early history

Question 1

Who began to write down the history of the Prophet Muhammad？

Answer 1

ibn Ishaq

then after Ibn Hashem Who later edited and refined Ishaq’s work Omitting certain parts, and adding his own commentary and clarifications.

Question 2

In AD 610 who first spoke to the Prophet Muhammad?

Answer 2

The angel Gabriel, who also spoke to Daniel and The Virgin Mary.

Question 3

The pagan block of stone located in Mecca.

Answer 3

The ka’ba.

Question 4

What was the destination of Muhammad known as Yathrib?

Answer 4

An oasis to the north of Mecca

Question 5

What were the main ethnic groups residing in Yathrib?

Answer 5

Jewish and Arab settlers

Question 6

What issue plagued the tribes living in Yathrib?

Answer 6

Savage feuding and perpetual bloodshed

Question 7

What ultimately happened to the name Yathrib?

Answer 7

It was erased from the map

Question 8

What name was given to Yathrib after Muhammad’s arrival?

Answer 8

The City of the Prophet or Madinat an-Nabi

Known in the west as Medina.

Question 9

True or False: Medina was originally known as Yathrib.

Answer 9

True

Question 10

What significant event took place in 632 related to paganism in Arabia?

Answer 10

Paganism in Arabia had everywhere been put in shadow

This marks the decline of pagan practices in favor of Islam.

Question 11

What was the traditional date of Muhammad’s death?

Answer 11

632

This date is widely recognized in Islamic tradition.

Question 12

What major event occurred two years before Muhammad’s death?

Answer 12

The conquest of Mecca

This event was pivotal in the establishment of Islam in the region.

Question 13

What did Muhammad order regarding the Ka’ba upon entering Mecca?

Answer 13

He ordered the Ka’ba stripped of its gods

This action symbolized the rejection of paganism and the establishment of monotheism.

Question 14

True or False: The conquest of Mecca happened after the death of Muhammad.

Answer 14

False

The conquest occurred two years prior to his death.

Question 15

Who could be reckoned to have practiced ‘the authentic monotheism’?

Answer 15

Those who had heard the Prophet talk, ridden by his side, or served him as his Sahabah

Sahabah means ‘Companions’ in Arabic, referring to the close companions of the Prophet Muhammad.

Question 16

What significant achievement did the generation that buried the Prophet accomplish?

Answer 16

They embarked upon the conquest of the world and achieved it

This refers to the early Islamic conquests following the death of Muhammad.

Question 17

What are the leaders who presided over the early Islamic victories called?

Answer 17

Caliphs or ‘Successors’ of the Prophet

Caliphs were the political and religious leaders in the Muslim community following Muhammad’s death.

Question 18

Who was the first Caliph and what was his relationship to the Prophet?

Answer 18

Abu Bakr; he was a companion during the flight to Medina and the father of Muhammad’s favorite wife

Abu Bakr played a crucial role in early Islam and was a close friend of Muhammad.

Question 19

Who was the second Caliph and what was his relationship to the Prophet?

Answer 19

Umar; he was the Prophet’s brother-in-law

Umar is known for his strong leadership and administrative skills.

Question 20

Who was the third Caliph and what was his relationship to the Prophet?

Answer 20

Uthman; he was married to one of Muhammad’s daughters

Uthman is noted for compiling the Quran into a single book.

Question 21

Who was the fourth Caliph and what notable aspects of his life are highlighted?

Answer 21

Ali ibn Abi Talib; he was the first male to convert to Islam, the Prophet’s cousin, and son-in-law

Ali is revered in both Sunni and Shia Islam for his close relationship with Muhammad.

Question 22

Fill in the blank: The first male ever to convert to Islam was _______.

Answer 22

Ali ibn Abi Talib

Ali’s conversion at the age of nine highlights his early commitment to Islam.

Question 23

What significant event marked the end of the Rashidun era?

Answer 23

The murder of Caliph Ali in 661

The Rashidun era is known for its rapid expansion and the establishment of the first caliphate.

Question 24

What happened two decades after the murder of Caliph Ali?

Answer 24

His son was cut down in battle

This event reflects the ongoing violence and turmoil within the early Islamic community.

Question 25

Who were the rulers that followed the Rashidun era?

Answer 25

The Umayyads

The Umayyad dynasty is known for its expansion and consolidation of power in the Caliphate.

Question 26

What is the significance of the phrase ‘lips that had kissed the Prophet’?

Answer 26

It refers to the lineage of Ali and his family

This phrase highlights the deep respect and connection to the Prophet Muhammad that Ali’s family held.

