The Muslim Empire Flashcards
Where did the Islamic empire begin?
The Arabian Peninsula
What is the land of the Arabian Peninsula like?
Desert with small strips of fertile land
Who were the first people to live on the Arabian peninsula? How did they organize themselves?
the bedouins, into tribes made up of clans
How did they connect with other parts of the world?
Through major trade routes
What was Ka’aba?
An shrine in Mecca
Who was Muhammad?
A major prophet of the Muslim faith who was contacted by the angel Gabriel who spoke for Allah
What is the meaning of “Islam” in Arabic?
submission to the will of Allah
What is the meaning of “Muslim” in Arabic?
one who has submitted
What was the Hijrah to Yathrib?
Muhammads migration of Yathrib after being driven from Mecca
What was Yathrib re-named?
Medina
What was the Umma?
the Muslim religious community
What are the 5 pillars of Islam?
- Faith 2. Prayer 3. Alms 4. Fasting 5. Pilgrimage
What is unique about Islam different from other religions?
No official ‘clergy’, only a religious scholar called Ulama
What is the Qu’ran?
the holy book of Islam, a collection of revelations from Muhammad and Gabriel
What is the sunna?
Muhammad’s example of living an Islamic life
What is the shari’a?
law that regulates Muslim life
Who was Abu-Bakr?
The first Caliph
What is Jihad?
Holy war/conquering used to spread religion (conquering the enemies of Allah
Who were the Umayyads?
The family that took over after Abu-Bakr
What is the difference between the Shi’a and the Sunni?
Shi’a believe that the Caliph needs to be a direct descendant of Muhammad, and Sunni believe that the leader merely should follow Muhammad’s example
Who were the Abbasids?
The family that overthrew the Umayyads in 750 and took control
What did Abd al Rahim establish?
An Umayyad caliphate with the Berbus in Spain
What happened at the Battle of Tours?
Abd al Rahim’s expansion into Europe was stopped
Abbasids moved the Muslim capital to…
Baghdad
