7.3 Islamic History, Caliphates, Zakat Nisab & Islamic Calendar

Khilafat-e-Rashida (The Rightly Guided Caliphs: 632 CE – 661 CE)

Exam Focus: Questions on the Rightly Guided Caliphs (Khulafa-e-Rashideen) form a major pillar of PAF Islamiat and General Knowledge papers. Candidates must know each Caliph's tenure length, official titles, administrative innovations, major military achievements, and martyrdom details.

The Khilafat-e-Rashida spanned exactly 30 years (11 AH to 40 AH / 632 CE to 661 CE), fulfilling the Prophetic Hadith: "The Caliphate after me will last for thirty years."

Detailed Profile of the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs

1. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (RA) (11 AH – 13 AH / 632 CE – 634 CE)

• Title: Al-Siddique (The Truthful, awarded after Isra & Mi'raj) and Ateeq.
• Tenure: 2 years, 3 months (27 months).
• Major Achievements:
  • Suppressed the Ridda Wars (Apostasy movement) against false prophets (Musaylimah al-Khadhab, Tulayha, Sajah) and Zakat refusers.
  • Battle of Yamama (12 AH): Defeated Musaylimah; 70 Huffaz martyred.
  • First Compilation of the Holy Quran: Commissioned Hazrat Zaid bin Thabit (RA) to collect scattered verses into a bound master text (Suhuf).
  • Dispatched expedition of Usama bin Zaid (RA) to Syrian border.

2. Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) (13 AH – 23 AH / 634 CE – 644 CE)

• Title: Al-Farooq (Distinguisher between Truth and Falsehood) and Amir-ul-Mu'minin.
• Tenure: 10 years, 5 months.
• Administrative & State Innovations:
  • Instituted the Hijri Calendar starting from 622 CE (established in 17 AH).
  • Established central treasury (Bait-ul-Mal), department of military (Diwan), regular police (Ahdath), and judicial courts (Qada).
  • Divided empire into administrative provinces (Wilayah) under Governors (Wali).
• Conquests: Persian Sasanian Empire (Battles of Qadisiyyah 15 AH & Nihawand 21 AH) and Byzantine Levant/Egypt (Conquest of Jerusalem in 16 AH / 637 CE).
• Martyrdom: Assassinated by Abu Lu'lu Firoz (a Persian slave) while leading Fajr prayer in 23 AH.

3. Hazrat Uthman Ghani (RA) (23 AH – 35 AH / 644 CE – 656 CE)

• Title: Dhun-Nurayn (Possessor of Two Lights, married two daughters of the Prophet: Hazrat Ruqayya & Hazrat Umm Kulthum) and Al-Ghani (The Generous).
• Tenure: 12 years (longest of all four Caliphs).
• Major Achievements:
  • Standardization of Quranic Recitation: Ordered compilation of master copies in Quraish dialect and distributed them to provincial capitals; earned title Jami-ul-Quran.
  • Established the first Muslim Naval Fleet under Muawiyah I (won Battle of the Masts / Dhat as-Sawari in 31 AH).
  • Purchased the well of Ruma in Madinah for public Muslim use.
• Martyrdom: Martyred at his home while reciting the Quran by rebel insurgents on 18th Dhul Hijjah, 35 AH.

4. Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) (35 AH – 40 AH / 656 CE – 661 CE)

• Title: Asadullah (Lion of Allah), Haydar, and Bāb-ul-Ilm (Gate of Knowledge).
• Tenure: 4 years, 9 months.
• Major Milestones:
  • Shifted capital of Caliphate from Madinah to Kufa (Iraq).
  • Navigated internal strife: Battle of Jamal (Camel, 36 AH) and Battle of Siffin (37 AH).
  • Fought against Kharijite insurgents at Battle of Nahrawan (38 AH).
• Martyrdom: Struck with a poisoned sword by Kharijite assassin Abd-al-Rahman ibn Muljam during Fajr prayer in Kufa mosque on 19th Ramadan 40 AH; passed away on 21st Ramadan, 40 AH.

Comparative Table of the Four Caliphs

Zakat Nisab Calculations, Ushr Rules & Distribution Categories

Zakat is the 3rd Pillar of Islam. Mentioned in the Holy Quran 82 times alongside Salah, Zakat serves as a compulsory wealth redistribution system designed to eliminate poverty and purify assets.

Nisab Thresholds for Zakat Payment

Zakat becomes mandatory when a Muslim's net wealth meets or exceeds the Nisab (minimum threshold) and remains continuously owned for one full lunar year (Hawlan al-Hawl). The standard rate of Zakat is 2.5% (or 1/40th of total wealth).

Zakat on Livestock (Cattle, Camels & Sheep)

Agricultural Zakat: Rules of Ushr

Ushr is compulsory Zakat levied on agricultural produce upon harvest. Unlike regular Zakat, holding for one year is not required.

The 8 Eligible Recipients of Zakat (Masarif-e-Zakat)

Surah Al-Tawbah (Verse 60) explicitly specifies the 8 designated categories entitled to receive Zakat:

1. Al-Fuqara (The Poor): Persons without property or income reaching Nisab threshold.
2. Al-Masakin (The Needy): Extremely destitute people possessing no daily livelihood.
3. Al-Amilina 'Alayha (Zakat Collectors): Administrative staff employed to collect and distribute Zakat.
4. Al-Mu'allafatu Qulubuhum (Reconciling Hearts): Recent converts or allies needing financial support.
5. Fi al-Riqab (Freeing Captives): Slaves or captives seeking freedom.
6. Al-Gharimin (Debtors): Persons burdened with overwhelming debt incurred for legitimate needs.
7. Fi Sabilillah (In the Cause of Allah): Those engaged in defense of Islam or seeking religious knowledge.
8. Ibn al-Sabil (Wayfarers): Stranded travelers lacking funds to return home.

The Islamic Hijri Calendar & Sacred Months

The Islamic Hijri Calendar (Al-Taqwīm al-Hijrī) is a lunar calendar introduced by Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) in 17 AH (638 CE). The epoch (Year 1 AH) was anchored to the migration (Hijrah) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE.

Dynamics of the Lunar Calendar

• Year Length: Consists of 12 lunar months totaling 354 or 355 days per year.
• Comparison to Solar Calendar: Shorter than the Gregorian solar calendar by 10 to 12 days annually, causing Hijri months to rotate through all four seasons every 33 solar years.
• Month Duration: A lunar month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon (Hilal) and lasts either 29 or 30 days.

Complete List of the 12 Islamic Hijri Months

The Four Sacred Months (Ashhur-ul-Hurum)

Surah Al-Tawbah (Verse 36) highlights four sanctified months during which fighting and warfare are strictly prohibited:

1. Muharram (1st Month)
2. Rajab (7th Month)
3. Dhul Qa'dah (11th Month)
4. Dhul Hijjah (12th Month)

Three of these months are consecutive (Dhul Qa'dah, Dhul Hijjah, Muharram), allowing safe travel for pilgrims performing Hajj, while Rajab stands alone in the middle of the year for Umrah travelers.