Islamiyat · Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 22 · Question 3

Write in detail about the policy followed by ‘Uthman as caliph in expanding and maintaining the state. [10]

During his twelve year caliphate ‘Uthman, to begin with followed, in the footsteps of the first two caliphs. He did a lot for the consolidation and establishment of the military on firm grounds and went on to expand on the territory that was left to him by Umar by conquering North Africa, Barqa and Marakish completely and adjacent countries of Persia namely Afghanistan and Khurasan. Armenia and Azerbaijan also came under Muslim control and with the advancement in naval warfare he even conquered Cyprus. He answered the naval attack of the Romans with a fleet of 500 ships.

How justified were the criticisms against ‘Uthman for burning the copies of the Qur’an? Give reasons for your answer. [4]

He brought about administrative changes in some areas e.g. Jordan and Palestine were united into one province Syria. To improve administration he divided the power and set up a new department of police. He did keep a strict watch on governors and other administrators, e.g. Saad bin Abi Waqas drew money from the bait ul maal and did not return it for which he was deposed by ‘Uthman. However he overlooked simple mistakes of his governors. He not only increased the income of the public treasury but spent more generously on the masses. He also started welfare projects for the masses as well as the state, new buildings in provinces, bridges, roads and highways etc. were built. He not only sent religious teachers to different tribes and cities but himself preached to the prisoners of war. The greatest service he performed during his caliphate was the compilation of the Qur’an. Candidates can say that the allegations against ‘Uthman for burning the copies were unjustified as he was trying to save the Qur’an from corruption. A word wrongly pronounced in Arabic can change the meaning of the word totally hence it was important that only those copies were in circulation that were accurate. Some could give a counter argument, which may not necessarily be their personal view and say that at the time some people did criticise ‘Uthman for burning the copies of the Qur’an as they felt that it did contain the words of God and hence should be respected others may have deemed it as a rash action. All valid responses need to be credited.