Non -Western & Islamic Worlds Flashcards
(33 cards)
What years mark the life of Muhammad?
C. 570 - 632 AD
What event marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar?
The Hegira (Hijra) - year 622 AD
What significant division occurred in 632-661 after Muhammad’s death?
The beginning of the division leading to Sunni and Shiah Muslim sects.
What is the estimated number of Muslims worldwide?
Roughly over 1 billion Muslims (c. 4 times the population of the U.S.)
What does the term ‘Islam’ mean?
‘Submission’
Where is the geographical origin of Islam?
The Arabian Peninsula
Is Islam a united, monolithic entity?
No, Islam is not a united, monolithic entity.
What are the key texts that guide the Muslim community?
Hadith, Sunnah, and Shariah
What is Hadith?
Reports of the words and deeds of Muhammad and other early Muslims.
The body of authentic Hadith reports is considered to embody the Sunnah (custom/example) of the prophet Muhammad
What is Sunnah?
Established custom, typically based on Muhammad’s example.
What is Shariah?
Ideal Islamic law.
What caused the split in Islam?
Disagreement over Muhammad’s successor.
What principle did Sunnis uphold regarding leadership?
The caliph (leader) owed his position to the consent of the Islamic community.
The majority part in Islam
Who do Shiah (Shiites) Muslims believe should lead?
Only Muhammad’s descendants (kinsmen).
Identified with Muhammad’s cousin/son in law Ali (4th caliph )
Saw Ali as possessing a spiritual endowment directly from Muhammad
Who is the 4th caliph associated with Shiah Islam?
Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law.
What is the Kabba?
A shrine in Mecca.
Where are large Muslim communities?
In the 10/40 window
What was Muhammad’s initial source of wealth?
Muhammad was involved in caravan trade and obtained enough capital to become independently wealthy.
What significant event occurred in Muhammad’s life involving the Angel Gabriel?
According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad had a vision of the Angel Gabriel, during which he heard a voice telling him he is the ‘Messenger of God.’
What is the Hegira (Hijra) in Islamic history?
The Hegira (or Hijra) refers to Muhammad’s journey, which becomes the starting year for the Muslim calendar.
What did Muhammad do upon marching on Mecca?
He destroyed the pagan idols in the Kabba and rededicated the shrine to Islam.
Who was Abu Bakr and what did he do?
Abu Bakr was the first Caliph. He launched wars that dramatically expanded the Islamic world.
What is a caliph?
The caliph (successor) was the leader of the Muslim community.
What was the Umayyad dynasty’s significance?
The Umayyad Muslim dynasty began when Ali, the 4th caliph, was challenged by the Syrian governor Muawiya, leading to the caliphate being controlled by Muawiya’s family & known as the Umayyads after Ali was killed
