Midterm Flashcards
Arabic
The language of the Qur’an, central to Islamic religious practice and scholarship.
Byzantine Empire
The Eastern Roman Empire, which existed during the rise of Islam and was a significant Christian power that interacted and often conflicted with early Islamic empires.
Sasanian Empire
The last pre-Islamic Persian empire, which was a major rival to the Byzantine Empire and played a significant role in the history of early Islamic expansion.
Pre-Islamic Arabia
Refers to the period in Arabian history before the emergence of Islam, often described as the “age of ignorance” or Jahiliyya in Islamic literature.
Umayyad Caliphate
The first major Islamic caliphate (661–750 CE), which ruled after the Rashidun caliphs and expanded the Islamic empire significantly. It was centered in Damascus.
ʿAbbasid Caliphate
The caliphate that succeeded the Umayyads (750–1258 CE), with its capital in Baghdad. Known for significant cultural and intellectual advancements, especially during its early period.
Ottoman Empire
The empire that controlled much of Southeastern Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa from the late 13th century until the early 20th century. It was one of the largest and most enduring empires in Islamic history.
Islam
The monotheistic religion founded on the revelations given to the Prophet Muhammad, emphasizing submission to the will of God (Allah).
Muslim
A follower of Islam who submits to the will of God.
Pillars of Faith
The six core beliefs in Islam: belief in God, angels, prophets, revealed scriptures, the Day of Judgment, and predestination.
Pillars of Islam
The five acts of worship that define Muslim practice: declaration of faith (Shahāda), prayer (ṣalāt), almsgiving (zakāt), fasting during Ramadan, and pilgrimage (ḥajj).
Shahāda
The Islamic declaration of faith, which states, “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.”
Prayer (ṣalāt)
The ritual prayers performed five times a day by Muslims facing the Kaʿba in Mecca.
Zakāt
The mandatory charitable donation or alms-giving, which is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Fasting
The practice of abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs during daylight hours in the month of Ramadan.
Pilgrimage (ḥajj)
The pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim must undertake at least once in their lifetime, if they are physically and financially able.
Discursive tradition
The concept in Islamic studies referring to the ongoing conversation and interpretation of Islamic teachings, texts, and practices across generations.
Islamic
Related to or characteristic of Islam or its adherents.
Qurʾan
The holy scripture of Islam, believed to be the literal word of God as revealed to Muhammad.
Sūra
A chapter of the Qur’an; there are 114 suras, which vary in length.
Sīra
The biographies of the Prophet Muhammad, detailing his life and actions.
Āya
A verse of the Qur’an.
Tawḥīd
The belief in the oneness of God, a central tenet of Islamic theology.
God (Allah)
The singular, all-powerful deity in Islam, worshiped as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.
Revelation
The divine communication of God’s will to prophets, particularly through the Qur’an in the case of Muhammad.
Recitation
The oral delivery of the Qur’an, which is an essential aspect of Islamic worship and tradition.
Medinan verses
Qur’anic verses revealed in Medina, focusing on legal, social, and political issues.
Meccan verses
Qur’anic verses revealed in Mecca, primarily dealing with theological and spiritual matters.
Prophet
A messenger chosen by God to convey divine guidance; in Islam, Muhammad is the final prophet.
Muhammad
The founder of Islam and the last prophet in a long line of messengers from God.
Occasions of revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl)
Specific events or circumstances that prompted the revelation of certain Qur’anic verses.
God’s 99 names/attributes
Descriptive names for God that convey His attributes, like “The Merciful” and “The All-Powerful.”
Ḥadīth
The recorded sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad, second only to the Qur’an in Islamic tradition.
Kaʿba
The cuboid structure located in Mecca, considered the holiest site in Islam, toward which Muslims pray.
Hijra
Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
Jihad/mujahid
Jihad refers to striving in the way of God, and a mujahid is someone engaged in this effort, whether spiritually or in defense of Islam.
Medina
The city that welcomed Muhammad and his followers after the hijra, becoming the center of the early Muslim community.
Mecca
The birthplace of Muhammad and the holiest city in Islam.
Abu Talib
Muhammad’s uncle who provided him protection during the early years of his prophetic mission.
Khadija
Muhammad’s first wife and the first person to convert to Islam.