing accountability to the people, putting justice and fairness first, setting an example of personal piety, managing public funds responsibly, seeking advice, and actively working to ensure the welfare of all citizens, regardless of their social status, the period of the Rightly Guided Caliphs guides a better ruling class. In other words, it prioritizes the needs of the people over personal gain and upholds the principles of Islamic law as the foundation for governance.
- Rigorous procedure of accountability of the ruling class
A strict accountability procedure was put in place by the Rightly Guided Caliphs to guarantee sound government and preserve the integrity of the ruling class. Essential steps included making officials responsible for their acts, choosing commanders and governors based on merit, and setting up a “bait-ul-maal” (treasury) to handle money openly. This concept strongly emphasised moral leadership and group accountability for improving the community. For instance, the accountability framework of Hazrat Umar’s administration was renowned for being founded on the values of bravery and justice. Hazrat Khalid received an ultimatum from Hazrat Umar for disobeying orders and dividing the loot among soldiers without telling the Caliph Abu Bakr.
- Strictly following the Quran and Sunnah
The Rightly Guided Caliphs are prime examples of how the Quran and Sunnah improve the ruling class by emphasizing justice, accountability, and communal well-being. To ensure the compilation of the Quran and foster social stability, the Caliphs, such as Abu Bakr and Uthman ibn Affan, prioritised the unity and moral leadership of the Muslim community. Jihad against deniers of zakat was a clear example of Hazrat Abu Baker’s strictly following the Quran and Sunnah.
- Focus on the rule of Law and Justice for all
The establishment of justice and the rule of law in the Islamic state was greatly aided by the Rightly Guided Caliphs (Al-Rashidun). They established a standard for the ruling elite by prioritizing justice, responsibility, and community well-being in their government. They made sure that justice was available to everyone, regardless of social standing, by putting the concepts of equity and Shura (consultation) into practice. According to Ibn ‘Umar’s consideration, the Holy Prophet (may he rest in peace) warned: Beware. You are all shepherds, and each of you is responsible for his sheep. As the leader of the people, the Caliph will be questioned about his subjects and how he handled their concerns. This dedication to fairness strengthened the upholding of social order and the moral underpinnings of the leadership, which improved society overall.
- Ensure Consultative governance (Shura)
In the age of the correctly guided caliphs, consultative governance, or Shura, entailed candid discussion and consultation with Ahl al-Shura, or trusted counsellors and companions. To preserve a just ruling class and guarantee the well-being of the society, decisions were taken collaboratively, considering the opinions of the senior companions and scholars. For instance, the electoral process of pious caliphates was a perfect example of the concept of Shura. The Prophet Muhammad’s teachings and example, which emphasized the value of accountability and direction among leaders, served as the foundation for this practice.
- Ensuring social welfare and equality
The Rightly Guided Caliphs—including Hadrat Umar—strongly emphasised equality and social welfare in their government. They put laws designed to lessen class differences and advance social justice into effect. For example, Umar prohibited actions that worsened inequality, emphasising that social status does not equate to privilege or security. To safeguard the rights of everyone, especially the least fortunate, their government concentrated on establishing institutions that promoted a fair and just society. Therefore, from the period of the rightly directed caliphs, all of these instances provide advice for improving the ruling class.
Conclusion
For the benefit of the populace and the ruling class, the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs (Al-Rashidun) offers essential teachings. Essential guidelines include justice and Equity, Consultation through Shura, and Ruler Accountability. However, the caliphs strongly emphasised justice and equity in government, ensuring everyone was treated fairly, regardless of status. The public is encouraged to be loyal and trusting by this principle. Additionally, decisions made by Shura foster a sense of group responsibility and assist in meeting the populace’s demands. At last, the caliphs showed humility and dedication to serving rather than ruling by holding themselves accountable to the populace. This strategy promotes a responsible culture among the ruling elite.
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