Islamic Civilization
Who do Muslims believe Jesus was?
A prophet, not the son of God
Division of Islam: Opposition to Ali as Caliph
Aisha, along with her forces, opposed Ali as Caliph.
Who was Muhammad's favorite wife?
Aisha.
Division of Islam: Assassination of Ali
Ali was assassinated in An-Najaf, Iraq, leading to a split in Islam.
What happened to Muhammad's parents?
He was orphaned at age 6
Who were the group of people living in Medina that refused to accept Muhammad as their religious leader?
Jews
Who do Jews and Muslims descend from?
Jews from Isaac, Muslims from Ishmael
What were the spirits called in Arab belief?
Jinns
Which clan did Muhammad belong to?
Hashim Clan of the Quraysh Tribe
What is the Hadith?
A guide for Muslims to live by.
What is an oasis?
A place with water in the desert
How many days are in the Islamic Calendar?
354 days
When and where was Muhammad born?
570 in Hejaz, Arabia
When does the Islamic Calendar begin?
622 AD
When were Muhammad and his followers driven out of Mecca?
622 AD
When did Muhammad's followers conquer Mecca?
630 AD
Who is Ibrahim?
Abraham
Who did Muhammad claim to be in line with?
Abraham, Moses, and Jesus
Division of Islam: Battle of the Camel
Aisha's forces were defeated by the Shi Atu Ali (Shi'ites) at the Battle of the Camel.
Division of Islam: Fourth Caliph
Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, became the fourth Caliph.
Who did their daughter Fatima marry?
Ali, son of Abu Talib
What is the voluntary act of giving charity to the poor called?
Alms (charity).
Reason for Islam's expansion: Population increase in Arabia
Arabia's growing population contributed to the spread of Islam.
Where did Islam begin?
Arabian Peninsula
Who did not have to pay taxes in conquered areas?
Arabs and Mawali
How was society re-arranged in conquered areas?
Arabs on top
Reason for Islam's expansion: Discontent with land in Arabia
Arabs sought new territories due to the mostly desert landscape in Arabia.
How often are Muslims expected to make the Hajj?
At least once in their lifetime.
What happened in 619?
Both Khadija and Abu Talib died
What did Muhammad insist on being?
Both the religious and political leader
What trade was Muhammad involved in as a young man?
Caravan trade
What are the five times Muslims must pray?
Dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, evening, and night.
What did Muhammad do to the Jews living in Medina?
Drove them out of the city, killing several hundred
When do Muslims fast during the holy month of Ramadan?
From sunrise to sunset everyday.
What is the pilgrimage to Mecca called?
Hajj.
What is the emigration of Muhammad and his followers called?
Hegira
Who did Muhammad live with after being orphaned?
His uncle Abu Talib, leader of the Hashim Clan
What is jihad?
Holy war.
When did Muhammad receive a visit from the angel Jabril?
In 610
Where are prayer services held on Fridays?
In a Mosque.
What is the religion founded by Muhammad called?
Islam
What does the Hegira mark the beginning of?
Islamic Calendar
Who did Muhammad marry?
Khadija, a wealthy widow
What is the book that contains Muhammad's teachings called?
Koran (Qur'an)
Who were the rulers called Caliphs?
Leaders of the Umma (community of believers).
What was the significance of the city of Mecca?
Major trade and religious center
What is the name of the city that was renamed to 'City of the Prophet'?
Medina
Who leads prayer services on Fridays?
Men called Imams.
What are the towers called where the call to prayer is issued?
Minarets.
Division of Islam: Muawiyah becomes Caliph
Muawiyah became Caliph and established the Umayyad Caliphate.
Division of Islam: Capital moved to Damascus
Muawiyah moved the capital from Medina to Damascus in Syria.
Division of Islam: Serious opposition to Ali from Muawiyah
Muawiyah, Othman's cousin and governor of Syria, strongly opposed Ali as Caliph.
Who were the first four caliphs related to?
Muhammad through blood or marriage.
