CSS 2017 Solved Islamiyat Past Papers | The Rightly Guided Caliphs and their System of Government
The following question of Islamiat is solved by Miss Ayesha Irfan, the highest scorer in CSS Islamiat. Moreover, the question is attempted on the same pattern taught by Sir Syed Kazim Ali to his students, scoring 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, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Question Breakdown
The examiner has asked about the election or selection criteria of the pious caliphate and to what extent their government is related to democracy. The first part is an outline, breaking the question into different parts. Moving further, an introduction is given, the selection criteria of the caliphate are discussed, the extent of the caliphate system related to democracy is explained, and a conclusion is drawn.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-How rightly caliphate was elected
- ✓Election of the first caliphate – Hazarat Abu Bakar r.a.
- ✓Election of the second caliphate – Hazarat Umar r.a.
- ✓Election of the third caliphate – Hazarat Usman r.a.
- ✓Election of the fourth caliphate – Hazarat Ali. A.s.
3-Navigating the Characteristics of Democracy
4-To what extent the caliphate system is regarded as democratic
- ✓Giving voting rights to the people
- ✓Establishing the rule of law
- ✓Maintaining Human Rights
- ✓Enforcing accountability to people
- ✓Giving freedom of speech
- ✓Supporting pluralism
- ✓Promoting independent Judiciary
5-Critical Analysis
6-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
Democracy is the people’s government in which people elect their representatives independently. Moreover, all caliphates were elected by the majority of the people voting in favour of the caliphate. Additionally, the caliphate system’s features are interlinked with democracy features. For instance, democracy gave its people voting rights, and caliphs were elected in the same way. Additionally, both are based on the rule of law, and both work for the preservation of human rights. In both governments, the Judiciary is independent. So, both democracy and the caliphate system are based on the same features.
How rightly the caliphate was elected
The right caliphate was elected by the decision-makers, and the details of each caliphate election are stated below.
- ✓Election of the first caliphate – Hazarat Abu Bakar r.a.
As the Holy Prophet PBUH did not mention anyone as his successor, so after his death, Ansar of Madina gathered at “Saqeea Bani Saidah” to discuss the government leader. Hazarat Saad bin Ubaadah r.a. stated that they had provided shelter and protection at the time of immigration, so Ansar had the right to elect a new leader. Hazrat Abu Bakar, Hazrat Umar, and Hazarat Usman, along with the people who were gathered for the last rituals of the Holy Prophet PBUH, rushed to Saqeea Bani Saadia, as it was a decision that would shape Muslim government policies. Hazrat Umar and Hazarat Abu Ubaidah nominated and agreed with the majority to elect Hazarat Abu Bakar r.a. as the first Muslim Caliphate. So, with the majority voting of Ansar and companions of Hazarat Muhammad, PBUH Hazarat Abu Bakar r.a. was elected as the first caliphate of Islam.
- ✓Election of the second caliphate – Hazarat Umar r.a.
Near the death of Hazarat Abu Bakar, he consulted Abdul Rehman bin Auf and some other companions, and he nominated Umar as his successor. Later, the general consensus confirmed him as the second caliphate of Islam. Later, Othman dictated the will of Abu Bakar and nominated Omar as his successor, with the majority of people in favour of the decision. After the death of Abu Bakar, Hazarat Omar became the second caliph of Islam.
- ✓Election of the third caliphate – Hazarat Usman r.a.
Even Usman r.a. was also elected with the majority through a proper electoral committee. Before the death of Umar, he called Talha Ansari and asked them that the electoral committee must choose a new caliphate in his observance. After a three-day struggle, Abdul Rehman bin Auf announced Hazarat Usman as the third caliphate of Islam in Masjid-e-Nabwi, a decision made by the electoral committee.
- ✓Election of the fourth caliphate – Hazarat Ali. A.s.
After the assassination of Hazrat Usman r.a., Muslims do not own any leader for five days. Then, the revolutionists made Muslims of Madina elect their leader within two days. Therefore, Talhah and Al-Zubayr came to Hazarat Ali a.s. to be the fourth caliphate of Muslims, but he refused. Later, on Friday, the People of Madina gathered in Masjid-e-Nabwi, and Hazarat Ali a.s. announced that his conditions were the same as he announced at the time of the last election. The people presented at that time elected him as the fourth caliphate.
Navigating the Characteristics of Democracy
Abraham Lincoln defined democracy as “The government of people, by the people, and for the people.” Moreover, the key features of democracy include voting for the people. Also, the rule of law, maintenance of human rights, freedom of expression, accountability, Pluralism, and independent Judiciary are the characteristics of democracy.
