Arabian Peninsula and Islam During Medieval Times Unit Test
Muslim
A follower of Islam
Pilgrimage
A journey to a place considered sacred for religious purposes.
Allah
A word that means "God" in Arabic.
One, all-powerful God who created
According to Muslims, who is Allah?
birth, orphan, trader, marriage
Characteristics of Muhammad's early life.
1. Nomads lived in tents and traveled. Sedentary lived in towns near oases. 2. Nomads raised herds of sheep, goats and camels. Sedentary traded goods at markets. 3. Both nomads and sedentary (or townspeople) traded at town centers or souks. 4. Nomads traded animal products and desert herbs for goods like cooking supplies and clothes. 5. Merchants (or townspeople/sedentary) sold spices, gold, leather and other goods.
Compare and contrast the two main ways of life found in Arabia - nomadic versus sedentary
1. Washing hands, face, arms and feet. 2. Form lines behind a prayer leader call an imam. 3. Face the direction of Makkah. 4. Recite versus from the Qur'an.
Describe 3 of the rituals Muslims practice in their daily prayers.
1. "There is no god but God" - one God - monotheism 2. Identifies Muhammad as God's messenger or prophet.
Explain the meaning of the two parts of the Muslim Shahadah
Muhammad
Founder of Islam
1. Qur'an provides general commands to perform the 5 duties. 2. Sunnah explains how to perform them, based on Muhammad's example.
How are the Qur'an and the Sunnah related to the Five Pillars of Islam?
Merchant families brought goods into Mecca from faraway places and grew wealthy through trade with Yemen (southern Arabia), Syria, and Africa.
How did some of the merchant families become wealthy?
- It represents the human struggle to overcome difficulties and do things that would be pleasing to God. - It encourages Muslims to strive to respond positively to personal difficulties as well as worldly challenges.
How does jihad relate to Muslims and their personal struggles?
Guides Muslim life by placing actions into 1 of 5 categories: forbidden, discouraged, allowed, recommended, and obligatory (required).
How does shari'ah guide Muslim life?
- Western codes of law have replaced or supplemented shari'ah in many Muslim countries. - Continues to develop in response to modern ways of life.
How has shari'ah changed over time?
One fortieth (2.5%) of their surplus wealth and possessions, but are encouraged to give more.
How much of their surplus wealth are Muslims expected to give to charity?
5 times a day wherever they are.
How often do Muslims pray?
1. Muhammad and his followers destroyed the statues of the gods and goddess in the kaaba. 2. Most Arabian tribes accepted Muhammad as their spiritual leader and became Muslim.
In 630, after years of fighting, the Meccans welcomed Muhammad back to the city. What were two things that happened upon his return?
Quran
Islam's sacred book considered to be the words of Allah
meant "physical struggle for spiritual reasons."
Jihad
1. Ranges between 5 and 40 miles inland. 2. Ends at a series of rocky cliffs. 3. Several dry riverbeds cut through the coastal plain and periodically fill with water. 4. Air is damp and moist. 5. Rainfall is regular. 6. Has few natural harbors.
List characteristics of the coastal plain environment.
1. Hot, dry and harsh. Summer temperatures above 120 degrees. 2. Annual rainfall 3-4 inches. 3. Violent storms cause flash floods. 4. Windstorms. 5. Sand dunes that rise above 800 feet.
List characteristics of the desert environment.
1. Mountains rise 1,000 to 12,000 feet high. 2. Moist winds from the Indian Ocean bring as much as 20 inches of rain each year to the mountains. 3. Temperatures are cool - in the winter frost may form. 4. Ancient dry riverbeds cut down the sides of the mountains and fill with water during rainstorms
List characteristics of the mountain environment.
1. Occur in areas where water has been trapped under ground. 2. Water seeps to surface as a waterhole. 3. Plant life, grass and shrubs. 4. Vary in size, ranging from a few acres to large areas of land.
List characteristics of the oasis environment.
1. People built deep wells, dams and systems to irrigate the land. 2. Conserved rainwater in canals and reservoirs. 3. Most were farmers that grew grains, fruits and vegetables. 4. Collected fragrant tree sap to make myrrh and frankincense. 5. Traders sent their goods to towns like Makkah or to seaports.
List coastal adaptations.
1. Lived in houses made of bricks. 2. Farmed on the steep slopes by creating step-like terraces, or flat areas. 3. Farmers constructed dams and irrigation systems. 4. Farmers grew fruits, like melons and pomegranates, and grew trees to produce frankincense and myrrh.
List mountain adaptations.
1. Some Bedouins became sedentary, giving up their wandering lifestyle in search of oases. 2. Dwellers grew fruits like dates and peaches, and grains to make bread. 3. Date palm thrived and became invaluable resource - offered shade, dates for food, and palm wood to build homes. 4. Towns developed around oases - farmers bartered their crops for goods the nomads brought (milk, meat, etc.)
List oasis adaptations.
1. Arab nomads, Bedouins, main method of transportation was the camel, which could survive days without water and carry heavy loads. 2. Clothed themselves in loose-fitting gowns and cotton headdresses to protect against dust, heat and flies. 3. Got their food from their herds - milk, made yogurt and cheese. 4. Animals provided clothing, blankets and tents. 5. Traded their animals for weapons or grain.
List some desert adaptations.
Madinah, People of the Book, battles, Last Sermon
Migration to Madinah to the End of Muhammad's Life
reject, followers, boycott, Night Journey
Muhammad's Teaching Meets with Rejection
1. They were desert dwelling nomadic people who traveled in their camel-haired tents from oasis to oasis. 2. These nomads herded camels and travel from place to place, living on milk, meat and date palms which grow by springs at oases 3. Dates have been a staple food of the Middle East for thousands of years.