What was the age difference between Muhammad and Khadija?
Muhammad was younger
What is a follower of Islam called?
Muslim
How many times a day do Muslims pray?
Muslims pray five times a day.
Who was the new leader of the Hashim Clan?
N/A
Who were the mawali?
Newly converted
Does Islam have a priesthood?
No.
Who gained control over the trade routes in Arabia?
Nomadic Bedouins
When did the Battle of Tours take place?
October 10, 732
Who were the dhimmi?
Peoples of the book (Jews and Christians)
What was the religion of the Arabs before Islam?
Polytheism
What is the most important duty for Muslims?
Prayer five times a day facing Mecca.
What did the angel command Muhammad to do?
Preach to the people of Mecca
Who is exempt from fasting during Ramadan?
Pregnant women and the sick.
Who founded Islam?
Prophet Muhammad
Reason for Islam's expansion: Religious disagreements in the Eastern Empire
Religious conflicts in the Eastern Empire made people more open to adopting a new religion like Islam.
What does Islam accept as holy scriptures?
Scriptures of Judaism and Christianity
Shi'ites' belief on leadership and interpretation of the Koran
Shi'ites believe that the right to lead and interpret the Koran should go to a descendant of Ali.
How many children did Muhammad and Khadija have?
Six
Who were at the bottom of society in conquered areas?
Slaves
Is jihad considered a pillar of Islam?
Some Muslims consider it to be.
Where were the Arabs forced back into?
Spain
What did Muhammad offer to the people of Mecca if they converted?
Spare their lives
What did Muhammad say was the only way to salvation?
Submit to Allah's will
What are the ways and sayings of the Prophet called?
Sunna and Hadith.
Largest group in Islam today
Sunnites are the largest group in Islam.
Sunnites' belief on leadership and interpretation of the Koran
Sunnites believe that anyone can lead and interpret the Koran.
Who invaded France?
The Arabs
Umayyad Caliphate: Failed attempts to capture Constantinople
The Arabs attacked Constantinople twice but were unsuccessful.
Umayyad Caliphate: Invasion of Spain in 711
The Arabs invaded Spain in 711.
Umayyad Caliphate: Conquest of part of India and all of North Africa
The Arabs successfully conquered part of India and all of North Africa.
Reason for Islam's expansion: Arabs as excellent soldiers
The Arabs' prowess in battle, coupled with the promise of instant reward in Heaven, contributed to the spread of Islam.
What were people coming to see in Mecca?
The Black Rock and the Kaaba
Who stopped the Arabs at the Battle of Tours?
The Germanic Franks
Umayyad Caliphate: Formation of a permanent army and navy
The Umayyads established a permanent army and navy, funded by taxing non-believers.
Reason for Islam's expansion: Weakened Byzantine and Sassanid Empires
The fighting between the Byzantine and Sassanid Empires left them vulnerable to Arab conquest.
Were there Jewish and Christian communities in Arabia?
Yes, brought in by trade
Division of Islam: Split into Sunnites and Shi'ites
The killing of Al-Husayn caused the final split of Islam into Sunnites and Shi'ites.
What is an important source of guidance for Muslims after the Koran?
The life of the Prophet.
Division of Islam: Feud between Hashim and Umayyad Clans
The ongoing feud between the Hashim and Umayyad Clans persisted.
What is the Koran considered as?
The word of Allah
Were the Caliphs both religious and political leaders?
Yes.
What happened to most of their children?
They died young
When did Muhammad and his followers make the Hegira?
Thursday, June 17 to Friday, July 2, 622
What was the basic social unit in Arabia?
Tribe
Why were trade routes diverted through Arabia in the 500s?
Wars between Byzantine Empire and Sassanid Persian Empire
Where did Muhammad and his followers go after leaving Mecca?
Yathrib
Division of Islam: Killing of Al-Husayn
Yazid, Muawiyah's son, killed Ali's son Al-Husayn in Karbala, Iraq.
