Unit 2 Review Flashcards
Who was Muhammad
The chosen messenger of the word of Allah
what does al-Sira mean?
It is the Biography of the Messenger of God. It is a secondary source about the life and teachings of Muhammad. It may not be very accurate
What did Muhammad do?
-An Arab that claimed special divine revelation
-monotheistic message with strong apocalyptic elements
-Led Arabs in many battles
Mecca
Birthplace of Muhammad, born 570 AD (Year of the Elephant)
Explain al-Ka’ba
Means the cube. it is a pre-Islamic shrine in Mecca, supposedly built by Abraham and son Ishmael. It is the most sacred site in Islam.
Where does Muhammad receive first revelation?
On Mt. Hira around 610 CE when he was 40yrs old
Who is Khadija?
Muhammad’s first wife, married when she was 40 and he was 35. First convert to Islam, but her cousin (Waraqa) was a Christian. All of his surviving daughters were from this marriage.
Tawhid
radical one-ness of God, there is no other.
Shirk
the act of associating a created being with God that is associated with Mushrikun (associators or polytheists) which is the gravest sin in Islam.
Who was ‘Ali?
A cousin to Muhammad who married Muhammad’s daughter, Fatima, and became his son-in-law. The first male to convert to Islam. Important to Shi’ism.
The Hijrah meaning and importance
The journey of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina to escape the persecution of Muslims. 622 CE and marks 1 year of Islamic Calendar.
Medina meaning and importance
“City of the Prophet” where Muhammad established the Muslim community after fleeing Mecca. Where Muhammad was laid to rest.
Muhammad’s Battles in Medina
Battle of Badr
Battle of Uhud
Battle of the Trench (Khandaq)
The Conquest of Mecca
Muslims took over the city and Quraysh surrendered. The Ka’ba is cleansed of idols
Who was ‘A’isha?
Muhammad’s third and favorite wife.
She is the “Mother of the Believers”
Muhammad was 50, she was 9
Transmitted reports of Muhammad’s life
Dome of the Rock significance
For Judao-Chrsitians it marks where Abraham brought his son Issac to be sacrificed. For Muslims it is where Muhammad and angel Gabriel ascended into heaven
Sunni
The people of the tradition and the community
Muhammad did not declare who should lead Islamic faith
Shia
The party of Ali
Muhammad’s descendants should lead Islamic faith
Caliph
Commander of the believers
Why did the Sunni Shia split happen?
There were disagreements about who should succeed Muhammad as leader of the Islamic faith.
Meaning of Imam for Sunnis
Leader of prayer at a mosque
Meaning of Imam for Shiites
A descendent of Muhammad that possesses special knowledge and is designated to lead the community
Meaning of Caliph for Sunnis
primarily political and can be any male muslim
Meaning of Caliph for Shiites
Only Imam can be the Caliph
al-Qur’an
ultimate theophany, full revelation of God in God’s own words. The book is sacred and holy. Means the “Recitation”
How many surahs in the Qur’an
114 surahs (chapters) divided into ayas (verses)
Hafiz
Name given to someone who has memorized the entire Qur’an
Tajweed
Set of rules for the proper methodology for reciting the Qur’an, including emphasis and pronunciation of classic Arabic
Allah
The God
Fatwa
formal legal answer given by a recognized religious authority on a point about Islamic Law
What is Ramadan?
A strict fasting period during the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. It is believed that this month marks God giving Muhammad the Qur’an.
What is Shahada?
Profession of Faith and it is one of the 5 pillars of Islam.
Meaning of Hajj
To intent to journey. It is the pilgrimage to Mecca. One of the 5th pillars
Isnad
Chain of narrators of the Hadith
Hadith
What Muhammad said and did, also includes silent approval
Sunnah
The traditions and practices of Muhammad that serve as a guide for Muslims to follow.
Sufi
Means man of wool. Experience direct experience of Allah. Lack worldly pleasures
Shari’a
A code of living that Muslims must follow. Allah’s divine law
Mufti
Muslim legal expert (Jurist) that can give rulings on religious matters
Matn
Body of the report in Hadith
Salafism
Influential interpretation of Sunni Islam that originated in the 19th century that places emphasis on strict adherence to the earliest form of Islam. Oppose innovation and imitation (conforming to traditions or scholar other than prophet/salaf)
Sufism
Islamic mysticism. Spiritual path toward union with Allah
Jihad
Struggle, thriving
Greater Jihad
Struggle of soul, striving on the spiritual conquest
Lesser Jihad
Physical warfare
Jihadi
Islamist movements rooted in militant activism
5 Pillars of Islam
Hajj
Alms
Fasting
Prayer
Pilgrimage (Shahada)
