Islamiyat · Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 22 · Question 3

Write about the way in which the lives of ordinary people improved during ‘Umar’s caliphate. Refer to his administrative policies. Use the AO1 Levels of Response.

‘Umar’s period as caliph is regarded as the golden era in Islamic history. ‘Umar introduced several administrative policies that made the caliphate well run and prosperous, and in which the living standard of the people improved a great deal.

Some of the administrative policies and the way they improved the lives of people in ‘Umar’s caliphate that could be given by candidates are: As the empire expanded ‘Umar divided the state into provinces and appointed qualified and experienced governors to run the states. This made the caliphate safe, prosperous and well administered, leading to the prosperity of its people.

He made the judiciary separate from the executive and appointed judges. This gave the citizens swift and impartial justice.

The bait-ul-maal was created under Amils. This made the government finances safe from misuse and introduced checks and balances on public finance and kept corruption out of government.

Government officials when appointed had their credentials and finances scrutinised at the time of appointment and when they left government, to ensure no wrong doings had taken place.

Complaints against officials were heard at the time of hajj and dealt with effectively and the officials were instructed to live simply. All this ensured that the public servants were there to serve the people and ensure smooth running of government without any corruption.

‘Umar ran the affairs of the state by consultation hence Majlis Shura was continued with, and a democratic system of government was kept in place. Town planningand the building of roads and highways were all undertaken to better the life of the people and make communication and defence of the caliphate better. Mosques and schools were constructed to make the populace well versed in religious and other subjects.

Cantonments were made for soldiers, and their needs were looked after. This kept the armed forces content and happy and they were happy to serve the caliphate.

Special attention was given to the wellbeing of non-Muslims which ensured good relations between all the citizens so much so that their affairs were settled by their religious laws. It fostered religious tolerance.

What were the effects of ‘Umar’s military successes on Muslims living

under his caliphate?

Use the AO2 Levels of Response.

Candidates could write about various impacts.

It could be said that with military success came a lot of wealth to the treasury, which helped in the living standards of the people as the caliphate could meet the needs of all its people.

The wealth brought into the caliphate as war booty also helped to improve infrastructure.

Military successes gave Muslims a sense of their own strength and a sense of security which enabled the ruling body to focus on the wellbeing of the citizens. All valid responses to be credited.

Write about the leadership qualities of the fourth caliph ‘Ali.