Chapter 8 (Islamic World Through 1450)

Question 1

Muhammad

Answer 1

The last of several prophets that spread Islam under Allah. Lived in the desert lands of the Arabian Peninsula

Question 2

Bedouins

Answer 2

A group of nomadic, tribal, and polytheistic peoples. Well established in the Arabian Peninsula

Question 3

Polygyny

Answer 3

When a man has more than one wife at a time, typically to care for widows whose husbands died in raids or warfare. Was allowed among Bedouins

Question 4

Allah

Answer 4

Supreme deity, “God” in Islam religion, Bedouins worshiped this deity

Question 5

Mecca

Answer 5

City in Saudi Arabia, the Kaaba with the Black Stone is located here

Question 6

Quran

Answer 6

Means “recitation”, A collection of revelations Muhammad experienced that he attributed to an angel of the deity Allah. They were collected by those who heard his message

Question 7

Medina

Answer 7

The city Muhammad and his followers fled to after being persecuted by religious leaders for spreading his ideas. He formed the first Muslim community here.

Question 8

Hegira

Answer 8

The journey of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina

Question 9

Kaaba

Answer 9

The building that housed the sacred black stone, declared a shrine of Islam by Muhammad

Question 10

People of the Book

Answer 10

Jews and Christian’s as regarded by Muslims, showed great respect towards them because they were also a monotheistic faith that honored Abraham and other prophets

Question 11

Five Pillars

Answer 11

A core set of obligations in Islam: believe only in Allah, pray 5 times daily, give alms to the poor, fast during the month of Ramadan, make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime

Question 12

Jihad

Answer 12

Controversial principle of Islam, the concept of the struggle to strive in the way of Allah and to improve oneself and society. Many view this as an inner struggle, others as a requirement to go to war to preserve and extend Islam

Question 13

Shariah

Answer 13

Islamic code of law that outlines behavioral requirements for daily life. Developed by Muslim scholars after Muhammad’s death

Question 14

Caliph

Answer 14

Head of state, the first caliph was Abu Bakr

Question 15

Abu Bakr

Answer 15

Muhammad’s father in law, first caliph, responsible for guiding the Islamic world in accordance with the dictates of the Quran

Question 16

Ali

Answer 16

Muhammad’s cousin and son in law, lost dispute with Abu Bakr and became fourth caliph

Question 17

Sunnis

Answer 17

Supporters of Abu Bakr

Question 18

Shiites/Shia

Answer 18

Supporters of Ali, consider Ali as the first true caliph

Question 19

Dar al-Islam

Answer 19

Refers to all of Islam culture, including the Sunnis and Shia

Question 20

Umayyad Dynasty

Answer 20

A network of merchants from Mecca, with the help of capable generals and strong armies, assumed power and formed this dynasty. Controlled the largest territory since the Roman Empire. Moved its capital to Damascus where it governed approximately 90 years

Question 21

Damascus

Answer 21

Capital of Umayyad. Here, they governed for about 90 years

Question 22

Imam

Answer 22

followers of Ali who resisted the Umayyad leaders, and developed Shia political and religious components. Their community leader known as this

Question 23

Abbasids

Answer 23

Took over Damascus jn 750, founded a new city for their capital, Baghdad

Question 24

Baghdad

Answer 24

Capital of Abbasids, an ideal spot for trade which caused it to grow in wealth and population. Became a center of learning and represented “golden age” of learning

Question 25

Viziers

Answer 25

Prime ministers in Abbasid dynasty, who would communicate the will of the ruler to the people

Question 26

Mamluks

Answer 26

A Turkic group that originated from Egypt, formally military slaves. Took control of Egypt and established an empire across North Africa.

Question 27

Sultan

Answer 27

Leader of the Seljuk Turks, reduced the Abbasid caliph to the role of chief Sunni religious authority

Question 28

Córdoba

Answer 28

The Umayyads chose this as their capital for Spain.

Question 29

Battle of Tours

Answer 29

Islamic military lost this battle against Frankish forces in 732. Marked the limit of rapid Islamic expansion into Western Europe

Question 30

Dhows

Answer 30

Ships that had long, thin hulls making them excellent for carrying goods, many goods for trade placed in these ships

Question 31

Alhambra

Answer 31

An impressive palace and fortress complex built outside present-day Grenada

Question 32

Ibn Rushd

Answer 32

A famous scholar from Spain (known as Averroes in Europe), wrote works on law, secular philosophy, and natural sciences

Question 33

Omar Khayyám

Answer 33

Persian writer, wrote The Rubaiyat, created works well known today

Question 34

Hijab

Answer 34

The practice under Islam of dressing modestly or a specific type of covering.

Question 35

Female infanticide

Answer 35

The killing of newborn girls, made forbidden under Muhammad

Question 36

Harem

Answer 36

A dwelling set aside for wives, concubines, and the children of these women

Question 37

Sufis

Answer 37

Islamic groups, notable for their shaved heads. Followed rituals and ecstatic chants in attempts to unite with God. Emphasized introspection to grasp truths that they believed couldn’t be understood through learning