Question 27

What does the phrase ‘age of iron’ imply in the context of this historical narrative?

Answer 27

A period of decline and hardship following a golden age

This reflects the cyclical nature of history, where prosperity is often followed by strife.

Question 28

Fill in the blank: The Umayyads were a dynasty of ______ despots.

Answer 28

Qurayshi

The Quraysh tribe was the tribe of the Prophet Muhammad, and the Umayyads were a prominent clan within it.

Question 29

True or False: The Umayyads were welcomed by all factions of early Islam.

Answer 29

False

The Umayyads faced significant opposition and scandal among the God-fearing factions of the Islamic community.

Question 30

What do the hadiths represent in relation to Muhammad’s biography?

Answer 30

They are a record of the Prophet’s entire outlook on life

This highlights the significance of hadiths beyond mere quotations.

Question 31

What do hadiths embody beyond an anthology of quotations?

Answer 31

An exceptional body of law

This law touches upon every conceivable facet of human existence.

Question 32

What term do hadith scholars use to refer to the body of law embodied in hadiths?

Answer 32

Sunna

Sunna refers to the practices and teachings of Muhammad.

Question 33

True or False: The hadiths leave many aspects of human existence unregulated.

Answer 33

False

The hadiths regulate almost every conceivable facet of human existence.

Question 34

Fill in the blank: The hadiths were preserved for the _______ of later generations.

Answer 34

edification

Edification refers to the instruction or improvement of a person morally or intellectually.

Question 35

What did the Muslim people know about miracles?

Answer 35

There had been only the one transcendent miracle

This refers to the belief in the unique nature of the revelation received by Muhammad.

Question 36

How were the revelations received by Muhammad preserved?

Answer 36

Written down by his followers and assembled after his death

This process was crucial for the formation of the Qur’an.

Question 37

What is the term for the compilation of revelations received by Muhammad?

Answer 37

Qur’an

The Qur’an is considered the holy book of Islam.

Question 38

Fill in the blank: The Qur’an is a _______.

Answer 38

recitation

The term ‘recitation’ emphasizes the oral tradition of the Qur’an’s transmission.

Question 39

Who was the third Caliph responsible for preserving the word of God?

Answer 39

Uthman

It is widely believed that during the time of Uthman. The Quran was formed.

Question 40

How long after the death of the Prophet Did the rule of the caliphs come to an end?

Answer 40

30 years.

Question 41

What are tafsirs?

Answer 41

Tafsirs are commentaries that provide a roadmap for understanding the Qur’an.

They help trace the stages of revelation received by Muhammad.

Question 42

What is necessary to understand the precise stages of the Qur’an’s revelation?

Answer 42

Reading the Qur’an with a commentary (tafsir) is necessary.

This allows for distinguishing between revelations in Mecca and Medina.

Question 43

True or False: The Qur’an alone provides a clear and comprehensive understanding of the Prophet Muhammad’s life.

Answer 43

False.

The Qur’an’s density and allusiveness make it necessary to consult tafsirs for a complete understanding.

Question 44

refers to the practices, teachings, and examples set by the Prophet Muhammad. It encompasses his sayings, actions, approvals, and personal characteristics, serving as a model for Muslims to emulate in their daily lives

Answer 44

The Sunna

Question 45

The Sunnah provides

Answer 45

detailed explanations and contexts for Quranic verses, aiding in their proper understanding and implementation.

Source of Legislation: It serves as a source of law, offering guidance on matters not explicitly covered in the Quran.

Moral and Ethical Guidance: The Prophet’s conduct, as recorded in the Sunnah, offers a moral framework for Muslims to follow

Question 46

How long did it take for scholars of the Sunna to agree on the nature of the Qur’an?

Answer 46

Six hundred long years

Question 47

Was the Qur’an considered created or uncreated by the scholars of the Sunna?

Answer 47

Uncreated

Question 48

True or False: Scholars of the Sunna viewed the Qur’an as a reflection of God.

Answer 48

False

Question 49

The nature of the Qur’an was described as __________, not a reflection of God.

Answer 49

Divine

Question 50

“We have revealed the Reminder, and We are its Guardian” (Qur’an, 15:9).

What does this mean?

Answer 50

This verse highlights the divine origin and preservation of the Qur’an, affirming that it is safeguarded from alteration or distortion.

Furthermore, Islamic scholars have elaborated on this concept by explaining that the Qur’an is not a reflection or representation of God but His actual speech. This perspective is essential to avoid anthropomorphism—the attribution of human characteristics to God—and to uphold the belief in God’s transcendence and incomparability.