Islam

Question 1

Arabia

Answer 1

Arabia, peninsular region, together with offshore islands, located in the extreme southwestern corner of Asia.

Question 2

Mecca

Answer 2

Mecca is the capital of Mecca Province in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia and the holiest city in Islam.

Question 3

Muhammad

Answer 3

Muhammad was an Arab religious, social, and political leader and the founder of Islam.

Question 4

Islam

Answer 4

Islam is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion centered on the Quran and the teachings of Muhammad, the religion’s founder.

Question 5

The Qur’an

Answer 5

The Qur’an, also Romanized Qur’an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation from God.

Question 6

The Five Pillars

Answer 6

The Five Pillars are the core beliefs and practices of Islam:

Profession of Faith (shahada). The belief that “There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God” is central to Islam. …

Prayer (salat). Muslims pray facing Mecca five times a day: at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and after dark. …

Alms (zakat). …

Fasting (sawm). …

Pilgrimage (hajj)

Question 7

Mehmed II the Conqueror

Answer 7

Mehmed II, the Conqueror (ca. 1432-1481) was a Turkish sultan who conquered Constantinople and ruthlessly consolidated and enlarged the Ottoman Empire with a military crusade into Asia and Europe.

Question 8

The Ottoman Empire

Answer 8

The Ottoman Empire was founded in Anatolia, the location of modern-day Turkey. Grew to be one of the most powerful states in the world during the 15th and 16th centuries.