Crash Course World History - Islam

Flashcards covering the key vocabulary and concepts discussed in the Crash Course World History video about Islam.

Islam

A religion that, like Christianity and Judaism, grew up on the east coast of the Mediterranean.

Muhammad

A 7th-century caravan trader to whom the angel Gabriel appeared, instructing him to recite the word of God and become a prophet.

Quraysh

The tribe to which Muhammad belonged, residing in Mecca during the 7th century.

Kaaba

A temple-like structure in Mecca where cult statues of gods were collected.

Radical Reforming Religion

A term describing Islam, as it sought to restore Abrahamic monotheism like Jesus and Moses.

Quran

The written record of the revelations Muhammad received, considered the actual word of God.

Five Pillars of Islam

Basic acts considered obligatory for Sunni Muslims: Shahada (profession of faith), Salat (ritual prayer), Sawm (fasting), Zakat (almsgiving), and Hajj (pilgrimage).

Shahada

The profession of the Islamic faith: "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is God’s prophet."

Salat

Ritual prayer performed five times a day in Islam: at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and late evening.

Sawm

The month-long fast during Ramadan in which Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, and smoking during daylight hours.

Zakat

Almsgiving in Islam, where non-poor Muslims are required to donate a percentage of their income to the poor.

Hajj

The pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims must try to fulfill at least once in their lives, if they are healthy and have sufficient means.

Hadith

A collection of sayings and stories about the Prophet Muhammad, serving as supplementary sacred texts in Islam.

Sharia

A body of Islamic law with numerous competing interpretations.

Umma

The community of believers in Islam, surpassing tribal ties.

Hijra

Muhammad's journey from Mecca to Yithrab (Medina) in 622 CE, marking year 0 in the Islamic calendar.

Caliph

The political leader of the Islamic community after Muhammad's death.

Abu Bakr

Muhammad's father-in-law and the first caliph, who stabilized the community and began recording the Quran.

Sunni and Shi'a

The two major sects of Islam, divided over the rightful successor to Muhammad after his death.

Rightly Guided Caliphs

The first four caliphs in Sunni Islam: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali.

Umayyads

The tribe that emerged as the ruling dynasty over the expanding Islamic Empire after the civil war.