To what extent the caliphate system is regarded as democratic
The Islamic Caliphate system is the best example of democracy, as the election criteria were discussed above; moreover, the similar features of democracy and the Caliphate system are explained below.
- ✓Giving voting rights to the people
Islam is the best example of democracy, as it gives a man his basic right – the voting right to elect his ruler. Moreover, the pious caliphate was elected by the people. Abu Bakar was elected by the majority in the mosque of Madina. Additionally, Hazrat Umar r.a. has strengthened the electoral system by developing an electoral commission of the people. And it elected Usman as the third caliphate on the orders of Umar r.a. through an electoral committee when he was on his deathbed. Still, after the election by the committee, the people of Madina had selected Usman as the third caliphate. So, the caliphate system is based on democracy as it gives voting rights to its people.
- ✓Establishing the rule of law
Democracy is the biggest flagship of the rule of law. Moreover, the caliphate system was based on the rule of law, as it gave its people all the rights and provided justice to them. An example of the rule of law in the caliphate is the suspension of Khalid Bin Waleed from the army commander post. Hazrat Umar r.a. came to know about his misdeed in spoil after a battle, so Umar suspended him from his post to maintain the rule of law in the state. Hence, the characteristic of democracy is the rule of law that was seen in the Caliphate.
- ✓Maintaining Human Rights
Democracy protects human rights; similarly, in the caliphate system, human rights were preserved. In the times of the pious caliphate, human rights were a major concern if they were violated. Minorities were also given their rights. Women’s rights were protected. Hazrat Umar r.a. patrols at night in the streets of Madina, ensuring no widow, orphan or poor sleeps without having meals. Moreover, they have enforced the Charter of Madina, in which minority rights, women’s rights, and children’s rights were preserved. Thus, human rights are maintained in both democracy and caliphate rule.
- ✓Enforcing accountability to people
Democracy enforced the ruler’s accountability to the people. And the caliphate system also made rulers accountable. The best example is the statement of Umar r.a.. stated ,“If a sheep died on the bank of Euphrates, I would expect that Allah to make me accountable for the death.” Additionally, in Islam, the ultimate power belongs to Allah, and everyone is accountable for their deeds. So, both democracy and the caliphate system made their rulers accountable for their actions.
- ✓Giving freedom of speech
Democracy imparts freedom of speech to its citizens. The caliphate system also gives its people the freedom of speech. One common man asked Umar r.a. about a shirt he was wearing from the cloth that was merely covering the chest of other people. Umar r.a. replied that the shirt was made from two clothes; one was his, and the other was of his son. The incident exemplifies that the caliphate system provides freedom of speech to ask any question from the ruler, as is the case in democracy.
- ✓Supporting pluralism
Democracy supports multiple political parties that can take part in elections. The caliphate election was also made by multiple people as there were three candidates for leader at the time of the first election: Hazarat Umar, Hazarat Abu Bakar, and Hazarat Abu Ubaidah. Among them, Hazarat Abu Bakar was elected as the 1st caliphate. Similarly, Hazarat Usman and Hazrat Ali a.s. were standing at the time of the third caliphate, and in the mosque of Madina, Hazarat Usman was elected as a third caliphate. So, pluralism is supported in both the caliphate system and democracy.
- ✓Promoting independent Judiciary
Both in democracy and in the caliphate system, the Judiciary was independent. As in the reign of Hazrat Ali a.s., he lost a court case to Christians – a minority. Both Hazarat Ali a.s. and the Christian went to Qazi for a resolution of disputed armour. But Hazarat Ali a.s. Lost the case because he was unable to provide any evidence of his claim. This is an extraordinary instance of the caliphate life of an independent Judiciary from any pressure, and it is a pillar of democracy.
Critical Analysis
Democracy is the type of government in which a ruler is elected by the people, and more than one candidate can stand for the leadership position. The pious caliphate reigns from the election till their death. All actions and decisions are aligned with democratic principles. Whether the decisions are from the election of the caliphate, judicial system, or accountability, all decisions are made on democratic features.
Conclusion
Overall, the caliphate system is a noble example of the democratic system. The electoral methods of both are similar; in both cases, the people elect their leader. Similarly, the Judiciary is independent in both, as the ruler lost a case to a minority in the fourth caliphate rule. Both systems provide their people with freedom of speech and maintain human rights, including those of all minorities, women, and children. Thus, the caliphate system is not separated from democracy; indeed, it is the flip side of the coin.
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