Exam 1 - Short Answers

Question 1

What is the foundation of the religion of Islam?

Answer 1

the belief that “There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God”

Question 2

Who is Muhammad?

Answer 2

he was a prophet divinely inspired to preach and confirm the monotheistic teachings

Question 3

How does Muhammad’s teachings and practices influenced Islamic art and architecture?

Answer 3

it influences Islamic are and architecture through calligraphy. the Qur’an, written in elegant scripts, represents Allah’s or God’s divine word, which Muhammad received directly from Allah during his visions

Question 4

Identify the Five Pillars of Islam

Answer 4

• 1)Profession of Faith
  “There is no God but God and Muhammad is his messenger”
• 2) Prayer
  5 times a day – can be done anywhere – private or in a mosque, kneeling in direction towards Mecca.
• 3) Alms
  Giving to the less fortunate.
• 4) Fasting
  During holy month of Ramadan
• 5) Pilgrimage (hajj)
  Traveling to Mecca in person.

Question 5

What’s the difference between Sunni and Shia branches of
Islam?

Answer 5

shia’s believe that Ali and his descendants are part of a divine order whereas; sunni’s are opposed to political succession based on Muhammed’s bloodline

Question 6

Identify the chief CHARACTERISTICS of Islamic art & decoration

Answer 6

• kufic

Question 7

Why does Islamic art has these chief characteristics?

Answer 7

• can’t do figural representations in art

Question 8

Identify the chief INFLUENCES on Islamic art & decoration

Answer 8

• byzantine/roman/christian

Question 9

What’s the intersection of Christian and Muslim influences in art and architecture of the Islamic world?

Answer 9

• mosque of cordoba