Discuss four challenges faced by Khalifa Abubakar (R.A) during his reign.

KCSE IRE Paper 2 2015 Question 4(a) with Answers.

(a) Discuss four challenges faced by Khalifa Abubakar (R.A) during his reign. (8 marks)

Challenges faced by Khalifa AbuBakar (R.A) during his reign.

1. The rise of false prophets who challenged the authority of the Khalifa in Madina e.g. Musailamah al-kadhab
2. The rise of wars of Apostacy (al-rida) against forces that had risen against the authority of Khalifa AbuBakar. The Khalifa organized Muslim armies to bring such forces under his authority.
3. He faced the challenge of fulfilling the promise of the Prophet Muhammad (P.b.u.h) in sending a Muslim army against the Romans or Byzantine. Despite some opposition from some Sahabas against such a move, Khalifa Abu Bakar sent Usamah bin Zayd, though a young man , to lead an army and there were experienced companions of the Prophet.
4. The need to compile the Quran into a single volume created tension among the,Muslims in Madina. The Khalifa after considerable deliberation, accepted the idea and appointed a committee led by Zaid bin Thabit to compile the Quran as a way of preserving it.
5. Certain tribes had refused to pay Zakat, an event which compelled the Khalifa to take stern action against them. The Khalifa argued that Zakat is one of the pillars of Islam, and in rejecting to pay it was tantamount to rejecting Islam.
6. He helped to restore the unity of the Ummah which had been divided on the question of a successor to the Prophet. Both the Ansar and the Muhajirun wanted the Khalifa to be appointed from among their group.
7. He faced the challenge of nominating his successor by assessing the available options and settled for the choice of Umar al-khattab (R.A)

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