1Question 1
4 marks
Name the four rightly guided caliphs. (4 marks)
Model answer
Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali.
Mark scheme
- Abu Bakr1 mark
- Umar1 mark
- Uthman1 mark
- Ali1 mark
WASSCE SHS
WASSCE Islamic Studies: The rightly guided caliphs
The four rightly guided caliphs led the community after the Prophet. The paper also asks how Islam reached West Africa, through traders, teachers, reformers and the pilgrimage.
The idea
The four are Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali. Abu Bakr was the first to lead after the Prophet, and he held the community together when some groups turned away. He also ordered the Qur'an to be collected into one written copy after many who had memorised it were killed. Umar is remembered for widening the lands under Muslim rule and for organising how they were governed. The calendar that counts from the Hijrah is associated with his time. Uthman arranged one standard text of the Qur'an and sent copies to the main cities, so people would recite the same book. Ali is remembered for learning and for justice. His time included conflict inside the community. Say what each person did. Do not give Abu Bakr the work of Uthman.
Islam in West Africa is part of the same history section. Traders crossed the Sahara. Teachers taught. Some rulers adopted the faith. The pilgrimage linked West Africa to the wider Muslim world. Ghana, Mali, Songhai and Kanem Borno are the examples the syllabus names. In a compare or an explain answer, name the people and the route, not only the word spread. If you are not sure which ruler did which deed, leave the name out rather than guess.
The Islamic Studies tips guide sets out the papers, how to answer a theme, and the mistakes that cost marks. WASSCE Islamic Studies tips
What earns the marks
Four names with no deeds are a list, not an explanation. One contribution must belong to the caliph you named. The standard text of the Qur'an is Uthman's work. The first collection is associated with Abu Bakr. West Africa needs a means, such as trade or teaching, and a place. Do not invent a year for when Islam reached the coast of modern Ghana.
Practice questions
These are practice questions in the style of the paper, with a model answer and a mark scheme. They are not a promise of what your paper will ask.
2Question 2
2 marks
State two contributions associated with Uthman. (2 marks)
Model answer
He arranged one standard text of the Qur'an, and he sent copies of that text to the main cities.
Mark scheme
- One standard text of the Qur'an1 mark
- Copies sent out, so the recitation would agree1 mark
3Question 3
3 marks
Explain one way Islam spread in West Africa. Use an example. (3 marks)
Model answer
Muslim traders crossed the Sahara and settled along the routes. People who traded with them learned the faith. Mali is one place where that trade and the pilgrimage both mattered.
Mark scheme
- A means, such as traders, teachers, reformers or the pilgrimage1 mark
- What those people did1 mark
- A place, such as Ghana, Mali, Songhai or Kanem Borno1 mark
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