Name three facts about Pre-Islamic (before Muhammed) Bedouins.
Sunnah
The example that Muhammad set for Muslims about how to live. His actual words recorded.
Quran
The holy book of Islam
Islam
The messages Muhammad received form the basis of religion
Kaaba
The most sacred temple of Islam, located at Mecca
Muhammad learned about Arab traditions, such as being kind to strangers and helping orphans, widows, and other needy members of society.
What Arab traditions did Muhammad learn as a young boy?
cave, Gabriel, Allah, Quran
What Called Muhammad to be a Prophet
A group of people traveling together for mutual protection, often with pack animals like camels.
What are caravans?
- Astronomy - Zoology - Geography - Arithmetic - Navigation - Art - Architecture - Technology
What are some Muslim advancements?
1. Shahadah (Profession of Faith) 2. Salat (Daily Worship) 3. Zakat (Almsgiving) 4. Siyam (Fasting) 5. Hajj (Pilgrimage)
What are the 5 pillars of Islam?
Cities of Aden, Makkah, Medina, Jeddah, Jerusalem, Damascus, and Baghdad.
What cities on the Arabian Peninsula do you think would have been important trading centers?
1. They valued their camels 2. They valued their sword 3. Followed water and grazing land for their animals. 4. Each tribe had its own leader (Shaikh) and religion. 5. Many tribes worshipped a variety of gods called idols.
What did the Bedouin people value and worship?
Angels do Allah's work throughout the universe.
What do Muslims believe about angels?
Everyone will face God's judgment.
What do Muslims believe about judgement?
- Dress in simple white clothing and visit the Great Mosque, which houses the Kaaba. - Circle the Kaaba 7 times.
What do Muslims do during the hajj?
1. Generosity, equality, and charity. 2. Encouraged to avoid arguments and bad deeds, to give thanks, and to forgive people.
What does Ramadan encourage and teach?
Worship many gods.
What does it mean to be polytheistic?
To fight to protect themselves from those who would do harm or to right a terrible wrong.
What does the Qur'an tell Muslims to do regarding jihad?
Muslim daily prayer ritual that emphasizes religious discipline, spirituality, and closeness to God.
What is salat and what purpose does it serve?
- Body of Islamic law based on the Qur'an and the Sunnah. - Guides Muslims in their personal behavior. - Developed by caliphs and scholars who used the Qur'an and Sunnah to solve problems that arose after Muhammad's death.
What is shari'ah, and how did it develop?
Fasting
What is siyam?
1. Crossroad of Asia, Africa and Europe 2. Allowed great trade between continents.
What is special about the location of the Arabian Peninsula?
Mediterranean Sea
What is the body of water Arabs crossed to reach Europe?
A pilgrimage to Makkah Muslims are expected to make at least once in their lifetime.
What is the hajj?
Practice of charity, or almsgiving.
What is zakat?
1. Orphanages, hospitals, soup kitchens, and clothing and shelter for the poor. 2. Pays debts for the poor and helps stranded travelers.
What kinds of things does zakat pay for?
Camp in tents at Mina, pray at the plain of Arafat, and some climb Mount Arafat.
What other important sites do Muslims visit during the hajj?
Do not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset.
What rule about food do Muslims observe during Ramadan?
Promotes fellowship and equality bringing Muslims of many cultures and places together.
What values does hajj promote?
1. Housed hundreds of statues called idols 2. Pilgrims from all over Arabia came to Makkah to worship.
What was the Kaaba used for?
Daily fasting from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
When is siyam performed?
A crier, called a muezzin, chants the adhan (call to prayer).
Where do Muslims pray?
The Arabian Peninsula is located in the southwest corner of Asia.
Where is the Arabian Penninsula?
Khadija, a wealthy woman who owned a caravan business.
Who did Muhammad marry?
The kaaba was believed to be built by Abraham.
Who do the Muslims believe built the Kaaba?
1. Male relatives who traveled in caravans raised him. 2. His father died before he was born and his mother died when he was six.
Who raised Muhammad and why?
Before Muhammad, nomadic herders.
Who were the Bedouins?
1. Islam had many followers 2. Mecca's leaders were worried. 3. Mecca's leaders threatened to hurt or to kill Muhammad.
Why did Muhammad and his followers have to leave Mecca and go to Medina (called the hegira)?
Because their holy books taught many of the same ideas.
Why did Muhammad respect Jews and Christians as "people of the book?"
Wealth is purified by giving some of it away; sharing helps control greed; giving reminds people of God's gifts.
Why do Muslims practice zakat?
It lies near the intersection of three continents -- Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Why do geographers call Arabia a "crossroads" location?
Their locations on the coasts of the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, and their proximity to the continents of Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Why do you think some cities became important trading centers?
1. Hot summers (120 degrees_ 2. Cold winters. 3. Little Rainfall.
Why is the desert a difficult place to live?
Knowledge, ideas, technology and goods flowed through Arab lands, like the idea of paper getting to Europe from China.
Why was Arabian Peninsula so important during medieval times?
1. Merchants traveling along caravan routes stopped at the city's market and inns. 2. At the many souks (markets/bazaars), merchants sold spices, gold, leather and many other goods.
Why was Mecca an important trading spot?
Muhammad was disturbed to see that the rich people in Mecca did not help the poor that he would often go to a cave and meditate on this problem.
Why was Muhammad upset at the rich people in Mecca?
1. Trunks used to build beams in houses; 2. Leaves made roofs; 3. Fibers were used for ropes 4. Hollowed out trunk served for irrigation purposes. 5. Of course used as FOOD!
Why was the date palm a valuable food?
caravan
a group of traders that travel together
souk
a market or bazaar
oasis
a wet, fertile area in a desert
sedentary
settled
Hadith
written records created by scholars of specific accounts of Muhammad's deeds.