Islam Test
Geographical features of the Arabian Peninsula: Mountains
1,000 - 2,000 feet high Moist winds from the Indian Ocean 20 inches of rain per year Cool temperatures Ancient dry riverbeds cut down the sides of the mountains and filled with water during rainstorms
What does "Bedouin" mean?
An Arab Nomad
What was the dominant geographical feature of the Arabian Peninsula?
Arabian Desert
Why were camels important to the Bedouins?
Camels were strong so they can carry a great amount up to 100 miles and go for 8 days or so without water They supply milk and cheese They were the best transportation
Adaptations of people who live in the Arabian Peninsula: Coastal Plains
Coastal Plains: Farming areas due to fertile land Built terraces on mountains to expand farming Built wells, dams, and reservoirs to irrigate land and to preserve water Used tree sap to make myrrh and frankincense (sold to make perfume and medicines) Established trade and trade routes here
Geographical features of the Arabian Peninsula
Desert, Oases, Costal Plains, Mountains
Adaptations of people who live in the Arabian Peninsula: Desert
Desert: Nomads move around the desert Bedouins set up tents when animals needed to graze, drink water Move after all vegetation is eaten in the desert Camel - "ship of the desert" Wore loose-fitting clothing - heads covered Bedouins got most of what they needed from animals (milk, yogurt/cheese, meat, wool/hair)
How did the Hadith and Sunnah guide Muslims?
Example Muhammad set for Muslims during his lifetime
What is the Hadith?
Hadith: The written account of the Sunnah
What did Muhammad destroy after fighting the Meccans? Why?
He destroyed the idols in the Ka'aba after he won the war against the Makkans Muhammad believed in only one god but the idols symbolized all the other gods and idols Arabians believed in
How did being an orphan impact his life?
He didn't have parents and lost his immediate clan His extended family included his uncle, who in the future would be very important to him Muhammad had to learn how to empathize with people became passionate too orphans and tried to make others feel included
Why did Muhammad go to live with the Bedouins when he was younger?
His mother was following a custom of sending her child to live with a nomad family in the desert. it was a way for him to understand and practice their culture in the most cultural way
What is the Shari' ah? How does it guide Muslims?
Islamic law Formal laws based on rules laid out in the Quran and the Sunnah Religion = law (they are considered the same in Islam) Based on the Quran and the Sunnah
What did Muhammad mean by "People of the Book?"
Jews Christians Muslims
Where was Muhammad born?
Makkah (Mecca), Saudi Arabia
How does the following Bedouin Proverb explain the belief in bloodline first: Bedouin Proverb "I against my brother, I and my brothers against my cousins, I and my brothers and my cousins against the world."
Most loyal to your family, then to your clan, and then to your tribe
Adaptations of people who live in the Arabian Peninsula: Mountains
Mountains: People lived in houses made from mud bricks Farm on steep slopes creating terraces Terraces also help conserve water Farmers mad dams and irrigation systems Store extra water in underground storage containers, leather bags, and hollowed out trees
What occurred in a cave in which led to Muhammad becoming a prophet?
Muhammad was meditating in a cave above Mecca Then he received his call to be a prophet (messenger of God) He said that he received a visit from the angel Gabriel, who told him several times to "recite". Muhammad left the cave in fear but Khadijah (Muhammad's wife) consoled him and expressed her faith that God chose him as a prophet to communicate his word to the people
What is the Sunnah?
Muhammad's example in life What Muhammad said and did in certain situations
Who were the Bedouins?
Nomadic people from Arabia
Adaptations of people who live in the Arabian Peninsula: Oases
Oases: People settled in oases' Used palm trees for: food, shade, wood to build homes, hollowed trunks for irrigation, fuel for fires Merchants stopped to trade Dug wells to get more water Towns developed in oases'
Aspects of Bedouin Culture
Political: Fiercely democratic Economic: Had to move constantly to get enough food, water. Traded a lot. Social: Family was first priority, used relationships to their advantage,
Geographical features of the Arabian Peninsula: Oases
Provide shade and freshwater Sizes vary: small and large Underground water sources Date palm trees provide trade Lots of vegetation/plant life: dates, peaches, grains for bread
What is the Qur' an? How does it guide Muslims?
Qur'an: The holy book of Islam God's final revelation and words through Muhammad Quran provides rules for behavior in all aspects of life
How are the Bedouin related to one another?
Sometimes clans would join together to form tribes to fight for a common need. Tribes also joined together for marriages.
Geographical features of the Arabian Peninsula: Coastal Plains
Stretches 5-40 miles inland of waters (Ends at rocky cliffs) Air damp (rain falls regularly; 20 inches per year) Rain and elevation keep temperature cooler Riverbeds cut through mountains and fill with water
Geographical features of the Arabian Peninsula: Desert
Summer temperatures high of 120 F Winter and nighttime temperatures freezing Annual rainfall doesn't surpass 3-4 inches - major droughts Swept by wind storms constantly changing the landscape Sand dunes rise up to 800ft
explain the relationship between the Hadith and the Sunnah
Sunnah are certain example of what Muhammad said/did in his life during a certain situation; the Hadith is the book that contains many examples of what Muhammad said/did in certain situations(many Sunnahs)
Why did the Bedouin people fear the message that Muhammad shared?
The Bedouin people feared that as this message grew stronger, he would seize political power Makkah leaders did not want to share their wealth
What is the kaaba? Where is it located? Why is this location important in Islam?
The Ka'aba is a cube-shaped shrine Located in Mecca This is where tribes would go to worship and store their idols for safekeeping Its location is important because that is where Muhammad was born
What was the FIRST MAJOR message that Muhammad spoke of?
There is only one God
Lifestyle of the Bedouins
There wasn't much rain so Bedouins had to roam to find water and grass for animals They couldn't depend on one area for certain resources Most of the Arabian Peninsula was desert so living conditions were harsh, dangerous, and unpredictable The Arabian Desert is the largest sand desert in the world Desert area forced people to be nomadic Oases areas forced people to be sedentary
Why did Muhammad travel to Yathrib?
They had deadly clan rivalries and desperately need a peacemaker to settle their disputes Muhammad had a reputation of being a good mediator of disputes: he was known as being trustworthy and was given the Al-Almin (the trusted one) The people of Yathrib agreed to give Muhammad a safe refuge for his people who were being threatened by the people of Mecca.
How did "FAITH" bound his followers together? How did prayer contribute to this?
They shared belief in Muhammad's teaching of praising only one God The passionate belief in their faith bonded them because the Muslims fought with confidence that God's will which was guiding them Prayers contributed to this because Muslims pray together as a community in unison
Explain the "democratic" nature of the Bedouin
They were "fiercely democratic" They feared one person gaining too much power This caused the creation of the Tribal Council (elders) which made important decisions
What was the social structure/hierarchy of the Bedouin?
Top class: Shaykh (Elder: A leader who's opinion matters most in the Tribal Council) and his family Second class: Warriors and their families Third class: General population (Poets, herders) Bottom class: Slaves
Why was poetry/story-telling important to the Bedouins?
Very few could read and write The Bedouin who preformed and shared poetry and stories were proud of their personal honor and independence their culture stories of their ancestors
What does the term Muslim mean?
one who surrenders to God
Why did rivalries sometimes exist between Bedouin tribes?
when tribes stole or raided one another, a rivalry would form. They would have fights over resources, such as water.